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Mountain Skills 2 Comeraghs
Suits Young and Old!!

MS2 Comeraghs Information

Mountain Skills 2 (MS2) builds on the skills learned on Mountain Skills 1 or previous navigation/hiking experience. Map and Compass are supplied! A night navigation is a great experience in the mountains and a great confidence builder. Participants get the opportunity to work as a team and as individuals to lead navigation legs.

Using a compass, taking and walking on a bearing and a poor visibility/night navigation are included in the syllabus. Mountain features and contours are covered in more detail. The skills required to plan and choose an appropriate route are taught including steep ground and general hazard avoidance.

MS2 develops the fundamental navigation skills required for personal proficiency. The courses are structured to provide a progressive pathway for your skills to develop. ‘Mountain Skills 2’ is ideal for intermediate hikers/walkers who want to develop their navigation skills.

We need poor visibility or darkness to complete the ‘night Navigation’. That means we will be out after dark, approx 3-4 hours after sunset. Starting times may vary depending on the time of year. Contact me for details.

If you want to know more about me, my qualifications and Insurance read more on my About Made To Move.

MS2 Comeragh Mountains Course Dates
Contact me for details of MS2 or check out my Book a Course page for a full list of courses and payment options.
MS2 Meeting Time & Location Comeraghs: Day 1
  • Nire Valley Car Park: Google Map Link:
  • The meeting time will vary depending on the time of year. It may be between 10.00am and 1.00pm (lunchtime). There is a long narrow road to the car park so drive carefully. The road is a cul-de-sac, there is an obvious car park at the end of the road on the left. Please don’t park on the road blocking the local farmer’s access.
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MS2 Meeting Time & Location Comeraghs: Day 2
  • Crotty’s Lake Parking: Meeting 9.30am Finish 5.00pm Google Map Link:
  • After you leave the main road you may see a large opening onto a forest road on your left. Take this if it’s open otherwise continue up the road until you reach the waterworks. If you take a left hand turn at the green fencing, drive up the concrete road, and park on the side just across from the barrier or if the barrier is open park in the obvious large parking space.
     
Comeraghs Mountain Skills 2 Map & Compass
I supply a Comeragh map for each participant. If you want to buy your own I recommend a waterproof, laminated, encapuslated or lam fold map, they are much more hardwearing. ‘Waterproof paper’ maps usually don’t wear very well.
I supply a compass for each participant. If you want to buy your own I recommend the Silva Expedition 4. Please ensure you get one with ‘degrees’, 360˚not one marked with ‘Mills’
Comeragh Map & Compass Local supplier
Adventure.ie https://store.adventure.ie/
Mountain Skills 2 Equipment List, Winter & Summer
This 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 don’t wear cotton t-shirts or pants, they don’t dry quickly and will allow you to get colder quicker
  • Boots. I prefer leather for Irish conditions. Make sure the sole is in good condition
  • Head Torch
  • 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
  • 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
  • Lip Balm, winter/summer wind can give you wind burn
  • Sun block, winter/summer always a good idea
  • 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
  • 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
Weather
Please check the weather before you attend a course. This is an important habit to get into. The course schedule and location may change due to weather considerations.
Mountain Skills 2 Resources
Please have a look at the following content if you can, or at least review the content after the course.
Mountaineering Ireland Mountain Skills Registration
If you haven’t already done so please send me your Mountain Skills registration number and a copy of the email address you used to register. I will need those two bits of info to complete the course report. More info here:
Health
If you have any health or injuries issues that you feel may impact your course then please let me know. Neither day will involve long hikes. Max 6-10 Km. We will be concentrating on learning to navigate and managing ourselves in the outdoors. We won’t go far and we won’t go fast. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Payment

Contact me for details of MS2 or check out my Book a Course page for a full list of courses and payment options.

Terms & Conditions

If I have to cancel due to bad weather or not having the minimum number of people on the course then I will refund you or we can reschedule.
If you cancel after payment is received you lose your course fee unless I can find someone else to fill your place. I try and accommodate people as sometimes people do have to cancel. I take photos on the course which I may use on social media and advertisements, please let me know if you do not want to appear in photos.