1StepMore.ie

A day of contrasts.

Mweelrea, the 3rd of this years 4 peaks challenge showing two sides of it's character.

Wonderful low level views of the wild western coastline and higher level views of the inside of a cloud. Hopefully peak 4 will be better...

Well done to all for sticking with the misty ascent and to for the continued support.


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Sitting, Standing, Splitting, Huddling, Propping up a bridge.

All valid positions, just so long as the map is orientated and the compass held level.

Dodging occasional showers on today with a group of midlands adventurers looking to up their map reading game.

Personally gratifying to have a course attendee gather up a group and return for a days navigation training.

Safe journeys Gents.

And thanks to for the input, jellies and photos.

Time for the final exercise...

Time for localised downpours and a closed road detour on my way home...

Time to go from Remote to confined space... sort of.

Another set of Level 3 responders ready to go. The promised showers held off until Sunday afternoon when they all arrived at once 🌧🌨

Many thanks to for helping out.

Now, time to pretend I'm a politician and head for summer recess.

Big group. Little group.

Big mountain. Little-ier mountain.

Mist. Sunshine.

We had it all at today's 53 Degrees North 4 peaks challenge up , with a sneaky detour for some taking in .

Not a thing was seen until near the end, when the mist finally lifted. Plenty of new faces joining the many regulars. All and looking forward to Peak 3 with Columbia Sportswear

Lovely bit of quality this afternoon delivered by Cormac from on behalf of

Ropework for Mountain Leaders was the topic. Looking at safeguarding clients when an emergency strikes.

Another full weekend spent running a Remote Emergency Care - Level 3 training course.

I really enjoy the interaction with the keen participants and the two way learning that comes with it.

Plenty of searching questions and scenarios of building complexity handled without drama.

A good way to spend a weekend.

There are still a few places left on the next course, the last before a summer break. Check in with for details.

Out guiding today for along with and taking a group from around Glendalough and up onto Lugduff.

The weather was fine, the conversation varied, a summit was achieved.

What more could be asked for?

Compact Level 1 First Aid training course today.

Held in on behalf of the South East league organisers.

There was learning, a few laughs, plenty of mutual friends and a fair bit of experience to draw on.

Best of luck with future Hill Race First Aiding duties 👍💪

Good company, good weather, good day on the hills.

Plenty of happy faces, old and new, at Round 1 of the 2024 4 Peaks Challenge.

under blue skies, such a wonderful place to be.

Next up is June 29th. You'd be mad to miss it.

Thanks again to for the support

Of the hundreds of races I ran, this one, on the 9th of June 2004 was the toughest.

Never before or afterward did I look so deep within to shape a race result.

It seemed so important then, that Wednesday night, 20 years ago.



photo:







https://www.imra.ie/events/report/id/244/

"Near there!" "Mind the holes" "F%*king weather"

"Has anyone ever...?
🙋🙋‍♂️🙋🙋‍♂️🙋🙋🙋🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️🙋🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️

Very experienced group, lots of real world breaking themselves stories shared. The two days whizzed by.
Well done to all.

Also a real mixed weather bag, but so be it for this weekends Remote Emergency Care Level 3 course, delivered on behalf of

First Navigation for Mountain Running course of 2024!

Put on especially for , who made all the weather arrangements.

Well done to all, lots of info flying around and a few long tricky legs nailed.

Many thanks to who's observation day turned into active assistance.

I'm feeling pretty happy right now, passing Winter ML Assessment happy.

This feels as rewarding to me and I couldn't be happier.

Many people helped make this a reality.
Oran O'Toole planted the seed.
John Lally gave early guidance.
Dr Shane Knox facilitated not just the course, but demystified academic endeavour entirely.
Gareth Elbell blurred the boundaries between Moderator and Mentor, building both confidence and my store of teaching hacks.
Andrea Bland, Justine O'Brien and Stephen Barrett played guinea pigs, allowing me road test my teaching sessions. They found the cul de sacs and right routes to take.
And to for being the constant support through all the good, bad, dark, light days. ❤️

The Magnificent Seven + the Foxhouse + Sunshine = Mountain Therapy.

Guiding an adventurous group today on for WicklowMountainsGuide

With the sun beating down we forsook the usual lines, seeking instead solitude on a route less travelled.

In amongst the high rocks overlooking Lugueer dragons were slain. The final approach to the summit taken with an upright bouncy stride.

A class day.

The happy dozen.

Today I'd the pleasure of hosting twelve experienced hikers from HF Walking Club on a Level 1 first aid course.

We set up shop early at the base and put in a long day of learning, laughing and confidence building. Well done to all for the effort put in.

A great way to start the weekend.

A day of contrasts.

Last spin around Crone Woods with the 1st years for 2024.

The rain stayed away but the mist was dense as could be.....until it wasn't and the views reappeared.

The route finished with an uphill challenge race. I finished 3rd 😊 (1st over 50 😂).

All followed up by lunch with and a trip to investigate venue possibilities for some upcoming demonstration.

A full day.

Shocking weather and Type 2 fun for todays 1st year class.

Massive thanks to for help providing bespoke routes that matched student motivation levels.

And prevent a descent into Type 3 "fun".

One more class to go, here's hoping the weather is less grumpy.

Rope Rescue Technician qualifaction now good for another 3 years 😁

Photo taken just before the heavens opened 😝

Under instruction rather than instructing!

Beautiful weather to start my recertification.

I do love ropes, shiny stuff and a challenge.
Training continues tomorrow with a great mix of people.

Another spin around the Maulin Mountain loop with 1st years.

The weather was consistently good, but the class was more like a steam driven luxury ocean liner of old.

Slowly, steadily building a head of steam that eventually had the turbines spinning the propellers at maximum RPM.

This week's special guest:

All followed by lunch up by the former Crockan Pond and Grouse House, with just a young fox and birdsong for company.

"Can I ask a question?..."
"I travelled 2 hours for this course"
"I flew from France for this training"
&
I had to do homework after Day 1

Level 3 outdoor first aid training at it's engaging best. Apart, that is, from the brilliant sunshine that tried to ruin the whole weekend 😏

Really enjoyable weekend on the April Mountaintrails Remote Level 3 course with a fine group of guides/educators from bike, water, forest school and scouting disciplines.

Who's in for May?

First day out with the 2024 1st years, up and around Crone woods and Maulin mountain. A great bunch, plenty of energy and (nearly as much) enthusiasm.

Given our spring weather so far, staying dry was a bonus. As was bumping into an athlete who greatly inspired me during my own racing days.

History, Culture, Geology, Habitat.
Sunshine, Rain, Chat, Laughter, Sweets.

The strikes again. All smiles and

Will you join us next time?





Guiding the way: , Milly and Aido

Wonderful start to the day. And to Easter.

Out again with the good people of the 53 Degrees North Columbia Sportswear , this time in collaboration with the effervescent Elaine from

We had cookies, brownies and rasher butties.
We had Djouce doing a passable Mount Fuji impression.
We had Solar Glories with a hint of Brocken Spectre about them.
And most importantly, we had chat, laughter and time away from the run of the mill.
How could you not be

Thanks again to Wild Walks Ireland and the insta shy Milly for sharing the guiding load.

I finished out the morning with a quick dash up Djouce, just in time to catch the last of the melting snow. Perfect.

Another productive weekend spent with a fine group of people, delivering REC3 First Aid training, on behalf of

Again the progression from Saturday morning to the final scenario was something to see. Making the two long days and multiple info dumps very worthwhile.

And, as with every course I learned a thing or two to add to my knowledge.

Thanks to all.

Before the hail...

Out today guiding for along with . Lovely group, but not so lovely weather.

The joys of March in the Irish Hills. And homemade cakes.


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Cold ✅️
Wet ✅️
Miserable ✅️
PERFECT

Dealing with Hypothermia in a Mountain Environment workshop for this morning.

It was great to meet todays group, who represented all stages of the Mountain Leader qualification pathway. From old hands to recently qualified, from just trained to awaiting assessment. All with a common goal, to keep their clients, peers, friends and selves out of the clutches of Hypothermia.

After I delivered a 1 day recertification course last month, had me back this weekend. This time to train up another batch of leaders to REC3 standard.

Lots of progress and a few laughs. And two hot lunchs 😀

Well done to all.