About TWG - Introduction and background to the TWG course
Student News - Information on next week
Course Schedule - Course programme (updated 3 June)
Students Downloads - Information from course participants
Tutor Downloads - Information from course tutors
Student Photos - Course photos taken by students
Useful Information links - Further information for students
Comeragh Trip - Student organised trip
The Devils Glen - Compiling cheat cards for guiding
TWG Forum - Try it out and see if it works!
Mountain Skills Assessment - Details are up.
TWG Project Groups - What goes in the background?

About Trail Walking Guide (TWG)

On the 23 November 2009 a new FAS local training initiative was launched in County Wicklow. The focus of this initiative is to assist twenty participants on a forty week journey to becoming Trail Walking Guides. Working out of a base in Avondale House forest park near Rathdrum, the twenty prospective future guides and their tutors, make use of Wicklow's natural amenities to study a variety of modules of national recognition and importance.
Hill walking proficiency, the Natural Environment,Access and Conservation, Heritage, Leave No Trace, Wilderness First Aid and a number of group management and leadership modules are just some of the components that make up the program.

The highly interactive programme continues to explore the uplands, forests, shores and valleys of Wicklow. It builds on an enthusiastic knowledge base that in time will be passed on by these 20 future walking guides, to their client groups through best practice, passionate interest and a love for the natural environment.

This page of the TORR Mountain Training web site has been dedicated to sharing ongoing information with the progress of this training course. Information is presented here by both the tutors and the students to inform and record the progress of this new Trail Walking Guide initiative.

Student News

Friday 28 May

It was so nice to get an email last night from one of you, thanking me and saying what a credit it was to me that so many of you got through the assessment over the last two weeks. Maybe so, but for me it is easy work because of the fun, interest and genuine passion that comes forward from you all. Well done and a big thanks for all the work and time put in.
However we are not even nearly finished, and the fun, work and need for passion may well be even bumped up to a whole new level now.
This in fact to me is a great refreshing point in the course of “looking after” all twenty of you. All those days of setting you off in groups, cocooned in your own team work, following a route of open safety, I think I may have become a little religious. Well.....maybe not religious, but there were one or two times that I had a quick sneaky word with the big man in the sky, making the usual false promises if all of you got back to Lynam's with at least the majority of your body parts intact.

SO WHERE TO NEXT?
You will all have got some degree of feedback from your assessors. They should have mentioned how easily you passed, or maybe how you just managed to scrape by. Please do dwell on this information and use it to make a decision about where to next. You are now going to have to think hard and decide where do you want to channel your time and interest. We have only three months left together and then you are out on your own. These three months should be used to mould the direction and experience you personally want to develop.
I am an outdoor mountaineering instructor that can offer training and assessment in all levels and interests. In truth however I can not create twenty different programme's for twenty different students. The ability and experience level that has formed between individuals within this FAS group is typical and a true reflection of the nature of the outdoors and mountaineering. I know that some of you have put in far more work than others, I know that some of you have a more natural ability for the hills and some of you are just lucky to be younger and maybe fitter. The important part for me is that there is still a place for everyone on the course, and I will continue to try and get my head around the management of this. I will concentrate on – no one gets left behind if they want to move on, and no one gets held back if they need to move on.

WHAT ARE THE CHOICES?
Are you a Mountain Leader (ML), a Walking Group Leader (WGL) or a Trail Walking Guide (TWG)?
All three of these roles will offer some common areas -

They are all based in the outdoor wilderness

They all demand an interest and understanding of the natural environment

They all expect that you are happy to promote and work in a variety of outdoor locations and weather

They are all leadership awards dealing with people

See which of the following block best suits you at this moment in time.

I want to be a Mountain Leader because....

I really enjoyed the Mountain Skills Assessment and felt I understood everything that was asked of me.

My assessors gave me some positive feed back on my overall ability

I would now like to make my hill walks longer and more sustained

I would like to explore different types of mountain terrain and feel I have the ability to move easily through steep/broken ground

Night navigation was really interesting and fun and I would also like to learn about staying out over night in the hills

I think my fitness would let me move a little faster (than the average) and maybe carry slightly heavier rucksacks

I want to learn to deal with and lead people of all abilities through all weather on any mountain in Ireland and the UK

I am willing to take this on as a long term plan and commitment and put in time, money and energy over at least another year.

I want to be a Walking Group Leader because.....

I enjoyed the Mountain Skills Assessment and seemed to understand everything that was asked of me

My assessors seemed happy with my level and were confidant in my ability

I would like to do slightly longer hill walks and cover a little more distance

I am happy to continue walking through bogs, deep heather and rough terrain but don’t want to go onto anything steeper

Night navigation was interesting, I would like to do a little more, but not stay out over night in the hills

I had no problem with the fitness level for mountain skills and could probably step it up a little

I want to learn to deal with and lead people of all abilities through the easier hill walks of Ireland and the UK and in pretty much any type of weather.

I see this as a long term plan that I will need to commit further time and money after the end of the course.

I want to be a Trail Walking Guide because.....

Although I enjoyed the mountain skills assessment I still just cant really get my head around all that navigation

My assessors seemed to think I only just got away with passing the assessment

Thank god the hill walks are over....well marked trails...here I come!!!!

Although I feel fitter now, the mountain skills assessment was about the limit of energy I have to offer

If I ever do night navigation again I hope it will be on a clearly marked path

Some of the ground we had to move through on the mountain skills was pushing my comfort zone

I would like to learn more about dealing with and leading people, but on nice easy marked paths

I want to complete all my training and assessment by August and leave it at that

I should also point out that within this FAS course -
If you are going towards Mountain Leadership, you automatically also work towards WGL and TWG at the same time
If you are going towards Walking Group Leadership, you automatically also work towards TWG

Lastly -
Anyone that still needs to get through the mountain skills assessment assessment will also be facilitated with a smile, hug and big boost from us all.

We will be meeting in Avondale on Wednesday at 9.30am, bring the usual gear.
Thanks
Tim

As I sat alone on the hill I watched the sun slip away beyond my world
Darkness crept in behind engulfing my life and time
All sounds ceased
All colours merged
My soul seemed to seep through to the open earth
And I felt the draw of my energies back to mother nature
Then I heard the voice, gentle at first, soft like a waking thought
Hello....Hello....Hello! Its time for night navigation...where are we now?
BUMP! Fecking assessors!!

Course Schedule

We now have the schedule plan for the last 3 months of the course in order, and the exciting thing is its now in landscape format!

As before, please check back here for any future changes or updates.
Locations for the practical days out will be confirmed on an ongoing basis. If unavailable for a day, students must contact their tutor prior to the beginning of the day to clarify.

Course schedule download

Student Downloads

Student day logs
- click to download -
Log (blank)
Log 23/11/09 (sample by Tim)
Log 02/12/09 (sample by Tim)
Log 03/12/09 (sample by Tim)
Log 09/12/09 (sample by Tim)
Log 13/01/10 (sample by Tim)
Log 14/01/10 (sample by Tim)
Log 17/12/10 (from Dave)
Log 09/01/10 (from Dave)
Log 14/01/10 (from Dave)
Log 30/01/10 (from Dave)
Log 04/02/10 (from Dave)
Log 17/02/10 (from Dave)
Log 18/02/10 (from Dave)
Log 03/03/10 (from Dave)
Log 05/03/10 (from Dave)
Log 11/03/10 (from Dave)

Tutor Downloads

Mountain Skills part 1 and 2 course notes
- click to download -

Depiction of Relief
Mountain Hypothermia
Measuring Distance
Navigation Techniques
Steep Ground Safety
Compass and Bearings
Parts of the Compass
Timing Cards
Route Cards
Map Scales
Weather

Student Photos

Leave No Trace and First Aid - by Adam
Comeragh's, Mahon Falls - by Adam
Comeragh's, Comshingaun Lough - by Adam
Glenmalure, Mullacor - by Adam
Trooperstown Hill - by Adam
MS2 training Scarr - by Adam
MS1 training Derrybawn - by Adam
GlenealoValley (snow) - by Adam
Knocknacloghoge - by Adam
Glenmalure, TableMt - by Adam

Useful Information links

Source further General Information
- click to go to -

The Heritage Council
Heritage Ireland
Wicklow Mountains National Park
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Wildflowers of Ireland
Coillte Outdoors
Tree Council of Ireland
Birds Ireland

Weather Information
- click to go to -

Weather forecast - Met Eireann Ireland
Weather forecast - Surface pressure forecasts Europe
Weather forecasts - Accu weather Wicklow
Current weather conditions - Annamoe
Current weather conditions - Ashford
Current weather conditions - Tullow
Current weather conditions - Arklow

Equipment and gear links
- click to go to -

Great Outdoors (dublin)

COMERAGH MOUNTAIN TRIP

To read the Comeragh trip report and see how it all went

The TWG course is planning to take a two day one night trip down to the Comeragh Mountains of Co. Waterford. As part of the scheduled course this will allow the students an opportunity to log required walks in a location outside of Wicklow.

We will be departing early Wed 17 Feb and returning late Thurs 18 Feb
The plan is that the bus will depart Avondale 8am Wed and return 8pm Thurs.
- Please let me know as soon as possible if this does not suit you -

For more information on the Comeragh Mountains I recommend the following site

Photos and information
Mountain View site

The organisation of this trip is in the hands of our elite project team.
- To offer assistance and suggestions please contact them directly -

Accommodation - Tom
Day route plans - Allan
Transport - Breffni (and Patrick)
Food - Santiago
Journal report - Adam and Mary
Evening entertainment - Liz

WALK DETAILS

Here are a few examples of the possible walks for the two days in the Comeragh's. We will need to keep day one short, as realistically I don't think we will be out on the hill before lunchtime. These are just suggested routes and further points can be added to extend the walk further onto the plateau.

Please do a detailed route card up for both days so that you have details of how long you will need to complete each circuit.

click for route plan of Day 1

click for route picture of Day 1

click for route plan of Day 2

click for picture of Day 2

click for overall map

The Devils Glen Cheat Card Project

As working guides leading inquisitive groups into areas, how do we prepare for question that the clients may ask through observation? We could spend a life time reading in preparation for any number of questions that might come up throughout the day. We could become expert scholars of geology, flora, weather, history, fauna, heritage ...etc. I would however suggest that their is a much easier and fun way to prepare yourself. Simply go to the area yourself and as you walk the route observe. Look for what you would like to know about, see what catches your eye. It will often be the same as to what your clients are going to observe and ask you about. If they don't, well at least you can still point out what you have observed, source and gathered information on. We can not be expected to know everything about everything, but we should be able to exhibit a basic understanding and more importantly a curiosity to learn more. I am often happy to tell my groups that I am not too sure of the answer to a particular question, but I do know where we can find out later on, or even better give them the channel and sources to do the information search for themselves....and then teach you the answer!

I also do not think it is cheating to carry notes with you on a particular walk, it shows a lot of interest and preparation. If in a particular rich area of information that you believe your group might appreciate, I would even recommend that you can carry small pocket books of relevant information. However always consider the weather, a laminated sheet of clear factual points lasts a lot longer than a sodden pocket book.

Last of all do not forget that you may have expert information already within you guided group. Don't be afraid to invite your clients to share their knowledge and even correct some of the "facts" that you put across.

Please feel free to take part in the following project whether you are on the TWG course or not. If you have other question that could be included feel free to send them on. I will publish the finial completed cheat card on this page in time for all to use.

Questions to be answered concerning the Devils Glen, Co Wicklow

On Thursday, while we explored the Devils Glen, I asked each group to write down question about observations that they made. These questions were to be relevant to the area and useful as gathered information that they might be able to use when guiding clients in this area. I would now like to compile answers to a selection of the questions asked.
Anyone can send me information to put up for one or all of the questions asked. They can be short one-word answers or lengthy ramblings. You can even put them in song or rhyme.
When this page is completed it would be nice to compile a short cheat card to assist guides leading clients through this beautiful area.
Please email any information that you can find for me to put up for all to see. I would also appreciate if you could mention where you source the information that you send on and any relevant links we could make use of

So….get reading, goggling or asking around.

How large is the overall area?
How many trails are there?
Where does the name “Devils Glen” come from?
How was the Geology of the V-shaped valley formed?
How many sculptures are there? Who created the paths?
Who maintains the paths?
What is the type of rock forming the waterfall?
What happens to the trees that naturally fall in the woodland (of paths)?
Who decided to bolt art on to the living trees?
Are the Rhododendrons getting cut back and controlled?
Is the wild garlic safe to eat?
Can you access the other side of the river?
Is the tunnel on the upper path man made?
What is the name of the river?
Who did the land belong to before the current owners?
What time does the car park barrier close?
Are the sculptures made out of local wood grown on sight?
Are all the trees native?
Who wrote the displayed pomes?
Who lost the dog?
Is that the gate to hell?
Where and why did the river get its name?

Mountain Skills Assessment

THE DATES AND GROUPS FOR THE
MOUNTAIN SKILLS ASSESSMENT

Wed 19 and Thur 20 May
Adam, Allan, Deirdre, Santiago, Geraldine, Sinead, Bill and Breff

Wed 26 and Thur 27 May
Mary, Anne, Maurice, Paddy, Pat, Dave, John, Martin, Liz, Tom, Luke, Dermot

TIMETABLE FOR BOTH ASSESSMENTS

Wednesday
2pm       Meet in Avondale for written paper and gear check
4pm       Meet at designate point for start of practical
12am       Finish

Thursday
10am       Meet at designate start point for start of second day practical
3pm         Debrief and results
4pm         Finish

EQUIPMENT LIST FOR THE ASSESSMENT

You can borrow gear from the other group for your assessment, but you must have all the below as a minimum (it will be checked!)

Full hillwalking gear (normal day gear)
Both maps - 1:25000 and 1:50000
Compass
Torch + spare batteries
First aid kit
Bivi Bag
Food and water
Spare clothes, food and water
Waterproof inner bag for rucksack

If you are incline to loose or break anything while on the hill (head torch, compass or map) make sure that you have a back up in your rucksack for the assessment

SAMPLE MOUNTAIN SKILLS ASSESSMENT WRITTEN PAPER

TWG Project Groups

We are hoping to keep some background work developing for the good of the TWG class and the future development of the TWG group. Students are taking on roles within project groups that will report back to the class on their particular projects progress.

The TWG Mountaineering Ireland Club Project

Tom, Geraldine, Breffni, Bill and Adam
(first group meeting Wed 7 April @ 3.30pm)

As part of their training requirements, all of the TWG students will be registering with BOS (the Irish Mountain Training Board) and becoming members of Mountaineering Ireland (the National Governing Body for mountaineering in Ireland). To assist with the continuation and further development of the TWG course, the students have decided that they would undergo this process as a club rather than as individuals. The broad outline of this project will be to develop a club based structure through the MI guidelines.

Club Name: Wicklow Walking Guides
Club President: Adam McAllister
Club Secretary: Martin (Leave No Trace) Hansard
Club Treasurer: Tom Meehan

The TWG Syllabus Development Project

Anne, Dave, Mary, John and Santiago
(first group meeting Wed 14 April @ 3.30pm)

Currently in Ireland there is no official recognition of a Trail Walking Guide qualification. The future development in addressing a possible future national recoganised Leadership award requires substantial development. This includes compiling a syllabus, developing a structure and seeking national approval. This project group will be assisting me in seeking and managing the necessary work load to assist the development of this future award.

Information from Failte Ireland

Failte Ireland 2006 Hiking/Walking
Failte Ireland 2007 Hiking/Walking
Failte Ireland 2009 visitor feedback

Information from South African Mountaineering Development & Training Trust

Basic Mountain Walking Syllabi
Basic Mountain Walking Prospectus’s

The Wicklow Trail Profile

Liz, Allan, Pat, Sinead, Paddy, Maurice and Luke
(first group meeting Wed 21 April @ 3.30pm)

The future of public walking trails throughout Wicklow is paramount to the prospective future businesses of the TWG students. This project will firstly compile the current standing of what is available throughout the county and then seek to produce a program of assistance that the TWG course can offer in further promotion of trail walking.