Mountain search fails to locate Swede

ONE of the most intensive mountain searches ever staged in Co Kerry failed yesterday to locate a Swedish climber missing since Tuesday last.

Some 183 climbers and walkers from clubs north and south of the Border, including a contingent from Wales, took part in the search between Mangerton and the southern side of Carrauntuohill outside Killarney. The search was coordinated by the Kerry Mountain Rescue team assisted by Civil Defence, gardaí, sniffer dogs and a Shannon Marine Rescue helicopter.

The searchers established that the climber, Mr Olos Jansen, 22, who has army experience, having left his Kilgarvan starting point, camped on Mangerton mountain on Tuesday night.

He was then expected to make his way from Mangerton to Carrauntuohill on Wednesday, a stretch described by one of the searchers as an ambitious trek on even a long summer’s day. When no more was heard from the man, the alarm was raised on Thursday night.

Saturday and yesterday’s search conditions were said to have been extremely good by comparison to Thursday and Friday and volunteers managed to cover an extensive swath of mountainous terrain.

Underfoot conditions have been less than ideal and, on higher ground, ice and light snow has made walking difficult for even the most experienced walkers. Tim Murphy of Kerry Mountain Rescue said the response from the very many volunteers taking part in the search was extremely positive. The search will be resumed at first light today, but the rescue co-ordinators said they expected less volunteers would take part.

However, no trace was found of the missing tourist who was carrying enough food for four days.

The missing man is described as six feet four inches tall and with an athletic build. He was wearing a dark jacket and carrying a large rucksack.