Navigation Equipment List

Helpfull Equipment
Hiking Equipment List, Winter & Summer
This hiking equipment list is not exhaustive. Please consider bringing all equipment that you think might be useful. You can always leave it in the car and not bring it on the hike.
Please check road conditions before you travel and remember you will be driving home probably after dark. You will be tired and conditions my be difficult. I usually have spare clothes in my car, a flask of tea or coffee and some food, that just sets me up for the drive home. Please check your navigation equipment list before setting out. Don’t wear cotton t-shirts or pants, they don’t dry quickly and will allow you to get colder quicker
Layers
- Consider a synthetic or merino base layer, you can get different weight layers that keep you warm in winter and cool in summer
- Thermal layers for your legs
- Gloves, mitts, fingerless gloves, wrist gaiters (I love these)
- Hats, buffs, balaclavas
- Extra fleece tops
- Spare heavy down or synthetic jacket
- Outer waterproof shell jacket and leggings
Feet
- Boots. I prefer leather for Irish conditions. Make sure the sole is in good condition
- Gaiters that cover your boots are great to have
- Liner socks and hiking socks should be considered, less blisters and the liner socks can be changed if you need to
Food & Drink
- Food, whatever you need. I’d suggest snacks of some sort that you can eat on the go and something more substantial like sandwiches for when we stop.
- Drinks: winter. If you use a hydration bladder the water in the hose may freeze during the day. I’d suggest hot water with fruit juice in a flask or container, you can wrap it in a spare jacket to help keep it warm. You might put the container in a dry bag or big ziplock just in case it leaks.
- Drinks: summer. Lots of water before you start the hike, lots more during the hike and lots when you get home. it will help you recover for the following day and prevent cramp. Unless you use a filtration system its best not to drink water directly from streams etc.
- Consider that we burn more calories in the cold
Additional Essentials
- Lip Balm, winter/summer wind can give you wind burn
- Sun block, winter/summer always a good idea
- A small rucksack to carry your personal equipment
- A head torch, essential if we plan to do a night navigation, good to have in your bag regardless
- Bring your personal medicine if you need it
- Walking poles if you use them
- If we need crampons and ice axes we won’t be going
- This list is not exhaustive
Map & Compass
- Silva Expedition 4 https://silvasweden.com/collections/compasses/products/expedition-4
- This is a useful link to read about your compass Compass manual
Weather
- Met Éireann https://www.met.ie
- Mountain Forecast: https://www.mountain-forecast.com/
Learning Resources
Health
Terms & Conditions
Looking for Official Mountain Skills Courses Info?
You will find a full list of links to Mountain Skills Courses and Mountain Skills Scheme information pages below.
- Mountain Skills Scheme Information Page
- Mountain Skills One General Information Page
- Mountain Skills One Wicklow Specific Information Page
- Mountain Skills One Comeraghs Specific Information Page
- Mountain Skills One Galtees Specific Information Page
- Mountain Skills Two Wicklow Specific Information Page
- Mountain Skills Two Comeraghs Specific Information Page
My Navigation courses covers some of the content below
My Navigation Resources page has a list of useful content including some of the content below.