A round-up of this week's outdoor events
Safety in the hills
Outdoors Ireland has teamed up with Great Outdoors to run a mountain-safety course at Glendalough on April 11th and 17th. You can improve your map skills, develop your safety awareness and learn how to take bearings and deal with emergencies. All abilities will be catered for, from novice hillwalkers to experts. The minimum price for a three-hour workshop is €45 per person. You can pay extra if you feel the course was worth more than that. 086-8604563, outdoorsireland.com.
Knockmealdown crossing
Peaks Mountaineering Club, in Clonmel, has a challenge walk on Saturday, April 24th. There will be three graded routes, 8.5km, 17km and 29.5km in length. The shorter walks will be led, but
the 29.5km walk is self-guided. You’ll need to be fit, and to bring suitable gear, food, water and a change of clothes. All walks will finish at the Glenview Lounge in Goatenbridge, where a meal will be served. The €25 fee includes transport from the bar to the start of the walks. 086-8357290, peaksmcclonmel.ie.
Orienteering
Coillte Outdoors invites you to come along to the bus park at Avondale, in Co Wicklow, at 2pm on Saturday, April 17th, for an introduction to orienteering. The courses are suitable for everyone. Navigate your way through exotic and native tree species, along the banks of the Avonmore river and down the famous Great Ride as you search for control points and their codes. Book on 0404- 46111; coillteoutdoors.ie.
- fbradley@irishtimes.com