If you have made a resolution to spend more time in the greater outdoors in 2011 why not kick start the year with a training weekend with Outdoors Ireland. These mountain skills weekends will give you the guidance you need to venture off the beaten track. Experts will provide valuable information as to how hillwalkers should look after themselves on the hills. Areas of training will include equipment, map reading, navigation, mountain hazards, moving on steep ground and emergency procedures.
No previous experience is required. The training weekends will take place on 29-30 January, 26-27 March, 4-5 June, 24-25 September, 26-27 November, the cost for the course is €165.

Outdoors Ireland will also offer snow and ice climbing days, the dates for which will be confirmed once conditions develop. The price for these days will be €85.

Anybody who is interested in either event should contact Outdoors Ireland on 086 860 45 63, email info@outdoorsireland.com or check out www.outdoorsireland.com

RRP: €36

With the launch of the new Accu Core rechargeable battery for the phenomenally successful Tikka2 and Zipka 2 head torch ranges, Petzl has created a battery that is so much more than just a simple housing for 3 x AAA rechargeables.

First, one Core battery has the equivalent battery life of 900 AAA batteries. Secondly, the Lithium Ion technology enables this battery unit to work efficiently at lower temps, critical if you’re out winter walking, climbing or training at night.

Thirdly, your recharging options are not confined to a standard power point. With the included micro USB cable, you can charge the Core from your computer, iPod charger, solar charger or with the optional extra USB charger via your car or standard socket at home. The USB charger comes with adapters for UK EU and US plugs.

Finally, Petzl has developed a free download programme (Coretex) for the unit so you can adapt the lighting levels to suit your activity: High intensity for, short burn for night-time trail runs? Low light, extra long life for around camp or Alpine refuges? It’s up to you! The Tikka 2 Core (€77 approx) and the Tikka XP Core (€99 approx) both come with the new Accu Core built in.

Available from Great Outdoors, Dublin 2; 53 Degrees North, Carrickmines and Blanchardstown.

Using this skin-friendly wood training board (no more grazed knuckles) can lead to huge gains in upper body strength and finger strength which are vital for good climbing. The board offers an assortment of holds including jugs, a big sloper, edges and pockets and comes with comprehensive instructions, training guide and mounting hardware.

And it’s good looking too so wouldn’t look out of place screwed above a doorframe in most apartments or houses. Available from the Great Outdoors, Dublin.

Its lightness is down to being made from Gore-Tex’s new Pro Shell fabric which uses a woven rather than a knitted inner backer. This also means it has soft, silky feel so it slides more easily over other clothing and giving it better flexibility – something you’ll be glad of when you reach up for a high handhold.

Other features include two chest pockets, easily accessible upper arm vents, a fabulous helmet-compatible swivel hood with multiple neck Velcro fastenings to ease adjustment, micro-taped seams and water resistant zippers all over. The cut is slick and flattering so it looks good too. Lowe Alpine products are available from River Deep Mountain High, Limerick and Galway; Spórt Corrán Tuathail, Killarney; Great Outdoors, Dublin and Cotswold Outdoors, Belfast.

Because this helmet folds meaning it takes up less than half the area of the average climbing head protection. However, this space-saving feature has not come at the expense of safety as the helmet is fully CE certified. Nor does it require a 10-page manual to figure out the unfolding process. Simply fold down the back, pull down the sides until they click into place, and tighten on your head by squeezing forward the two green tabs on the rear. To fold closed just reverse the process.

This design is so cutting edge it won’t even be in the shops till February. It will be available from the Great Outdoors and is due to be priced at around €110. For details of other stockists, contact distributors Summit Sports, tel. 021-4621599.

There’s nothing more thrilling than taking hold of an ice axe, donning a pair of crampons and heading off to explore the ice and snow of the mountains. Below are some good options. As it’s rare to get these conditions in Ireland, it’s good to know that this equipment is also suitable for the Alps and for winter mountaineering in Scotland.

Scarpa Mirage GTX

Scarpa’s Mirage GTX GSB boots

Scarpa’s Mirage GTX GSB boots (€240) are ideal for everything from hiking in the Wicklow Mountains to trekking in the Alps or winter mountaineering in the Scottish Highlands.

This is a very versatile pair of boots. With some flex in the soles, they are comfortable enough for regular hill walking but are also stiff enough to offer security if you’re wearing crampons or are tackling trickier terrain.

Although they are compatible with all C3 crampons, they are specifically designed to be worn with Grivel’s GSB system crampons. That’s thanks to the small hole in the front of the boot’s sole which accepts a crampon binding and provides a more secure fit and reduced weight.

With plenty of room in the forefoot, the Mirages are very comfortable for most people – even those with relatively broad feet – and also offer great ankle support.

Scarpa products are available from the Great Outdoors, Dublin 2; 53 Degrees North, Carrickmines and Blanchardstown; and Snow+Rock, Dundrum, or for more stockists, contact www.mountainboot.co.uk.

Petzl Cosmitec Ice Axe

Petzl Cosmitec Ice Axe

Combining the advantages of a standard ice axe with a technical ice tool, the Petzl Cosmi’tec Ice Axe (€130) has a slightly bent shaft and reverse-curve pick for better penetration in ice. This axe is ideal for slightly technical alpine routes on which a half-day of walking may be followed by a couple short pitches of moderate ice. Weighing in at only 16.5oz, its more lightweight design makes it excellent for ski mountaineering as well. The large adze (hoe-like blade) is excellent for chopping steps and the shaft also has special coating for improved grip. The axe is available in several lengths to fit different sized climbers.

Petzl products are available from Exposure, Castlebar; 53 Degrees North, Carrickmines and Blanchardstown; The Great Outdoors, Dublin 2; Snow+Rock, Dundrum; and River Deep Mountain High, Galway and Limerick.

Ideal for variable, mixed terrain, Petzl’s Sarken Crampons (€155) attach easily using a U-shaped stirrup at the front and a wire heel.

With these 12-point crampons you’ll find it easy to penetrate hard ice and have stable front pointing on mixed terrain. They are ideal for everything from trekking on steep snow hills, glaciers or even attacking a true ice climb in the Alps. The anti-balling plates (to stop snow build up underfoot) are also a welcome feature.

Petzl products are available from Exposure, Castlebar; 53 Degrees North, Carrickmines and Blanchardstown; The Great Outdoors, Dublin 2; Snow+Rock, Dundrum; and River Deep Mountain High, Galway and Limerick.

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