TREKKERS REOPENING TO NEW MEMBERS

The Trekkers Mountaineering Club is reopening admission to new members following a nine-month pause and very much welcomes expressions of interest. The Club’s capacity to lead walks at a high level of quality has increased by careful planning.

We plan up to 20 new members for the coming year, beginning 1st November 2023.

In the spirit of the Trekkers, which includes an emphasis on walking of course, but also social engagement, camaraderie and fun at all levels, we have a few expectations of interested new members:

a) We welcome members at all grades, normally defined as A, B and C

b) We want members to be active and not just occasional walkers

c) We want members to contribute to the walks programme in return for enjoyment. This includes a commitment to co-lead and then lead some walks a year after joining. Opportunities for training are there as is learning from veterans.

We look forward to hearing from you. If you are interested please contact the Membership Officer, trekkersmembershipofficer@gmail.com (see on the website under “contact us”) from 1st November on. Emails arriving from that date will be logged in time for a first-come, first-served basis of selection.

Trekkers is a mountaineering club founded in the early 1980s. The Club is based in Glenageary but draws the bulk of membership from between Blackrock and Bray. The Club has approximately 257 members, including honorary members and associates.

Outings of between 4 and 8 hours are arranged on Saturday. Walks are categorised A, B and C reflecting terrain and level of challenge (see below for elaboration). In addition, Wednesday walk programmes are available. Most outings are in the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains but trips are arranged to other locations and overseas from time to time.

Social Walks of a shorter duration are arranged for existing Members and Associates who, for one reason, or another, are unable to participate in regular walks.

The start-point for Saturday walks is Glenageary Dart Station, Station Road, Glenageary. There is a €3 parking charge on roads in the vicinity of the Station on a Saturday. At the conclusion of a walk the bus collects participants from the end-point and returns to the Station. The bus fare is €20. If member demand for places on a particular walk significantly exceeds the capacity of a bus (16 seats) and the Walk Leader so decides – (taking into account the route of the walk, overall conditions and the capacity of participants'), a second bus can be arranged, if demand is sufficient to warrant this.

Training courses in walk leadership, first-aid and navigation are arranged for members.

Walk Categories

Grade A:

- Steep gradients, mountain summits and open hillside. The emphasis is on walk length and elevation. Typical outing time is up to 8 hours covering a distance up to 20km and involving a total climb up to 1,000 metres.

Grade B:

- Forest tracks, trails and some open hillside but fewer mountain summits. The climb is generally less than in Category A Walks. Typical outing time is up to six hours with a distance covered up to 18 km and a climb up to 800 metres.

Grade B-:

- Forest tracks, trails and some open hillside. The climb is generally less than in Category B Walks. Typical outing time is up to five hours with a distance covered up to 15 km and a climb up to 500 metres.

Grade C:

- These walks are usually confined to forest tracks, trails and quiet roads; routed via relatively gentle gradients. Typical outing time is up to five hours; distance around 12km, usually with a total climb up to 400 metres.

Wednesday Walk:

- Broadly similar in character to Categories B, B- and C above. Travel based on car-sharing.

Essential Equipment

The essential equipment includes:

• Suitable walking footwear, with good ankle support
• Warm jacket and pants (not denim)
• Rainproof jacket with hood and overtrousers
• Hat and gloves
• An additional layer of clothing
• Food and drink
• Head torch, walking poles and map
• A suitable rucksack up to 35 litre capacity