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Spring 2021 €3.95 UK£3.40 ISSN 0790 8008 Issue 137
HILLWALKING • CLIMBING • MOUNTAINEERING
Mountains of the East
Hiking the Great Leinster Chain from Dublin to Waterford
Fitz Roy Massif
Solo traverse of five-mile ridge in Patagonia
www.mountaineering.ie
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
ISSUE 137
The Irish Mountain Log is the
membership magazine of
Welcome
Mountaineering Ireland. The
organisation promotes the interests
of hillwalkers and climbers in Ireland.
Mountaineering Ireland
Mountaineering Ireland Ltd is a
company limited by guarantee and
S
adly, the Covid-19 pandemic is registered in Dublin, No 199053.
still with us and keeping us off Registered office: Irish Sport HQ,
the hills and crags. We still need National Sports Campus,
to continue to take care and Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Ireland.
follow the public health advice Tel: (+353 1) 625 1115
Fax: (+353 1) 625 1116
about social distancing and avoiding
contact with other people (see current Mountaineering Ireland’s info@mountaineering.ie
www.mountaineering.ie
advice for hillwalkers and climbers, page 5). fiftieth anniversary will be
This year is Mountaineering Ireland’s Hot Rock Climbing Wall
fiftieth anniversary. Given the year that’s in marked this year Tollymore Mountain Centre
it, it is difficult to organise any events at Bryansford, Newcastle
present to celebrate this significant Mountaineering Ireland sees its purpose County Down, BT33 0PT
anniversary. However, we should certainly as being to represent and support Tel: (+44 28) 4372 5354
hillwalking and climbing. Its vision is that youth@mountaineering.ie
mark it (see comment from our CEO, page
9). In the Irish Mountain Log, we intend to hillwalkers and climbers will become more
Editor: Patrick O’Sullivan
mark this anniversary by publishing some skilled, self-reliant and informed, that
Tel: (+353 1) 837 8166 (pm, wknds)
relevant features, reprints of old articles and access will be improved, and that our iml-editor@mountaineering.ie
some new material, throughout the year. mountain landscapes will be valued and Literary Editor: Peter O’Neill
The fifty years have seen a growth in our protected. It aims to inspire all who engage iml-literaryeditor@mountaineering.ie
sport on this island. The organisation has in hillwalking and climbing throughout the Features Editor: Nicky Hore
also changed. From being a purely island of Ireland, and encourage adventure iml-featureseditor@mountaineering.ie
volunteer-run organisation, Mountaineering and exploration in the mountains of the
world. The Irish Mountain Log is published by
Ireland now has a Chief Executive Officer
Mountaineering Ireland four times a
and a professional staff team to service the In this issue, given the lack of news, we
year, in March, June, September,
needs of its growing membership. However, have again been able to publish more December. The material published in
Mountaineering Ireland is still governed by feature articles about trips members have the Log by the voluntary editorial team
its members through a Board of Directors, undertaken prior to the pandemic or when and contributors must not be taken as
elected from the membership. the restrictions have been eased. There are official Mountaineering Ireland policy
Initially established as the Federation of several strong pieces. A call for articles by unless specifically stated.
Mountaineering Clubs in Ireland in 1971, women resulted in several excellent pieces
being received as well. We have published Copy deadline for the Summer 2021
Mountaineering Ireland is now the
issue of the Irish Mountain Log is:
representative body for hillwalkers and some of those in this issue, which will
Friday, May 14th 2021.
climbers on the island of Ireland. It is hopefully improve the editorial balance in
recognised as the National Governing Body the magazine. Advertising: info@mountaineering.ie
for mountaineering, hillwalking, rambling Keep safe!
and climbing by both Sport Ireland and Production: Cóilín MacLochlainn,
Sport Northern Ireland. Patrick O’Sullivan, Editor coilin@natureireland.ie
Printing: GPS Colour Graphics Ltd,
Alexander Road, Belfast BT6 9HP
Write for the Log Tel: +44 (0)28 9070 2020
PARTICIPATION AND RISK
Readers of the Irish Mountain Log are
Contributions of features, news items and photographs for reminded that hillwalking and climbing
the Irish Mountain Log are always welcome and should be are activities with a danger of personal
sent to the Editor at: iml-editor@mountaineering.ie. injury or death. Participants in these
activities should be aware of and
Contributors’ guidelines can be downloaded from the accept these risks, and be responsible
for their own actions and involvement.
Mountaineering Ireland website, www.mountaineering.ie.
Mountaineering Ireland publishes and
ON THE COVER promotes safety and good practice
To join Mountaineering Ireland and receive four issues of the Looking south from Mount Brandon, advice and through the Mountain
Irish Mountain Log delivered to your door each year, please Co Kerry, at sunrise
Training Board of Ireland administers a
also go to the website, www.mountaineering.ie. range of training programmes for
PHOTOGRAPH
RICHARD CREAGH walkers and climbers.
Spring 2021 Irish Mountain Log 3
CONTENTS Spring 2021
Hillwalking in the Reeks in
better times (see ‘Mind
yourselves: some ways for
hillwalkers and climbers to
mind their physical and
mental wellbeing,’ page 56)
News 14 Viewpoint:
‘One from the Hills!’
5 Covid-19 advice: be safe, A proposal by Brendan Roche
responsible and considerate 15 Let’s all #CleanTheHills
6 Increase in call-outs in 2020 By Aisling Kennedy
Ruth Cunniffe reports
15 ...and let’s start now!
7 Solo traverse of Fitz Roy Mountaineering Ireland response
massif completed 15 Crossword results
Patrick O’Sullivan reports
8 Cork club celebrates 45th year 16 National walking trails:
Margaret Kennedy reports the beginning
By Seán Quinn
9 ‘Cork Mountaineering Club’
Photographs: Helen Lawless (hillwalking in the Reeks), Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll (selfie), Aidan Ennis (selfie)
A poem by Myra Heffernan 17 Winter success on K2
Patrick O’Sullivan reports
10 Doug Scott CBE:
an appreciation 19 Irish death on Mount Kenya Aidan Ennis on his Great Leinster Chain hike
By Patrick O’Sullivan Patrick O’Sullivan reports
12 Active Walkway resource
pack with Active School Flag
19 ‘Hill Fever’
A poem by Peadar Ó Riordán
24 MULTI-DAY LEINSTER HIKE
Linda Sankey reports
13 Get Ireland Walking podcast
Linda Sankey reports
News Features 44 Diversity in the outdoors
By Neruja Srikantharajah
20 Sheep, sucklers and 48 A Norwegian odyssey
saving lives By Peter Owens
By Rodney Magowan
52 Rock climbing changed
22 Artefacts underfoot my life
By Matthew Seaver and By Anastasija Strizakova
Graeme Warren
Regulars
Features 29 Crossword Competition
24 Mountains of the East: hiking 56 Members’ Support
the Great Leinster Chain Ruth Whelan reports
By Aidan Ennis
58 Access & Conservation
30 My Mourne Wall Challenge Helen Lawless reports
By Paul Maguire
60 Training
36 Georgia’s Koruldi Ridge Jane Carney reports
By Fergal Hingerty
62 Books
Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll completes traverse 38 Orla Perć: Path of Eagles Reviews of recent books
By Justyna Gruszczyk
65 The Last Word
7 FITZ ROY SOLO TRAVERSE 42 Starting rock climbing
By Audrey Elliott
– Hamish MacInnes
– Peadar Ó Riordán
4 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2021
Newsdesk
Staff & Board
General enquirieS
info@mountaineering.ie
Staff
Chief executive Officer
Murrough McDonagh,
murrough@mountaineering.ie
administration Officer
Siobhán Quinn, info@mountaineering.ie
Hillwalking Development Officer
Be safe, responsible, considerate
Ruth Whelan, ruth@mountaineering.ie Our latest Covid-19 advice for hillwalkers and climbers in Ireland
access & Conservation Officer
Helen Lawless, helen@mountaineering.ie Everyone should continue to be aware
training Officer of the risk factors for getting Covid-19:
Jane Carney, jane@mountaineering.ie
training & Membership ● Distance The risk of getting Covid-19
Support administrator increases as the distance between
Laura Griffin, laura@mountaineering.ie you and others gets smaller. Keep two
Climbing Officer metres apart, where possible.
Damien O’Sullivan,
damien@mountaineering.ie
● Activity How you spend time with
people, and what you do with them,
Get irelanD WalkinG initiative can increase your risk. Follow the
Programme Manager, Get ireland Walking government’s Stay Safe guidelines
Jason King, jason@getirelandwalking.ie This advice from Mountaineering Ireland is
when spending time with others.
Communications & administrative Officer, for all hillwalkers and climbers. It is based
Get ireland Walking on the current restrictions, in place in ● Time The more time you spend in
Linda Sankey, linda@getirelandwalking.ie March. Our understanding is that, while the close contact with other people, the
restrictions will be reviewed after Easter, it greater your risk of getting Covid-19.
MOuntaineerinG irelanD is unlikely that there will be any major Keep track of who you spend time
BOarD OffiCerS with, and how.
relaxation in the restrictions for some time
President
Paul Kellagher
after that. ● Symptoms Know the symptoms. If
president@mountaineering.ie The purpose of this advice is to highlight you have any of them, self-isolate and
Chairperson the additional considerations that we contact your GP immediately.
Paul Barron should be aware of due to Covid-19. It
chairperson@mountaineering.ie builds on the good practice which is Landowners, rural communities
commonplace among responsible When we are able to return to the hills
BOarD MeMBerS hillwalkers and climbers: checking weather
Imelda Buckley
and crags, be mindful and respectful of
forecasts, checking access arrangements, the landowners and local communities in
(Chair of Finance, Audit & Risk Committee)
selecting routes that are appropriate for the places where you walk and climb.
imelda-board@mountaineering.ie
fitness, skill and experience, environmental People living in rural areas may be
David Pollard
awareness, etc.
(Chair of Access & Conservation Committee) nervous to see groups of people in their
david-board@mountaineering.ie
Since the arrival of Covid-19 on the island areas. Consider, too, that upland areas
Colette Mahon of Ireland, many aspects of our lives have have a higher proportion of older
colette-board@mountaineering.ie changed. Together, we have adhered to residents.
Michael Maunsell government restrictions and public health
Keep group sizes small, park
mike-board@mountaineering.ie advice. Thanks to this collective effort,
responsibly and, if possible, away from
Gráinne McLaughlin progress has been made in the fight
residences, and plan your route to avoid
(Chair of Hillwalking Committee) against Covid-19. We all still need to play
passing close to homes or through
grainne-board@mountaineering.ie our part in keeping it suppressed. As
farmyards.
Clare O’Connor restrictions ease, our personal and social
clare-board@mountaineering.ie responsibility becomes ever more ➠ For current and more detailed advice,
Geoff Thomas important. see www.mountaineering.ie/covid19 ■
(Chair of Climbing Committee)
geoff-board@mountaineering.ie
Noel Caffrey
noel-board@mountaineering.ie
Summary of current restrictions
Kevin O’Callaghan
(Chair of Mountain Training Board Ireland) Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland
kevin-board@mountaineering.ie
Avoid all unnecessary travel. Avoid all unnecessary travel.
Travel Exercise within 10 miles of home Exercise within 5km of home
Only individual or household Only individual or household
Hillwalking, rock-climbing permitted (within 10 miles of home) permitted (within 5km of home)
Club activity outdoors No No
Climbing walls Closed Closed
Spring 2021 Irish Mountain Log 5
NEWSL0G
Increase in call-outs in 2020
A year-end report from Ruth Cunniffe, Public Relations Officer for Mountain Rescue Ireland
T
he year 2020 was month period, whereas there
an incredibly trying were 345 in 2020, an almost
year for everyone, 5% increase, with quarterly
and was also a figures varying in relation to
particularly the season and the level of
challenging year for members restrictions in place across
of the eleven mountain the country.
rescue teams on the island of During the week or so
Ireland. leading up to the cold snap
On top of the new infection that was seen earlier this year
control protocols that teams across the country, some
have had to adopt, and the mountain rescue teams were
resulting reduced numbers of put under enormous pressure
team members able to by the number of call-outs
attend call-outs, there was that occurred. Some of these
also an overall increase in the call-outs were absolutely
number of call-outs needless, with people putting
responded to by the teams in themselves (along with the
2020, compared to the voluntary mountain rescue
previous year. personnel) in unnecessary
When you look at the danger. Heading out for a hike
annual statistics for in bad weather, or going ill-
mountain rescue call-outs, equipped and untrained for
you can see that the number some of the conditions likely
Photograph & infographic: Mountain Rescue Ireland
of call-outs actually to be encountered, is not a
increased slightly between wise decision to make at any
2019 and 2020 (see table). In time, but particularly during
2019, there were 330 the ongoing Covid-19
incidents over the twelve- pandemic.
2019 2020 Mountaineering Ireland, as hillwalking and climbing are
Quarter 1 75 61 the representative body for permitted, they are advising
hillwalkers and climbers, has that people ask themselves
Quarter 2 95 57
expressed its concern about the three Adventure Smart
Quarter 3 103 137 the increased number of call- questions before venturing
Quarter 4 57 90 outs. They are encouraging all out:
Total 330 345 hillwalkers and climbers to
Q1 Do I have the right gear?
adhere to the Covid-19
All eleven teams on the island of Ireland are represented in these numbers restrictions in place. When
Q2 Do I know what the
weather will be like?
Q3 Am I confident I have the
knowledge and skills
for the day?
It is particularly important to
try to avoid having to call out
the mountain rescue teams at
this time.
The primary advice from
Mountain Rescue Ireland is
also to adhere to all
government guidelines and to
always ask yourself the three
questions above each time
you are thinking about
heading out into the hills ■
6 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2021
Solo traverse of Fitz Roy massif completed
By Patrick O’Sullivan
In February of this year,
Irish-Belgian climber
Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll
completed a solo six-day
traverse of the Fitz Roy massif
in Patagonia. The five-
kilometre traverse involved
around 4,000m of ascent.
From February 5th to 10th, Sean
followed the ridge south to
north, summiting ten peaks in
the massif, including Cerro
Fitz Roy (3,359m). This was
the first time that this traverse
was completed by a solo
climber.
Cerro Fitz Roy (3,359m) and the Fitz Roy massif, Patagonia
where he is mainly based. Ben Ditto. The team put up reverse for some time,
He started sport climbing, nine new big wall routes because it would be more
but soon moved on to there, most of which started adventurous and it hadn’t
climbing trad routes. Clearly from a sailboat named Dodo’s been done before in that
very talented, he has gone on Delight. In 2014, they returned direction. He carried a large
Photos: Todor Bozhinov (Fitz Roy massif), Rolo Garibotti/@patagoniavertical (topo), Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll (self portrait)
to make first ascents of big to Greenland on the same pack with ten days’ supplies
walls in some very remote boat and put up another ten and climbing and camping
The ridge was first locations around the world, new routes. equipment, plus his faithful
traversed in February 2014 by including Patagonia, Pakistan, Since early last year, Sean tin whistle. He rope-soloed
Tommy Caldwell and Alex Baffin Island and Greenland. has been living in El Chaltén, all of the climbing, and he
Honnold, who went north to Since his childhood, he has a mountain village in free-soloed some of the
south. They named their been making twice-yearly Patagonia, Argentina, where scrambling, as the pack was
route the Fitz Traverse. trips to Ireland and, amongst he was trapped by the too heavy to climb with.
Sections of the route ranged other venues here, has Covid-19 lockdown. He In his traverse, he climbed
in difficulty up to 6c (5.11d). climbed at Fair Head, County says he could have been the seven main peaks on the
Sean’s solo climb was the Antrim. repatriated, but it wasn’t a ridge, and three of the smaller
second traverse of the ridge, Sean Villanueva O’Driscoll bad place to be through the peaks, in six days.
albeit in the reverse direction. received a Piolet d’Or in 2010 worst of the pandemic in Completing this traverse
He named his climb the for an expedition he made to Europe: it was “like being in a solo confirms Sean Villanueva
Moonwalk Traverse. Greenland, together with his giant playground!” O’Driscoll’s place among the
Sean started climbing at climbing partners, Nicolas Sean had been thinking élite of top world-class
the age of 13 in Belgium, Favresse, Oliver Favresse and about doing the traverse in climbers ■
Spring 2021 Irish Mountain Log 7
CLUBS
The Blackrock Passage West Greenway: it extends from Blackrock Castle to Passage West in Cork city
CORK CLUB CELEBRATES 45th YEAR
Cork Mountaineering Club celebrated its 45th anniversary last November by walking
locally. The club’s President, Margaret Kennedy, reports
Photographs: Heather Johnson (Blackrock Passage Greenway), Eileen Buckley (The Paps), Jill O’Leary (The Gearagh)
T
hese anniversaries Knockmealdowns on the
seem to be coming anniversary had to be
around ever faster! abandoned.
November 6th, 2020, However, the club’s
was the 45th committee was still keen to
anniversary of the inauguration mark this milestone. Working
of Cork Mountaineering Club. within the Covid-19 restrictions
The club is still on the go, with at that time, members were
eighty-two members and a few invited to do a minimum of a
people continuing with unbroken 45-minute walk on November 6th
annual membership to this day. and to send a few details on the
Alas, courtesy of Covid-19, for route to the club secretary. All
the past year or so we have respondents were entered into
mostly been a hillwalking club a draw for a copy of
with no hills to go to. A plan to Mountaineering Ireland’s
have a repeat of the club’s first recently published book,
official walk on the Irish Peaks.
Distant view of the Paps, Co Kerry The Gearagh, Co Cork
8 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2021
Cork Mountaineering Club Our 50th anniversary
Today our club is forty-five years old,
Keeping restrictions, far hikes are on hold. Mountaineering Ireland marks its 50th year
So I stay close to home, as I head out for my walk,
I miss all my friends and especially the talk.
Out I go, it’s a quarter to nine,
fingers crossed, weather stays fine.
Two cyclists I see on their morning spin,
My neighbour outside, taking in his bin.
I keep near the hedge as the cars drive past,
I wish to God they wouldn’t go so fast. In 1971, the Federation of Mountaineering Clubs of Ireland was
The fields each side are lovely to see, established with seven member clubs. Today’s
A stream flows through one on its way to the Lee. Mountaineering Ireland has grown from those humble
Leaves on the trees, all different shades, foundations and is now the representative body for hillwalkers
green, brown, orange and red. and climbers on the island of Ireland. It has developed and
Two magpies I see, high up on a shed, broadened its reach and support to all those involved in, or
looking to get involved in, hillwalking, climbing and
Cows out grazing, and also some sheep;
mountaineering activities. Indeed, prior to the Covid-19
Nice and content, they don’t make a bleep.
restrictions, its membership was increasing annually and, by
I approach a house, I know a dog lives inside, the end of the 2019/2020 season, it had risen to 14,000-plus
I quicken my pace, my fear I can’t hide. members, with a total of 191 member clubs.
Oops, out he comes, barking like mad, The year 2021 sees the celebration of Mountaineering
The gate is locked, I am so glad. Ireland’s 50th anniversary and, although it is not possible to
celebrate with all our members in person on the hills and crags
A postman pulls up, some parcels he drops,
as we would like, we still feel that this major milestone
shopping online, people missing the shops.
deserves to be marked in some way. For now, we plan to
I turn round the bend, another car speeds past, celebrate virtually and share some of the wonderful history,
I pray to myself the Covid won’t last, including some of the achievements of Mountaineering Ireland
For I miss the mountains, the company, chats, and its members over the years, through video(s) to be aired
Happy anniversary to my club now! on our social media platforms in the coming months.
Please raise your hats! Please note: if you have any old photographs, video footage
or other interesting materials related to Mountaineering
Myra Heffernan Ireland’s history which you would like to share with us, please
email us at: info@mountaineering.ie.
It is hoped that, as the year progresses and restrictions ease,
Forty-seven members took Harbour and the university. we will be able to hold events around the island of Ireland, with
up the challenge and The army firing range in our members, to help celebrate and mark this special occasion
enthusiastically clocked up an Kilworth even got a mention. together.
overall total of 240 kilometres Popular routes in Cork city In the meantime, keep safe and best wishes,
between them. Reports included Tramore River Valley,
flooded in of walks by castles, the Lough, the Marina and the Murrough McDonagh
bridges, ponds, rivers, lakes, Atlantic Pond. Further afield, Chief Executive Officer
estuaries, beaches, greenways, walks were completed along
parks, woodlands, Cork the River Blackwater in
Mallow, on the beaches of Blarney, now a suburb of Cork
Garryvoe, and in Inchydoney. city, news of recently added
To the west, we heard of amenities.
walks in Kilmurray Woods and The richness, variety and
Photograph: Miriam Rohan (River Martin Trail)
on Sleaveen Hill, known locally diversity of routes not only
as the Turret, near Macroom, reflected members’
overlooking the Gearagh. enthusiasm but left us looking
One member walked forward, when permitted, to
‘The Token Fire’ under the the prospect of evening walks
Paps, while others enjoyed guided by our many well-
Tracton Woods near informed members.
Carrigaline, and a stroll around Perhaps the poem above,
Cobh. penned by my friend and
We learned a bit of history fellow club member Myra
from around Mallow, home of Heffernan, sums up that day,
River Martin Trail, Blarney
a white deer herd in one of its like so many others last
three castles, and from November ■
Spring 2021 Irish Mountain Log 9
AN APPRECIATION
DOUG SCOTT CBE
An outstanding British mountaineer and pioneer of big-wall climbing
By Patrick O’Sullivan
mountaineering luminaries, Walter with Peter Habeler; the first ascent of
Bonatti and Reinhold Messner. Changabang (6,864m) in the Garhwal
Douglas (‘Doug’) Keith Scott was born Himalaya, with Chris Bonington and
in Nottingham, England, in 1941 and was Dougal Haston in 1974; the first ascent
educated there. As a child, he was of the south-west face of Everest with
encouraged to explore the surrounding Haston in 1975, when they famously
countryside, particularly the Peak survived a bivouac in the open, 100m
District, by his father, an enthusiastic below the then 8,848m summit (now
amateur sportsman. He saw people rock officially 8,848.86m); and the first
climbing in Derbyshire while on a hiking ascent of the south face of Denali,
trip there with the Scouts, and that also with Haston, in 1976.
started a lifelong passion. In 1977, Scott joined Bonington again
He attended Loughborough Teachers' on The Ogre (Baintha Brakk, 7,285m) in
Training College for two years and then the Karakoram, where he broke both
taught geography, history and PE for ten ankles in an abseiling accident on the
years, at the same secondary modern descent from the summit and had to
school in Nottingham that he had crawl off the mountain on his knees,
attended. He was married three times assisted by his fellow mountaineers,
and had five children. Scott ended up in an epic descent that highlighted
living in the Lake District, where he Scott’s determination to survive,
D
oug Scott, an passed away in December.
outstanding British whatever the odds.
mountaineer, died in In 1979, with Peter Boardman and
Photographs: Chris Bonington (Scott during Everest climb, 1975), Dougal Haston (Scott on Everest summit)
December 2020, having Joe Tasker, Scott made the third ascent
been diagnosed with an of Kanchenjunga (8,586m), the first
inoperable brain tumour without supplementary oxygen and the
earlier in the year. He was aged 79. first via a new route on the north ridge.
Scott’s impressive list of pioneering He subsequently climbed the north
first ascents in the Greater Ranges face of Nuptse (7,861m) in Nepal and
included the first ascent of the Shivling (6,543m) in India with Georges
south-west face of Mount Everest Bettembourg and various other
with Dougal Haston in 1975. climbers.
All told, he took part in forty-five In 1982, Scott made an alpine-style
expeditions and made thirty first first ascent of the south-west face of
ascents. Among the many awards given Shishapangma (8,027m) via the
to him, Doug received the third lifetime right-hand couloir, with Alex MacIntyre
award of the Piolet d’Or in 2011, and Roger Baxter-Jones, in what was
following in the footsteps of two other the sixth successful ascent of that
Doug Scott on summit of Everest in 1975 mountain.
Following his success on El Capitan’s
While initially known as an aid climber Salathé Wall, Scott pioneered big-wall
climbing with his ascents of Mount
on British rock, in the Dolomites and on
Asgard (2,015m) on Baffin Island,
the Troll Wall, as he became more
Canada; Mount Kenya (5,199m) in
experienced in the Greater Ranges, Doug
Kenya; and The Ogre (7,285m) and
Scott became a committed advocate for
Shivling (6,543m) in the Karakorum.
free climbing and an alpine-style Doug Scott wrote several very popular
approach to big climbs. He felt that the mountaineering books, including Big
way you climbed was more important Wall Climbing; The Shishapangma
than your success on a route. Expedition (with Alex MacIntyre), which
His many first ascents included the won the 1984 Boardman Tasker Award;
first European ascent in 1970 of the Himalayan Climber: A Lifetime’s Quest to
Doug Scott during Everest climb in 1975 Salathé Wall on El Capitan, in Yosemite, the World’s Greater Ranges; Up and
10 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2021Doug Scott pictured with Chris Bonington, with whom he Dougal Haston on the Hillary Step. This classic image among Everest fans is part of Scott’s
frequently climbed. exquisite back-catalogue of mountain imagery.
About: The Hard Road to Everest, the first International Climbing and on having time to sell various items,
part of his biography; and The Ogre. Mountaineering Foundation (UIAA). such as his own posters as well as
He also contributed to several other He was also made a Freeman of the City artefacts produced in Nepal, in support
expedition books and was an excellent of Nottingham in 1976, and received of that charity.
mountain photographer. many honorary degrees in the UK. Over the years, Scott visited Ireland
Scott was President of the Alpine Club Doug Scott’s life appears to have been several times. The talks he gave were
from 1999 to 2001, where he promoted a voyage of self-discovery, from his initial always interesting and impressive, with
ethical mountaineering, and he was discovery that he was a good climber, great supporting images, but in later
made a CBE in 1994. He was also patron to his later realisation of his abilities in years his focus in the intermission and
of the British Mountaineering Council big-wall climbing and high-altitude afterwards was always on his
until the time of his death. mountaineering, and his focus on ethical fundraising for Community Action
Scott received many other awards and mountaineering and ‘pure’ alpine-style Nepal. One of his last fundraising
accolades during his lifetime, including ascents. It was also a spiritual journey for initiatives in the lockdown was a
the John Muir Trust Lifetime him, as his interest in Buddhism grew. sponsored stair climb in support of
Photographs: Doug Scott (Douglas Haston on Hillary Step), Community Action Nepal (school opening)
Achievement Award for his He became involved in supporting Community Action Nepal.
mountaineering achievements and his mountain communities in Nepal through “Doug was an amazing person and
commitment to conservation and Community Action Nepal (CAN), the had an absolutely amazing life,” said
supporting mountain peoples. As charity he established in 1989. In his later Chris Bonington. “He has given so much
mentioned above, he also received the years, he focused very much on raising to so many people.”
Piolet D’Or Lifetime Achievement Award funds for that charity, and devoted much May he rest in peace.
in Chamonix in 2011. of his time to working for it and visiting
Last year, Scott received a prestigious its projects in Nepal. Doug Scott: born May 29th, 1941; died
Honorary Membership of the Whenever he gave a talk, Scott insisted December 7th, 2020 ■
An ailing Doug Scott takes part in the stair-climbing
Everest Challenge 2020 in the same outfit he wore
Doug Scott and his last wife, on behalf of their charity CAN, officially open a school in Nepal. on Everest in 1975 (see photo opposite).
Spring 2021 Irish Mountain Log 11NEWSL0G
Active Walkway resource pack with Active School Flag
By Linda Sankey, Get Ireland Walking of clothes or footwear, so it’s an ideal lunchtime activity for both
staff and students. Research suggests there are many benefits
Since 2017, Get Ireland Walking has partnered with Active School to walking meetings. Teachers can bring meetings outdoors on
Flag to encourage and support the physical education the Walkway route. The Walkway can be used to support the
programme in schools and promote active learning across a outdoor and adventure strand (orienteering, walking activities,
wide variety of subject areas. team challenges) and to help develop children’s fundamental
Research shows that all children and young people need sixty movement skills.
minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day.
The Walkway is an environmental cue for inquiry, questioning
In Ireland, 83% of primary school pupils do not meet these
and the solving of problems during teaching, learning and
physical activity guidelines, and 90% of post-primary pupils do
assessment activities. It facilitates learning activities that
not meet the physical activity guidelines either.
Sitting time adds up – sitting eating, sitting doing homework, support the teacher’s role as a leader and a facilitator of subject
sitting using the computer, sitting during school, sitting while learning through the medium of physical activity.
watching TV or gaming … the list goes on. In primary schools, key teaching approaches such as play-
The good news is that physically active children have more based learning, inquiry-based learning and cooperative learning
active brains! are all interlinked and are essential to ensuring our children
develop important life skills and competencies.
Sitting Less + Moving More = Learning Better The Walkway pack includes an Ideas booklet, which has lots of
After twenty minutes of physical activity, students tested different ideas about how the Walkway route can be used to
better in reading, spelling and maths and were more likely to read promote cross-curricular learning.
above their grade level. Schools across Ireland have adapted the Walkway to suit their
The Walkway resource pack was developed for schools to use environment, Boston National School in County Clare uses the
while working towards the Active School Flag. The resource pack beautiful dry-stone walls there, while Coláiste Bríde in Clondalkin,
Image: Get Ireland Walking
provides everything that schools need to mark out a Co Dublin, has inspiration quotes on their Walkway. SS Michael
walking/running route around the perimeter of the school
and Peter Junior School in Arklow, Co Wicklow, has an Active Fairy
grounds. The Walkway can be used to energise the school day,
Route on its walkway. Why not see if your children’s school is
support physical education and promote active learning.
working towards the Active School Flag?
It can also be used to generate extra active minutes for
everyone throughout the school day! Students can be
encouraged to walk the Walkway with their friends before school
➲ Find out more at:
www.getirelandwalking.ie/walkingprogrammes/schools
starts. Take active break times – walking doesn’t require a change and www.activeschoolflag.ie ■
12 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2021Get Ireland Walking podcast
Get Ireland Walking’s vision of a vibrant culture of walking ➲ You can find out more at:
www.getirelandwalking.ie/podcast
throughout Ireland, and our mission to empower people
to choose to walk more often for recreation, transport
and health as part of their everyday life, informs
➲ Ifpodcast,
you have a story that you think might make a
contact us at
everything we do as an organisation. communications@getirelandwalking.ie.
With that in mind, we are thrilled to announce that we ➲ Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcast or wherever you
listen to your podcasts ■
have launched our first podcast series!
The podcast will shine a light on the many individuals in
Ireland who live, work and play in the walking space. The
podcast is presented by Get Ireland Walking’s
communications officer, Linda Sankey, and researcher
Dylan Power. AUTHOR: Linda Sankey is Communications
Officer with Get Ireland Walking. Get Ireland
Image: Get Ireland Walking
We will chat with walking researchers; people who
Walking is an initiative of Sport Ireland,
deliver walking programmes and events; policy-makers; supported by Healthy Ireland and hosted
and – most importantly, – we’ll talk to real walkers to help and delivered by Mountaineering Ireland.
shine a light on some of their amazing programmes and FIND OUT MORE: To find out more about Get
Ireland Walking, visit the website
the groups that walk every day in Ireland. www.getirelandwalking.ie, contact us on
(01) 625 1109 or email Linda Sankey at
info@getirelandwalking.ie.
Spring 2021 Irish Mountain Log 13VIEWPOINT
‘One from the Hills!’
Brendan Roche has this great proposal: “Let’s remove one piece of
litter from the ground every time we go hiking.” He explains why
tons of rubbish being recycled.
The good example of removing one
recyclable item from the ground each
time we go hiking would also highlight
the problem to others with or near us at
the time. With support and publicity,
the most likely outcome from this
campaign would be that there would
be little or no litter left on our awesome
hills and mountains.
It is important to note that this
initiative potentially only works if you
confine your efforts to just removing
I imagine that we all get a buzz from one item on each visit to the hills. Why
hiking in the hills, be it from overcoming so? Removing a greater number of
a challenge, reaching a summit, seeing a pieces of rubbish on each visit would
stunning view or simply experiencing spoil the hikes for you and ultimately
companionship with our fellow hikers. lead to disillusionment and
We particularly get great pleasure from abandonment of the practice. So, stick
our interaction with the beauty of our to one item. It is simple and it will work.
stunning mountains. However, Try it.
occasionally, when we encounter litter National Spring Clean Week is the
on our hikes, we may experience the time for a club or individuals to perhaps
opposite – anger and bewilderment at organise a clean-up on a bigger stage,
such outrageous behaviour by our fellow where there is a more serious problem.
human beings. There is no doubt about So, go on! Adopt this simple practice
it: beauty dies where litter lies! and promote it, so that we will have the
Experienced hikers know to leave cleanest, as well as the most beautiful,
nothing but footprints behind. hills in the world!
Unfortunately, some others are the It is so simple to remove one can or
complete opposite in this respect and piece of plastic or a glass bottle on
leave all sorts of rubbish. For every each hike. We have shown the world
problem, there are many solutions, but I how to do it with plastic shopping bags
would like to suggest one simple and, surely, we can do the same simply
solution to reducing the growing with the litter on our beloved hills? It’s a
problem of litter on our hills: we should winner, so let’s do it!
simply promote the practice that, when We have Tidy Towns, so why not Tidy
we are out on the hills, we bring back Mountains? What a novel and simple
home just one item of litter for recycling. way to contribute towards putting a
This ‘power of one’ will work to reduce, bad year behind us, and a wonderful
and eventually eliminate, this national and enchanting environment
travesty. henceforth before us.
Consider the numbers involved and Do it. Think and do. “One from the
Photograph: Brendan Roche
the possible mathematics. I go out Hills!”
hillwalking perhaps forty-plus times a
Hillwalker Brendan Roche is the founding
year, so I would bring home
Chairperson of Setanta Mountain Goats
approximately forty-plus pieces of litter Hillwalking Club. He is also founder and
for recycling. Now, multiply this by the member of Blackrock Tidy Towns, Co Louth,
tens of thousands of regular hillwalkers winner of Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town in
that there are and it becomes tons and 2019 ■
14 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2021NEWSL0G
Let’s all #CleanTheHills
Let’s take responsibility for the hills and crags where we recreate, writes Aisling Kennedy
It was raining – a lot. We walked back make their way into the food chain. One kinds of rubbish on the hills to be
down to Ticknock car park after being of us should have picked up that cleared up by hikers. Larger items such
up at the top of Three Rock in the Dublin chocolate wrapper! as dumped mattresses will not fit in
Mountains. Then we saw it, a wet There is a Clean Coasts initiative, the your jacket pocket! However, the county
chocolate bar wrapper lying on the #2MinuteBeachClean. Imagine if every councils provide telephone numbers
ground. We all considered pocketing it, single person collected rubbish for two and email addresses to report these
but none of us picked it up. minutes each time they visited the larger pieces of rubbish.
We all know that plastic does not ever beach. Imagine if every person who We are the people who benefit most
fully decompose. It just breaks down went out hillwalking or climbing picked from these beautiful areas. If we want to
into smaller and smaller pieces. There is up some rubbish while they were out! keep them pristine, then we need to
strong evidence to suggest that these It could be a #CleanTheHills! take responsibility for what other people
tiny pieces of plastic do get eaten and Of course, it is not possible for all leave behind ■
Crossword results
The winner of our crossword in IML 136 was Maitiú Ó Coimín, of Trá an
Bhaile Bhoicht, Ballybough, Dublin 3, who won a set of men’s Icebreaker
Oasis Crewe baselayers (top and leggings), a prize worth €169.90, from
our crossword sponsor, Basecamp. The solution to the crossword is
shown below. Mountaineering Ireland will contact the winner to arrange
collection of his prize.
1 2 3 4 5
G A L E S C R A C K
L E H A R I
6 7
E N G L I S H E E L
N R E T I
8 9 10 11
C A B L E Y R H E U M
12 13
O N E E R S A
14 15 16 17
A N D E S W C R E A N
...and let’s start now! G I P L J
18 19
Aisling Kennedy’s challenge to hillwalkers and climbers H E N A M E R I C A
aligns really well with Brendan Roche’s ‘One from the Hills’
proposal that, when we are on the hills, we should all bring A G T A O R
20 21
home just one item of litter for recycling – see Viewpoint, N O O K S M R A D I O
opposite page.
Mountaineering Ireland has decided to promote the
One from the Hills initiative. Start now by carrying a small
bag with you on your next outing, to take home one item,
such as a drinks can or that wet chocolate bar wrapper
that we all try to ignore.
Always keep safe – put your hand into the bag and use
that to pick up the litter, thus avoiding direct contact with
the item.
If you come across bags of rubbish or other illegal
Photograph: Charlie Perkins
dumping, report it to the local council, or the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1850 365 121
(Republic of Ireland), or the Environmental Crime Unit
(Northern Ireland), 028 9056 9453. You can also download
the EPA’s ‘See it? Say it!’ app and use that to report
dumping, littering or other pollution. Icebreaker Men’s 200 Oasis
Long Sleeve Crewe Top
plus Men’s Icebreaker Oasis Leggings
Spring 2021 Irish Mountain Log 15NEWSL0G
National walking trails: the beginning
A walk in the English Peak District in 1964 inspired the creation of Ireland’s first waymarked way
By Seán Quinn, The Irish
Ramblers’ Club
In 1964, shortly after the
Irish Ramblers’ Club was
established, Angela Murphy,
the club’s Vice-President, and I
went walking in the English
Peak District with some British
ramblers. We were there at the
invitation of Tom Stephenson,
the then Secretary of the
Ramblers’ Association (now
The Ramblers) in Britain, who
was exploring the possibility of
establishing a long-distance
walking trail along the
backbone of England.
Inspired by the great US
trails, this had first been Members of the Irish Ramblers’ Club set off to explore the proposed Wicklow Way in 1965
mooted in 1935. It would
become the now famous to address a large outdoor members, JB Malone, the Irish the Republic, totalling over
Pennine Way, running 256 rally of British ramblers. I Ramblers’ Club decided to 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles)
miles from the Peak District to talked about the need for explore developing a long- in length – see irishtrails.ie.
the Scottish border. walking trails in these islands distance way, focusing primarily These include many popular
It was officially opened in and the benefits and joys of on County Wicklow, our main looped walks, such as the
1965, after thirty years’ work, our shared recreational rambling area. The first section Tramline Loop on Howth Head,
the first such walking trail in activity. was established in 1980 and the Co Dublin. More waymarked
these islands. It was a great At that time, access to our project was successfully trails are being developed
honour for our infant club to be countryside in Ireland was completed in 1982, resulting in around the country all the time,
involved in this historic event becoming a problem for the establishment of the now as community groups
Photographs: Sean Quinn Collection (old newspaper images), Patrick O’Sullivan (Marlay Park)
and that I had the opportunity walkers here. With one of our very popular and much recognise the many benefits
appreciated Wicklow Way, the that walking brings to rural and
first such waymarked trail in urban communities, including
Ireland. There are now forty-four the health benefits and the
national waymarked trails in agri-tourism possibilities ■
➤ Seán Quinn is the Founding President of
the Irish Ramblers’ Club. He is a member of
Mountaineering Ireland and An Taisce, a life
member of An Óige, and a founder member of
Na Coisithe, the family walking group. He was
the government’s chief environmental adviser
for many years
Tom Stephenson, father of the Pennine Way and then secretary of the
Ramblers’ Association in Britain, sets off on a walk with Seán Quinn of the
Irish Ramblers’ Club, and others, in 1964 to explore the proposed Way,
which opened in 1965. The notice reads: “NO ROAD: Any Person found Start of the Wicklow Way in Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin
trespassing upon the Moor or taking dogs thereon will be Prosecuted.”
16 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2021Winter success on K2
•• Nepalese team summits on last 8,000m peak to be climbed in winter
Noel Hanna reaches over 7,300m on K2 in winter before winds force retreat
By Patrick O’Sullivan
K2, the ‘Savage Mountain,’ an 8,611m
peak in the Karakoram on the
Pakistan/China border, has finally been
climbed in winter. The first winter ascent
of the world’s second highest mountain
was made on January 16th, 2021, at about
5.00pm local time, by a group of ten
climbers from Nepal, who walked the
last 10m to the summit together, arm in
arm, singing the Nepali national anthem!
This is the first time that a first winter
ascent of an 8,000m peak has been
made by an all-Nepalese team, although
many of the winter first ascents by
people from other countries have been
supported by Sherpas and other
Nepalese porters and climbers. It was
seen as a joyous and proud achievement
for Nepalese people in Nepal and around
the world.
* * * * * *
K2 is recognised as one of the most
technically difficult of the fourteen K2, the Savage Mountain, in summer
8,000m peaks to climb, Four separate teams established
winter or summer. Its themselves in K2 Base Camp (4,960m)
location is more northerly in mid-December 2020, aiming to
than the other mountains acclimatise, establish camps and
in this élite club, which attempt to summit via the Abruzzi Spur
results in more extreme in the official winter climbing period, if a
weather on the mountain, suitable weather window occurred.
with lower temperatures
Advance Base Camp (5,200m) was
and stronger winds. It was
then established up the Godwin Austen
Photographs: Svy123 (K2), Noel Hanna Collection (Noel Hanna)
first climbed by two
Glacier, at the foot of the Abruzzi Spur.
members of an Italian
In the following month, Camp 1
expedition, Achille
Compagnoni and Lino (6,100m), Camp 2 (6,700m), Camp 3
Lacedelli, on July 31st, 1954, (7,300m) and Camp 4 (7,600m) were
via the Abruzzi Spur, still set up and stocked. Camp 4 is usually
the most popular route. located on top of the Shoulder below
By 2018, of the 367 the Bottleneck and has been seen as
people who had summited essential for successful summit bids.
on K2 in the summer The four teams attempting the winter
season, 91, or almost one in ascent were:
four, had died on the
descent, sadly including Ger
McDonnell, the County
• Mingma Gyalje Sherpa’s team of
three Sherpas. ‘Mingma G’ has already
Limerick man who made climbed K2 twice in summer and has
the first Irish ascent of K2 in previously tried unsuccessfully to climb
August 2008. it in winter. ➤
Noel Hanna on the Godwin-Austen Glacier with K2 in the distance
Spring 2021 Irish Mountain Log 17NEWSL0G
• Nirmal Purja’s team, comprising
‘Nims’ or ‘Nims Dai,’ who is a Magar,
with six Sherpas in support. Nims holds
the record for the fastest ascent of the
fourteen 8,000m peaks, which he
climbed in six months and six days in
2019.
• Icelander John Snorri Sigurjonsson
with Pakistani Muhammad Ali Sadpara
and his son, Sajid Sadpara, a team of
experienced independent climbers, who
were joined by Chilean mountaineer, Juan
Pablo Mohr Prieto.
• The Seven Summit Treks forty-nine-
person commercial team, comprising
twenty-two clients with various
experience on 8,000m mountains and
twenty-seven climbing Sherpas, including
Sona Sherpa. This team included Noel
Hanna, the County Down man who made Eight of the successful Sherpas after their climb of K2, pictured at Advance Base Camp.
the second Irish ascent of K2 in August
Dawa Temba Sherpa, Dawa Tenjin team, said that the winds on K2 were
2018, safely getting back down to base
Sherpa, and Kilu Pemba Sherpa. predicted to be 30 km per hour on the day
camp the same day.
“History made for mankind. History that the Sigurjonsson team went for the
made for Nepal!” Nims Purja said on summit, and deteriorating the next day.
A winter ascent of K2 was first
Instagram after the ascent. All of the Noel felt that it was not safe to continue
attempted in 1987 by a Polish expedition.
summiteers returned safely to base climbing that day, so he returned to base
There have only been five winter
camp the next day. camp. The Sigurjonsson team felt that it
expeditions to K2 since then, until the was manageable and set off for the summit.
attempts this year. * * * * * *
Noel had arrived at base camp on
In the week prior to the successful Sadly, there were five deaths on K2 this December 29th, 2020 and spent forty days
climb, Camp 2 was apparently destroyed winter. A Catalan climber, Sergi Mingote, there or in the higher camps. The
by high winds and had to be restocked fell to his death while descending from temperature at base camp fell to -20°C,
Photographs: Nimsdal Purja Collection (successful Sherpas), Noel Hanna Collection (enjoying a nip)
before the summit bid could be made. As Camp 1 to Advance Base Camp on the resulting in ice forming in the tents.
far as I can establish, the successful day of the successful summit bid. A
climbers went up to Camp 3 in the * * * * * *
Bulgarian mountaineer, Atanas Skatov,
preceding days and then left from there also fell to his death later, while The Sherpas who summited K2 on
on their summit bid. They put in fixed descending the mountain in February. January 16th were already acclimatised
ropes from there up to the summit cone, After the successful ascent in January, from other climbs before they went to K2.
in what was possibly a sixteen-hour climb. the other mountaineers waited in base On their summit day, the winds were 5-
They reached the summit at about camp to see if there would be another 10km/hr but rose to 10-15km/hr when they
5.00pm local time on January 16th, 2021. weather window. The Sigurjonsson team were reaching the summit. Even at those
Along with Mingma G, Nims and Sona decided to try for the summit in a short wind speeds, they all had some degree of
Sherpa, the other summiteers were weather window in early February. Sajid frost-nip or frostbite due to the windchill.
Mingma David Sherpa, Mingma Tenzi Sadpara turned around at the bottom of Nims Purja was the only one who climbed
Sherpa, Geljen Sherpa, Pem Chiri Sherpa, the Bottleneck when his oxygen without supplemental oxygen, putting
regulator malfunctioned. himself at greater risk of cold injury.
The other three – They climbed up to Camp 3 and then left
Sigurjonsson, Ali Sadpara there at 1.00-2.00am the next day,
and Prieto – continued reaching the summit just before 5.00pm
climbing up the Bottleneck on January 16th, a 16 to 17-hour day. Happily,
and were not seen again, they all got back down safely to base camp
despite various helicopter the following day.
searches. After the Nepalese ascent, Noel’s Seven
At a webinar organised Summit Treks team rested at base camp,
by the Europe Nepal waiting for another weather window. On
Chamber of Commerce for February 5th, winds were forecast to be
Tourism (www.encct.eu) at 10km/hr till 8.00am, and then 15km/hr till
the end of February, Noel 4.00pm. Noel said that you would need to
Hanna, who was part of be fast to avail of a one-day weather
Enjoying a nip at K2 Base Camp (Noel Hanna is in the middle) the Seven Summit Treks window.
18 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2021The team went to
Camp 1 and then to
Camp 2. Noel felt it
Hill Fever
was taking longer
than it should have When winter days are over
to climb between And dawns the sun of May,
the camps each day. I love to take a rucksack
In Camp 2, there was And westwards make my way.
a problem with the
gas, and the stove To leave behind the city,
wouldn’t light. It was
The hustle and the work,
very cold there that
To smell again the heather
night, at -30 to -
40°C. On Maamtrasna and Maamturk
They went on to
Camp 3 the next To see again each furze clad hill,
day, but only arrived Climbing fixed ropes between Camp 2 and Camp 3 To hear the honey bee,
at 5.00-6.00pm, To breathe the clear and salty air
when they should have arrived at 1.00- after the son left them at the Bottleneck; it On Croagh Patrick and Mweelrea.
2.00pm. The forecast had changed by is not clear what happened to them.
then and the winds were forecast to be Noel waited at base camp to see if there
was anything he could do to assist in the To hear again Atlantic waves,
20km/hr from midnight to 8.00am, and
then 30km/hr from 8.00am. Noel felt search for the Sigurjonsson team. A Walk in the woods so green,
this was too dangerous. However, the Pakistani army helicopter attempted to And hear the cuckoo calling,
Sigurjonsson team decided they would search for the three climbers, but didn’t find O’er Ben Gower, Ben Ban, Ben Breen.
still try for the summit, despite the anything. With the weather conditions
forecast. deteriorating, the search was abandoned Then turn my face to Kerry
Noel’s oxygen regulator wasn’t working and Noel trekked out to Skardu. He had From care and sorrow free
properly the next day, so he went back been above 7,300m on K2 in winter, but felt
To stroll where Massatiompan
down and was back in base camp the that it would have been foolish to try to go
higher in the winds that were forecast at Slopes down to the sea.
following day, February 6th. The
Sigurjonsson team were not seen again that time on the Savage Mountain ■
Or climb to Brandon’s lofty peak
And watch the young lambs play;
Irish death on Mount Kenya Or walk among the bluebells
On the shores of Brandon Bay.
By Patrick O’Sullivan
To wander down a Sligo lane
Where hawthorn blossoms bloom
A forty-year-old Irishman
died from altitude sickness Or stand again upon that hill,
Where Maeve lies in her tomb
Photograph: Noel Hanna (climbing fixed ropes), Franco Pecchio (Mt Kenya)
on Mount Kenya (5,199m) at
the end of January 2021.
Dubliner Piers White, an And watch the evening sun go down
outdoor enthusiast, was As the day draws to a close
climbing Point Lenana
Or stroll along the riverbank
(4,985m) on Mount Kenya,
Amongst the violets and primrose.
the second highest
Mount Kenya
mountain in Africa.
Piers had entered the problems during the night had been a marathon To roam the hills of Donegal
Mount Kenya National Park and was evacuated in the runner. In 2011, he started With the wild deer and woodcock,
through the Naro Moru Gate morning by a mountain the annual fundraising Run And hear the sweet song of the lark
three days before he rescue team to Mackinder’s in the Dark in Dublin, an High up o’er Altan Lough.
became ill. The park is a Camp. Piers was airlifted event which is now held in
World Heritage Site. He was from there in a critical more than fifty cities
overnighting in the Austrian But Oh, that God would grant me
condition to Nanyuki around the world. He was
Hut (4,790m) prior to When sweet May dawns again,
Cottage Hospital. Sadly, he also instrumental in setting
making his summit bid. The was pronounced dead on up the Mark Pollock Trust. To rest awhile on Errigal
hut is near the Lewis Glacier arrival at the hospital. Mountaineering Ireland Or in the Poisoned Glen.
on Point Lenana. Piers White was a teacher, offers its sincere
Kenya Wildlife Service a charity worker and an condolences to Piers’ family Peadar O’Riordan
reported that Piers entrepreneur. He had a and friends on their tragic
developed breathing broad interest in sport and loss ■
Spring 2021 Irish Mountain Log 19MOUNTAIN RESCUE
David Sheridan overlooking his lands beside Lough MacNean in County Fermanagh
SHEEP, SUCKLERS AND SAVING LIVES
One farmer’s view of volunteering with a mountain rescue team
Rodney Magowan reports
D
avid Sheridan farms country folk to consider applying.
across several holdings “The North West Mountain Rescue
around Letterbreen and Team is a voluntary body covering all of
Florence Court in Northern Ireland other than the Mournes, “Remember, the team’s aim is to find
County Fermanagh, from bases in Fermanagh, Magherafelt those lost in often bleak landscapes and,
with some further and Ballymena. The Mournes have their where necessary, stabilise their condition.
acreage just across the own mountain rescue team. Then, if need be, they are packaged on a
border. In fact, one of his fences is the “You do not have to be some sort of specialist stretcher and carried to a place
border! super-fit Bear Grylls or latter-day Mary of safety for onward transport to hospital.
Lowland sheep and suckler cows are Peters. Just being farmer fit or even vet fit “Call-outs are mainly local, but, in major
the family’s main enterprises, but David would be an advantage,” David quipped. incidents, our section has been deployed
has a third passion – helping save lives as But how does he cope if there is a call- to back up other teams as far afield as
a member of the North West Mountain out when he is busy in the lambing shed Mayo, the Mournes and Cave Hill. Taking
Rescue Team. or a cow is calving? Simply by not being part in actual rescues and potentially
“Back in 2013, the local section of the on call at very busy times of the year. saving a life gives me a great buzz, and the
North West Mountain Rescue Team held “Though, make no mistake, being in the whole experience of working in a team is
an open day at their base beside one of team is a serious commitment, with great crack.”
our farms,” David recalls. “Several training two evenings a month at the At home, David farms with the support
neighbours and friends were already local section base beside us. Then, there of his father, Robert, and his son, Lee,
members, so I called in and was mightily are province-wide courses and exercises across several holdings, miles apart. It is a
Photographs: Rodney Magowan
impressed. One member, the late Maud most months, often with other contrast to being in the mountain rescue
Cunningham BEM, encouraged me to join organisations such as the coast guards, team, extracting casualties, often in
that day, saying that I knew a lot of the police, RNLI, fire brigade and ambulance horrendous weather conditions.
countryside already, was farmer fit, service. Early innovators in many farming
practical and reliable. “Some folks even get to higher level techniques, David and his family were
“So, with all that praise, joining seemed courses across the water or in the among the first in Northern Ireland to use
a great idea – and it was! Eight years later, Republic. Indeed, we all aim to get Rec3 expanded metal flooring in sheep sheds,
the North West Mountain Rescue Team and Rec4, Rescue and Emergency Care and sponging to tighten up lambing. The
are again recruiting and I would urge and First Aid qualifications. ewes they have are Cheviot Suffolk
20 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2021You can also read
