UL Outdoor Pursuits Club

‼️IMPORTANT‼️
There have been reports of littering and overnight parking in a lot of popular climbing areas recently, which has led to farmers in those areas restricting access. In some areas, such as the Murlough side of Fairhead, climbing has been prohibited altogether. In Doolin, there have been some issues with overnight parking which has led to this sign being put up. We as a community rely on the kindness and trust of landowners to let us climb on their land so let’s not break that trust by ruining the landscape. With the easing of restrictions it’s great to be able to get outside more, however we have to be mindful of proper etiquette when hiking/climbing outdoors. Please if you are spending time outdoors, remember to pack out all your litter with you, and don’t camp or park overnight on farmers’ land. Whilst not all these issues are the fault of climbers, we all have a part to play in maintaining access to the great climbing areas in Ireland. 🧗‍♀️

Tonight at 7 p.m., we are holding a virtual talk where we will be joined by our guest speaker, Tomás Walsh. Tomás is a former OPC member who has been involved with South Eastern Mountain Rescue (SEMRA) for the past number of years. SEMRA is a truly incredible group of volunteers who are crucial to all who take on the mountains. Tomás will be discussing what is involved in the job of a mountain rescuer, the different rescue situations he's been involved in, what you should do if ever in trouble in the mountains, and all things relating to the organisation. This is an event you don't want to miss!

If you're struggling to think of costume ideas for our Halloween event tomorrow, here’s some inspo from our members at last year’s Halloween party at the old bouldering wall:
Our new president Meabh can be seen here dressed up as a pirate, Conor Griffin as what he loves most; a climbing wall and me as a zombie climber, our former PRO Aisling as a skeleton with our resident surfer Leah as a fortune teller, Darragh Griffin as a retro climber and finally Conor Murray as a lumberjack!
Try and get as creative as possible with your costumes and you might be in with a chance of winning a €50 All for One voucher!😄

Hi everyone! Hope you’re all having a great week and are easing into the spooky season 🎃🎃
Join us this Friday at 7pm for a Halloween movie night! (We’ll be announcing the movie later tonight once the instagram member poll has decided 🧙🏻‍♀️🧙🏻‍♀️)
As well as a movie we’re encouraging everyone to dress up as there will be also be a halloween costume competition 👻🧛🏻‍♀️🧙🏼 There will be prizes for best costume and for the first runner up!
Hope to see ye all there!

Link:

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Join us this Thursday for our online AGM/Info Night! 🖥We’ll be sharing everything new members need to know about OPC🧗🏽‍♂️, informing returning members about how things will be running this year with covid restrictions ⚠️and of course we’ll be nominating a whole new committee for 20/21 👨‍👩‍👧

Make sure to request membership and join OPC if you haven’t already and be with us on Thursday for what will be an AGM/Info Night like no other before 🤩
🖥🍺🏞

Save the date❗️
📅📅📆 Female Master Class, Part 5, an Interview with , trad & Himalayan rock climber.
21 October at 7 pm on Zoom ❗️

In the 5th episode of the Women in Sport Female Master Classes, Bray-based climber, CLARE SHERIDAN, will share stories about her life and climbing experience spanning 50 years. She will answer questions about her climbing expeditions, climbing projects, being a mother and a teacher, and the changes around the perception of women in sports, especially in rock climbing. Clare just published her new book, Uncoiling the Ropes, which contains fresh and interesting views on the current condition of Irish mountaineering. Tune in on Wednesday, 21 of October on Zoom (pre-registration essential). The event is free and open to everyone. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/female-master-class-with-clare-sheridantradalpine-himalayan-rock-climber-tickets-124430935277

Women With Altitude; Women with Altitude; BBC Sport; Sport Ireland; Women in Sport; Women in Mountain Training; Irish Climbers; 20x20.ie; The Dublin Climbing Centre; Gravity Climbing Dublin; Awesome Walls Dublin; Awesome Walls Social Climbers; Suas Climbing Centre; Boulder World Belfast Climbing Centre; Tollymore National Outdoor Centre; Trevor Tollymore; Female Sports Forum; Irish Mountain Rounds; Wicklow Mountains; Fairhead Climbers; Irish Times Sport; RTÉ Radio 1; Irish Examiner; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Awesome Walls Cork; Kevin Kilroy; Alpine Climbing; Fairhead Climbing Meet 2021; Michelle O' Loughlin; Lucy Mitchell; Eimir Mc Swiggan; ; Rock climbing;

Emails for week 1 have been sent! Make sure to check your junk mail if you can’t find it 💕💌

STILL NOT SURE WHAT TO EXPECT?

If you’re still looking for more info about the club, make sure to join us on instagram where we will be answering questions tonight! ✨
Insta:

WHY JOIN OPC?

So why should you join OPC? We’ll give you a few good reasons:
1. EXPLORE IRELAND☘️�OPC organise trips to some of the most beautiful areas of Ireland. One week you could be climbing in the Burren National park🌅, watching the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean and the next week you could be hiking in the Wicklow Mountains National Park🌲, exploring ancient monastic ruins.
2. DEVELOP STRENGTH AND SKILLS💪🏼�With the training provided by OPC - such as SRT training, and our campus runs, members can start as a complete beginner and progress to a level that will allow them to feel competent on international trips😜. With each activity or event you partake in you’ll begin to feel fitter and stronger💪🏼.
3. BOOST YOUR MOOD😁�Spending time outside is a great way to relieve stress and boost your mood. 🍀Joining us on our weekly trips ensures you get your dose of fresh air. Also you just can’t beat that endorphin rush you get when you finally send that route you’ve been projecting for a few days🧗🏽‍♂️
4. VISIT DIFFERENT COUNTRIES�OPC usually organise international trips during the time off during the semester. Over the past few years we’ve had winter 🏔mountaineering trips to Morocco, Scotland and Poland, sunny sport climbing trips to Spain and Italy🧗🏼‍♀️, and long Alpine summer trip to Chamonix in the French Alps. These trips include gear, local guides and training, but best of all they are suitable for those on a student budget!😆
5. HAVE FUN�OPC trips are full of craic. 💀There always someone telling a joke or a funny story. Whether you’re singing on the bus, jumping in bogs, hanging out by the crag or running through a forest, you’re bound to have a smile on your face. 🤩
6. MAKE FRIENDS👭👬👫�UL can sometimes be a scary place when you first arrive, the lectures are quite big, the campus is overwhelming. Joining clubs and societies are a great way to meet people with similar interests as you. OPC is a welcoming and fun space where you can make new friends outside of your course. ❤️

So whats stopping you? Make sure to keep an eye out for our next post about how to join OPC!👀

SO WHATS THE STORY WITH THE NEW CLIMBING WALL? 🤩

Finally the post everyone has been waiting for!🧗🏼‍♀️

The new climbing wall, which is situated right beside the UL Arena, will open on the 9th of October this year (provisional to change).😆

OPC will have 9 hours a week for use of the facilities at the wall. ⏰
These times are:
MONDAY 8:30pm-10:30pm
TUESDAY: 6:45pm-10:00pm�WEDNESDAY: 6:45pm-8:15pm
And THURSDAY: 6:45pm-10pm

OPC members are welcome to use the wall during commercial slots, but there will be a fee upon entrance of six euro. 🧗🏽‍♂️

IMPORTANT‼️: Due to Covid19 restrictions there is a current capacity of 20 people in the wall at any one time, this may change as restrictions tighten/loosen.