‘It is a leap leaving a well-paid job’: Cork woman on retraining as a mountain leader

When Barbara O’Donnell left her demanding job as an engineer manager in IT, her life changed dramatically.

Ahead of her 50th birthday, the Castlemartyr woman decided to hit pause, and take time to think about her future.

Today, she has a new perspective on things.

“My life has been transformed since I decided to train as a fully qualified and insured mountain leader,” says Barbara, who is mum to Christopher, 18 and Matthew, 15.

Barbara was born in the mountains.

“I’m from the Bregeuzeswald region in Austria,” says Barbara, who met her husband Rory in Brussels.

“Ever since I can , I’ve been drawn to the wild.

“There’s an undeniable magic in the mountains, the forests, and the winding paths that keeps drawing me back.”

Barbara has gone wandering on the mountains many times.

“I’ve roamed the length and breadth of Ireland’s breathtaking landscapes, uncovering hidden gems and unforgettable experiences.”

She has had one unforgettable experience.

“I was going walking with Rory and the boys,” says Barbara.

“I made sure I had all the supplies and equipment that we needed for the trek.

“On arrival, I discovered the boys’ rucksacks had been left behind in the hall at home! We had to make do with Tesco plastic bags!”

Barbara says her working life became more difficult during the pandemic.

“My job became very stressful,” she says.

The stress of a responsible job, the stress of a long commute every day, running a home, caring for a family, with the added strain of covid was unmanageable.

“In 2023, I decided to take the summer off. I had to hit he pause button.”

Was she suffering burn-out?

“Most definitely. Something had to change. I needed a different space. I wasn’t coming up for air.

“I needed to look for more meaning in my life, not just a quick fix.”

The fresh air of the mountains and the great outdoors beckoned.

“When I was between jobs in 2023, I went on a hiking getaway to clear my mind,” says Barbara.

“I had been attending interviews and applying for other jobs at this time.”

Her mind was made up.

“I always wanted to do a mountain skills course, but I was always too busy,” says Barbara.

Now she made the time to fulfil her ambition, to scale the glorious heights of Ireland, the geological wonders that are the hills, to scale the foothills to the summit, all the while savouring Mother Nature and the wonder she offers.

“I’m so excited to share these adventures with fellow explorers like you,” Barbara tells me.

Not sure about being a fellow explorer, I accompanied Barbara and her five hill walkers to the Nire Valley at the foot of the Comeragh mountains on a dry, clammy spring day.

Looking up at the varying scary heights and the rough, stony, mossy terrain underfoot, I thought of volunteering to lay out the picnic lunch on the bench at the car park while the others took off.

But Barbara is a natural-born leader.

“Keep your eyes down and use your sticks,” advised Barbara as she led us up the mountain path to the picture-postcard scene of the blue calm, tranquil lake nestled between the shoulders of the steep hilly terrain.

Surveying the majesty and sheer wondrous spectacle before my eyes, I forgot about slogging up to the peak, tripping and stumbling and sweaty.

“You forget any hardships when you see these views,” Barbara says.

I forgot the question to her, ‘Why climb a hill?’

Now I had my answer.

For me, it is partly the challenging physicality of a large hill or impressive mountain that is uncompromising and simple.

You climb it or you don’t, but also their beauty, the solitude, the unknown paths. The physical exhaustion of climbing after a week at work, of mental fatigue, of too much coffee brings elation.

The hills offer an antidote, the steep slog of little concentration, the quiet reassurance of your leader.

The concentration of putting your feet in the right place so you don’t slip - all these things keep you in the moment, in the present, all thoughts of deadlines up in the air and far away.

So yes, it is easy to understand why Barbara ditched the corporate world for the great outdoors. It is easy to see why she persevered, climbing huge distances by day and by night.

“I ticked the boxes, like doing 40 hikes at least 16 metres long in all weather conditions, and often in the middle of the night, which could be hairy,” says Barbara.

“All routes need to be unique.”

Barbara re when she climbed her own personal mountain.

“Descending from one of the training climbs, my assessor showed me his fist.

“I was so exhausted, I did not know what that meant. Then he caught my hand, made a fist of it and bumped fists with me. I had ed! I was a mountain leader!”

Barbara was in her element.

“Being out in nature has such a calming effect on my mind,” she says.

“In a world where we are constantly bombarded with things, surrounding yourself with nature is a truly wonderful thing. I can recharge in tune with nature.”

Barbara had her two assessments to become a qualified mountain leader between November and March.

“I vowed that I’d qualify before I was 50,” she says. “I was 50 that February!”

Barbara agrees that taking to the mountains after working in a secure, well-paid job for a long time can be a gamble.

She is prepared to go the distance.

“Yes, the business might take a while to take off,” says Barbara.

“It is a leap leaving a well-paid job. I’ll give it time. It will work out.

“Nobody can take away the years I’m making it work.”

Hiking is in big demand.

“It is becoming more and more popular as a leisure pursuit and as a hobby,” says Barbara.

“I schedule different hikes with varying ranges of fitness and age in mind. I bring out clubs, individuals. I collaborate with Dandelion Yoga in Aghada, and an outdoor relaxing yoga session followed by a hike and meditation is a very refreshing way to spend a day.

“Hiking is for everybody. I see people walking all the time on roads. Why not discover more options? There are so many beautiful walks in Munster and in Ireland.

“All you need is a good pair of walking boots and a good weather-proof jacket.”

Barbara has many talents.

“I have a technical mind. Reading the com or reading the map is no bother to me.

“I can look at the map and put the map into reality. The skills are mathematical for some, and they are technical for others.”

Feel the fear, and do it anyway.

“Nobody should be afraid to go hill walking or up a mountain,” says Barbara.

“ing a walking club is always a good option. Walking clubs cater for all levels, and it is very social.”

Barbara has a new lease of life, embarking on her ion and sharing the joys of nature.

“When the changes came in my job during covid, I hardly noticed,” says Barbara.

“I was so focused.”

And now?

“Now I have a lot more freedom. I am a lot calmer. I am more relaxed. I have more time for my family. I have more quality time.

“My life has been transformed.”

She has time to stop and smell the roses.

“Going on the journey is what it’s all about.”

The American poet Robinson Jeffers was right.

‘It is only a small planet, but how beautiful it is.’