Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk

Walking Routes & Information

This section contains event information for all walkers participating in the 2011 Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk, including information on clothing and essential equipment to bring, daily on-site registration, safety, transport, etc., together with an outline of this year’s walk routes.

During the sign-up process that you will have completed on this site, or by post, each walker will have indicated which days they intend to walk, together with confirmation of their mobile number for short walk updates. Walkers’ mobile numbers will be used to text them about any possible alterations to start times and rendezvous points the day before each leg of the walk. Your email address will be used to send you pre-event updates, including details regarding social events, potential celebrity involvement, new product support, etc.

If there is a change to your walk details, then please advise a member of The Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk organising team of these details either by: Telephone 021 490 1437 or via email info@kerrywaycancerwalk.ie

Location

Based on the success of last year’s event, and in response to 2010 walkers’ feedback, this year’s event will be based around the central location of Kenmare. On-site registration will take place each day at The Kenmare Bay Hotel, in the car park next to the Leisure Centre.

Walk Routes

Route Information:

Day 1 - Friday, 22nd July

Day 2 - Saturday, 23rd July

Day 3 - Sunday, 24th July

Daily On-Site Registration

With each walk route, we have highlighted the day’s registration time and start time. For health and safety reasons, all walkers will need to check in with the Organisers each morning before the walk commences, as well as checking out with their group Walk Leaders at the end of the walk each evening. Please note that these times will be strictly adhered to, therefore it is important to be on time for registration each day. The sooner everyone is registered and checked in, the quicker the buses can depart for each day’s start location. By being late for registration, you will be delaying your fellow walkers and affecting their walk experience, so we would kindly ask you to be there on time.

Please click here to view the walk routes for each of the three days.

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Some Words of Advice

Anyone setting out to walk a long distance trail such as The Kerry Way is embarking on a serious test of physical endurance. Each stage involves a period of several hours spent outdoors, frequently in isolated and remote locations and from time to time at altitudes above 325 metres. Various factors must therefore be taken into account before embarking.

Weather Conditions

Regardless of the fact that the walk is being held in July, it is essential to be aware of the unexpected weather conditions each day. Please bear in mind the likelihood of unfavourable weather, which can include high winds or heavy rain. In the unlikely event of extreme weather conditions, which may result in a compromise of walkers’ safety, any decisions to curtail or postpone the walk will be directed by the walk organisers on the day.

Clothing & Equipment

Important: Do not make any allowances for the fact that the event takes place in the summer!
Hopefully the weather will be good, but conditions may well be cold and wet in the mountains. It is important to make sure that you are properly equipped.

Footwear: Good boots are essential. If you plan to buy new ones, make sure they are well worked in before the event as blisters could be a disaster. It is always better if boots are slightly larger; having them slightly too small can have miserable consequences. Boots with a Goretex upper are flexible and waterproof. Sneakers and cross trainers are not suitable for this event. Anyone arriving at the event wearing them will not be allowed to take part as they do not afford suitable protection. Note: Your footwear must come above the ankle.

Waterproofs: You must have waterproofs with you during the event. It is essential to have a wind and waterproof outershell garment whilst on the mountains: Goretex or an equivalent fabric is ideal. These will need to be carried in your rucksack together with some spare warm clothes. Wet weather can lead to a high chill factor, even at this time of year, so overtrousers are also recommended.

Hats & Gloves: Hats and gloves are essential equipment if the weather is cold or wet. Alternatively, the sun can be strong, so have a sunhat as well!

General: Layers of clothing are better than very heavy single layers; a series of lighter mid and under-layers of clothing are recommended and it would be worthwhile bringing spare socks.

Personal Equipment: A medium size rucksack (25L or 30L) will be adequate to carry all your daily needs of clothing, food and liquids. A basic first aid kit including provisions such as blister plasters, blister cream and insect repellent is recommended. Don’t forget to bring sunglasses, as well as some lip balm and sunscreen (high SPF due to wind), as well as your mobile phone and a camera.

Guide Books, Maps & Mobile Phones: As this event is a guided walk, all navigation and co-ordination of communication will be directed by the walk organisers and leaders on the day. The entire route of The Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk is signposted by marker posts.

Mobile telephone reception is best on high ground, nearly always non-existent in the valleys, therefore regard a phone as an optional extra; useful for contacting your upcoming accommodation in the event of unexpected delay, or in the event of a real emergency - and only in such circumstances - Mountain Rescue. Each group will have a leader and sweeper to guide the group. All guides carry contact radios and communicate regularly throughout the day.

Fitness Levels

Walkers do not have to be mountaineers, but a good level of fitness is required. For more information on how to strengthen your fitness level, tips and a sample training guide for challenge events can be found on the Training section. All walkers will be put into groups, which will be lead by experienced walkers.

Product Support

We make every effort to source products such as water, isotonic drinks and energy bars as gifts in kind from national as well as local companies. However we cannot make any promises or guarantees of what we can provide at the event.

Refreshments

Bring plenty of food and liquids, for example sandwiches, bananas, apples, chocolates, energy bars, tea, several bottles of water, etc. It is anticipated that some refreshments may be provided by the kind support of some drinks and food companies. However, walkers should not rely on the provisions during the walk as they cannot be guaranteed.

The most important piece of advice on the day is that you keep taking on fluids at regular intervals. We also recommend that you eat plenty of energy snacks, e.g. nuts, biscuits and fruit in order to maintain those vital energy levels throughout the day as well as adjusting your clothing appropriately.

Safety & Walk Groups

Hill walking is an adventure sport and not devoid of an element of risk. Those taking part in any of the walks do so at their own risk. Information about training, equipment and safety is available on this site. Please ensure that you take time to review this information. The event is supported by volunteer Walk Leaders who will be available to provide guidance, monitor your progress and assist with any first aid.

Participants will be divided into walking groups with one guide leading and one guide at the rear. No one should pass the lead or fall behind the last guide and any instructions given by the Walk Leaders must be followed at all times for safety reasons.

Please remember this event is not a race. Everyone is encouraged to go at their own pace and the level of fitness will naturally vary throughout the group. Every group finishes each day’s walk together, as a group, however this may depend on the pace of the slowest person.

Please note that the pace set by the Walk Leaders provides the event organisers enough time to get everyone to Kenmare before it gets dark and also allows participants to enjoy the scenery and camaraderie.

The decision and authority of the Walk Leaders on all walks is final and at all times to be accepted by the participants.

• All walkers must be aged 18 years or over.
• The Kerry Way is not suitable for buggies or bikes.
• No dogs will be allowed to walk in the event.
• Please make sure you check in at the end of each walk.
• To help identify participants, please wear your free Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk t-shirt each day.

Social Meeting Points

On Saturday, 23rd July we will be organising a fun, relaxed evening for all walkers after their hard days graft! Everyone welcome to attend. This gathering will be an informal bbq and will take place in Tom Crean Fish & Wine (formerly d’Arcy’s Kenmare) from 7.30pm onwards. Cost of tickets only €15. Numbers will be limited so it’s on a first come first served basis. To avoid disappointment and to reserve your ticket(s) please contact the Development Office on 021 4901437. Should you have any dietary requirements please outline when purchasing tickets.

Registered walkers will be sent further information regarding this social night in an event e-zine once all details have been finalised.

Transport

Each walker is expected to provide their own transportation to the registration point at Kenmare Bay Hotel for each of the three days. Buses will be provided for all registered walkers, to take them from the registration point to the location of the walk starting point each day.

It is essential that all walkers arrive in plenty of time for registration in order to be ready for bus departure times.

Each walk will finish in Kenmare town centre. There will be no bus transportation provided at the end of the walking day. It is the walker’s own responsibility to get back to their cars or accommodation in the Kenmare area

Hill Walking Store Discounts

Mahers Outdoor Shop and Union Chandlery in Cork have kindly agreed to give 10% discounts on hill walking items purchased at the stores listed below for all Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk participants. In order to avail of these discounts, please present your Kerry Way Cancer Research Walk 2011 sponsorship card or confirmation letter at the time of purchase.

• Mahers Outdoor Shop, 7-8 Parnell Place, Cork. Tel: (021) 427 9233 (Manager: Collette Rowe)
• Union Chandlery, 4-5 Penrose Quay, Cork. Tel: (021) 455 4334. (Contact: John Bastow)

Irish Countryside Code for Walkers

• Respect all people who live and work in the countryside.
• Respect private property, farmland and all rural environments.
• Respect, and where possible protect, all wildlife, plants and trees.
• Do not interfere with livestock, machinery or crops.
• When walking, use approved routes and keep as closely to them as possible.
• Take special care when walking on country roads - walk in single file, on the right hand side.
• Leave all gates as you find them and do not interfere with or damage any gates, fences, walls or hedges.
• Guard against all risks of fire, especially near forests.
• Take all litter home; leave no trace of your presence, request that others do likewise.
• Always use gates and stiles in preference to fences, hedges or walls.
• Keep the number of cars used to the minimum and park thoughtfully.
• Take heed of warning signs – they are there for your protection.

Useful Contact Details:

National Waymarked Way Office
Met Éireann
Weather Dial (South West)
Mountaineering Council of Ireland Tel: 01 860 8823

Tel: 1550 123 850
Tel: 01 625 0115 www.walkireland.ie
www.meteireann.ie

www.mountaineering.ie