Mountain Skills 1 course, Glenmalure, Lugnaquilla, Co.Wicklow

Mountain Skills 1 and 2, is a nationally accredited course by the Mountain Training Board of Ireland and is delivered in an upland environment.

The aim of this course is to help you learn the skills you need to get out hiking:

independently, safely, responsibly in the mountains of Ireland, the UK and beyond.

You will learn how to navigate with confidence using a map, a compass and proper hiking equipment in any weather conditions during day time, in poor visibility or at night (MS2).

At the end of this course, you will have taken a big step forward in developing your own self-confidence and enjoyment in hiking.

However, some hiking experience is essential before joining the scheme but, you don’t need to be an expert.

Registration with Mountaineering Ireland is essential in order to take part in the mountain skills courses and the registration fee is € 22 which covers:

– Access to the full Mountain Skills Scheme (MS, MS2 and MS Assessment)

– A digital and/or paper Logbook setting out the scheme and allowing to track your progress

– A discounted Mountaineering Ireland membership fee of €35, if you wish to join at the time of registration.

Any explanation and information will be given to you on training day.

The courses cover.

Mountain Skills 1.

• Introduction and presentation of instructor and Mountaineering Ireland.
• Maps and Map’s scales
• Map reading, land and ground features
• Contours and contour lines
• Land features and ground features
• Navigation Legs
• Setting/orientating the map
• Simple navigation techniques
• Direction and Distance Estimation
• The 5 D’s
• Mountain Hazards: weather, human, topographic.
• Grid reference
• Timing and Pacing
• Introduction to compass
• Route planning
• Route card

Mountain Skills 2.

• Maps and map scales
• Contours and contour lines
• Timing and pacing
• Introduction to compass
• Compass bearing and magnetic variation
• Measuring a bearing from map by estimation
• Setting / orientating the map
• 3 methods for self-location
• Navigation Techniques
• Mountain Hypothermia
• Recognition and Treatment
• Emergency Procedures
• Treatment of casualty
• Late at night
• Safe movement skills
• Rivers and streams crossing

Each course is €120 / person, €100 for under 18 and small groups from 4 up to 6 people which includes:

Full course notes, tea breaks provided and a free hiking day practice.

Accommodations:

The indoor training location which is located in the Glenmalure Valley has a fully equipped kitchen, toilets and showers facilities, an area where you can dry out your hiking gears and camping facilities beside the Avon beg river for an extra €10.

In addition to this, Glenmalure offers accommodations in the area:

-The Glenmalure Lodge which offers fresh drinks and food!

-Coolalingo B&B

-The Cabins and few more.

About the course provider.

My name is Emmanuel Chappard . I’m originally from the French and Swiss Alps on my Dad’s side and as part of our DNA. We are from a small village near Chamonix called Nancy sur Cluse and I spent part of my childhood in Servoz and Chamonix 74 Haute-Savoie.

Hiking and rock climbing is nothing new to me as I have been hiking from the age of 9 in the Chamonix valley.

Since then, I have been involved in the scouts as a group leader and spent one year in the French army in Germany as it was a compulsory duty at the time.

I have been living in Ireland since 1994 and I work as a woodwork teacher.

I’m a fully qualified mountain leader and a course director for Mountaineering Ireland and the UK. I’m fully insured, Garda vetted and I hold a Rec 3 first aid. I have been actively hiking ever since in the Alps (France, Germany, Austria and Italy) the Pyrenees, Scandinavia, the Czech Republic, in Canada and the US.

In addition to this, I regularly do hiking events included “Our Outdoors” and other events organised by Mountaineering Ireland, Carlow Tourism, Carlow Sport Partnership and Visit Wicklow.

If you have any questions please, don’t hesitate to contact me @: 00353 879691193

Email: aeaccom@gmail.com

Website: www.mountainadventures74.com

Kind regards,

Emmanuel Chappard