Stay safe while out hiking in Wicklow

AHEAD of the Irish Red Cross Sunrise Summit Challenge this weekend, charity challenge guide Ronan Mullen from Adventure.ie offers five key tips for staying safe while out hiking. With the long evenings and better weather now is the perfect time to get your walking boots on. Ireland boasts hundreds of tracks and trails suitable for all levels of fitness. Be sure to take necessary precautions before heading out this spring.

Don’t be fooled by good weather in your locality. Always check a reliable weather source for the full day forecast in the area you plan to hike before you leave. Given the changeability of Irish weather, take a lightweight waterproof jacket even if sun is forecast for the day.

Start with shorter hikes if you are getting fit or new to hiking. There are countless health benefits to be gained from hitting the trail, but hitting it too hard can result in injury and ruin the enjoyment for you.

Consult a good old fashioned map or a reliable online source to check the distance and difficulty of planned routes. Planning ahead is important as there may be an unexpected climb or river that the hiker is not prepared or experienced for. Also, check if the planned route is a loop back to the start point or if it ends somewhere else. It is also important to check if there is public transport available if the route is not a loop in order to get back to parked vehicles.

Always carry a fully charged mobile phone, but keep it turned off to preserve battery. If something goes wrong, a hiker will need maximum battery. Pop it into a ziplock bag to keep it dry and carry it on you so it’s near to hand. Hiking in groups is a fun way to explore Ireland’s mountain tracks and trails. It can also be safer than hiking alone. Organise to go with a group of friends or join up with a social group. Whether hiking alone or in a group, tell someone where you are going and when to expect you back. If something goes wrong and they can’t contact you, they will know to send help.

The Irish Red Cross 2017 Sunrise Summit Challenge will take place this Sunday, April 30, at six mountain locations around Ireland, including two in Wicklow, Lugnaquilla and Djouce. The charity night hike raises funds for communities affected by natural disasters and conflict worldwide and has routes for most levels of fitness and experience.