Your guide to responsible hill walking
This guide is intended to help you enjoy the mountain areas safely and in peace, with due regard for conservation and the interests of the local population.
We have put together a list below of the main things you should focus on while hill walking:

Be Weatherwise
Respect The Land
Consider Other People
Be Prepared
Taking Care of the Countryside

Be Weatherwise

• Conditions can change very rapidly. You should be prepared to turn back if conditions deteriorate. High winds and icing can be serious hazards. In winter daylight hours are less and conditions overall are harsher than at other times of the year.
• Low cloud or mist can slow up most parties. Exercise caution. Walk at a speed which gives a good view of the immediate ground ahead.
• After heavy rain, the crossing of rivers by stepping stones, and some low bridges, may be impossible. Do not attempt unorthodox methods unless they have been well practiced. Travel up or downstream to the safe crossing point.
• Summer and winter weather extremes pose their own particular problems. Know the symptoms and treatments of heat exhaustion and mountain exposure.

Respect the Land

• Keep to Public Rights of Way and permitted footpaths in enclosed valley areas and agreed access land. On some large scale maps, certain paths shown are not public paths. If in doubt, seek advice. Take particular care when climbing Lugnaquilla as this crosses military lands.
• Try not to disturb domestic or wild animals and leave flowers and plants for all to enjoy.

Consider other People

• If you dislodge a stone, immediately warn those who might be below you, shouting in a loud voice “BELOW”. Stones falling down a mountainside gather momentum quickly and can set off other stones, these in turn may move large boulders.
• Many mountaineers leave tents and rucksacks whilst they go off for a rock climb. Do not remove apparently deserted equipment.

Be Prepared

• Select equipment after asking advice and learn how to use it – Have a knowledge of basic First Aid – Know how to navigate properly – Attain a standard of physical fitness suited to your ambition –
• It is wise always to carry: Waterproofs, spare fleece, map, compass, whistle and some food. A First Aid Kit with chocolate or sugar and a polythene survival bag for emergencies. In winter, increase clothing and food and carry a good torch, gloves and hat/balaclava.
• Make sure the expedition or climb you are planning is not beyond your training, experience or fitness. Stay on known routes until you have a good knowledge of an area or become proficient in route-finding skills.
• For the inexperienced, travelling alone is inadvisable. It is sound practice to leave word of your route and report your return.
• Check the local weather forecast before you leave.
• In the event of injury, carry out immediate First Aid and evacuate the casualty or erect a shelter. Signal your distress, other mountaineers may be nearby and able to assist or telephone emergency services 112 and ask for Mountain Rescue Assistance. The International Mountain Distress Signal is 6 rapid signals (by whistle, torch, shout, etc.) repeated at one minute intervals until you are located.

Taking Care of the Countryside

• Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work.
• Guard against all risk of fire.
• Fasten all gates.
• Keep to public paths across farmland.
• Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls.
• Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone.
• Take your litter home.
• Help keep all water clean.
• Protect wildlife, plants and trees.
• Take special care on country roads.
• Make no unnecessary noise.