Glenwalk Safety on the Hills

1. Mountaineering is an activity with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks. People who take part in our club activities do so at their own risk and are responsible for their own actions and involvement.

2. Each member is insured under the same insurance as all Mountaineering Ireland affiliated clubs without the scrambling/rock climbing component. For further information contact Mountaineering Ireland and ask them to send you out the summary document on insurance.

3. All walkers have a Duty of Responsibility towards the leader and the group as a whole. This means that they must not do anything to undermine the authority of the leader or the safety of the group.

4. Listen carefully at the walk start to the address given where the walks are described. You should select a walk that matches your ability and fitness level on the day. If in doubt, err on the side of caution.

5. It is irresponsible to go on a walk if you are unwell or injured. If you are not in a fit enough condition to do a walk you should not take part.

6. If a walker insists on leaving their group during a walk they must inform the leader. It is vital that the walker later contacts the leader on their safe arrival back at the walk start or in the pub. Failure to do so could entail calling out Mountain Rescue.

7. In circumstances where a minor injury occurs and a walker is unable to continue the walk but is able to return to the walk start then the Leader may elect to appoint someone to return with them.

8. A walker must leave the walk if requested to do so by the leader. The leader will appoint someone to accompany them if deemed necessary.

9. If a walker wishes to stop (e.g. to put on leggings etc.) while the main group is walking they must inform the leader or back marker. The leader will then decide if it is necessary to stop the group.

10. Walkers must follow all reasonable instructions from the leader. Bear in mind that the leaders are all volunteers and should be respected as such.

11. The leader has the right to refuse anyone who is not adequately equipped (see next point) or anyone who in the leader’s opinion is unfit to walk. The leader has the right to extend, curtail or alter the route from that described at the walk start.

12. All walkers should be adequately equipped, ie. Sturdy boots with ankle support, raingear, hat, gloves, scarf, hot drink, food, etc.  Gaiters, a balaclava, walking sticks and a spare fleece are also recommended.

13. All walkers should have a torch with a battery, a back-up battery and spare bulb.

14. All walkers should have a whistle, which should be used to attract attention. Bear in mind that whistles can only be heard over a short distance.
15. All walkers should have a backpack with adequate food and drink for a day on the hills.

16. It is recommended that walkers purchase an Ordnance Survey (OS) map Sheet 56 (laminated) of the Discovery Series or similar map for Wicklow.