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Beginning Hiking

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  • 02-07-2015 10:47pm
    #1
    MagicMarker
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 32,865 ✭✭✭✭


    So I need to get myself a hobby that takes me out of the house, and with the season that it is I wouldn't mind getting out for a hike on the weekends. But I'm completely inexperienced, so have no idea what kind of gear is essential or optional or what hikes are easy/difficult.

    Where do I start? Oh, and I have no car.


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    #2
    unkel
    Registered Users Posts: 65,323 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    MagicMarker wrote: »
    I have no car.

    That would make it tricky. You could of course join a club like the Irish Ramblers who actively use car sharing from car parks easily accessible by public transport

    A club obviously also has the benefit of having the experience to help you start out, advice what gear you need, etc.

    It's also a lot safer if something happens if you are out hiking in a group than if you're on your own. There's no bears / wolves / snakes in Ireland but if you're hiking on your own, break your leg and have no mobile reception and the wrong gear, you could easily be in a lot of trouble very quickly


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    #3
    dogmatix
    Registered Users Posts: 1,404 ✭✭✭dogmatix


    MagicMarker wrote: »
    So I need to get myself a hobby that takes me out of the house, and with the season that it is I wouldn't mind getting out for a hike on the weekends. But I'm completely inexperienced, so have no idea what kind of gear is essential or optional or what hikes are easy/difficult.

    Where do I start? Oh, and I have no car.

    Not a problem - if you live in Dublin (esp. south dublin). I had no car for years but there where loads of options for getting into the hills from Dublin. Check out this thread here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=94144991

    Also there are plenty of 'essential gear' threads on this forum.

    + green line luas at brides glen stop.


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    #4
    obezyana
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,498 ✭✭✭obezyana


    The most important thing starting off is to have good hiking boots. Walking on rough terrain put the feet and legs under pressure and its very easy to get injured if you dont have good quality boots. The rest of the clothing depends on the weather etc...... i find sportsdirect have good stuff for good money clothing wise that is.

    Hiking is a great activity I was up the Comeraghs on wednesday with my 12yr old. We went for a nice 3hr hike and felt great after it......as always :)


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    #5
    Pat Mustard
    Registered Users Posts: 9,554 ✭✭✭Pat Mustard


    Proper boots are essential, of course. The next thing to have is a good waterproof, breathable jacket. You need to be able to keep dry and you can't always predict the weather when you are up in the hills.


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    #6
    knucklehead6
    Registered Users Posts: 6,782 ✭✭✭knucklehead6


    MagicMarker wrote: »
    So I need to get myself a hobby that takes me out of the house, and with the season that it is I wouldn't mind getting out for a hike on the weekends. But I'm completely inexperienced, so have no idea what kind of gear is essential or optional or what hikes are easy/difficult.

    Where do I start? Oh, and I have no car.


    There are also a bunch of groups on Meetup.com too, they have hikes most weekends and also during the week. There is almost always someone willing to give a lift to and from hikes as well.

    A couple of things you need though are decent boots & decent raingear


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