Mid Tipp Walkers eyeing up Ben Nevis

Thirty-eight members of Mid Tipp Hill Walkers head to Scotland for their eighth annual winter mountaineering meet.

The group will stay in Fort William and will take on a series of challenges at various levels of difficulty, all depending on weather.

Hopefully there will be good snow conditions. Nearly all walks and climbs will involve crampons, ice-axes and, in some cases, ropes.

For first-timers, the highlight is likely to be the ascent of Ben Nevis led by Ray Creaney.

John G O’Dwyer hopes to lead a group up the Ledge Route, descending by Tower Gully which will be new to the group.

Jim Finn will lead a walk in the beautiful Lost Valley and Ollie Walsh will lead a ridge walk in the Mamores.

Dan Condren will take in the Ben from No 4 Gully.

The Scottish trip has become one of the social highlights of the year for Mid Tipp members and the group look forward to great walking and craic.

Meanwhile, last weekend a group of 18 walkers did a six hour high level walk taking in the Comeragh and Monavullagh Mountains.

This was longer than the usual Sunday walk, a good training exercise for Scotland.

This Sunday, while most high level walkers are away, Joan Lysaght and Maura Creaney will lead a moderate level walk, leaving from opposite the fire station in Cashel at 11am.

New walkers are very welcome. Just bring boots or strong shoes, warm clothes, rain gear and a packed lunch.

A change of clothes and footwear for after the walk is also good idea.

For further details about any of the walks, check out the club website at www.midtipphillwalkers.ie