Hillwalkers warned of mountain danger

Thousands of climbers planning to scale Ireland’s highest mountain tomorrow were warned to beware of the dangers.

Gerry Christie of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Service said many people planning to continue the festive tradition of conquering the summit of Carauntoohil in Co Kerry were ill-prepared.

The volunteer worker said: “It is a huge tradition apparently – for that half of the world that live in Kerry anyway – people have an ambition to climb it on St Stephen’s Day.

“A lot seem compelled to do it and we have misgivings about the sheer volume and misgivings of the climbers understanding about the risks.

“There is a strong streak in Irish people – they say let’s have a shot. There is a lot of admiration for that but if things go wrong, it could be nasty.”

The volunteer-rescue service believes there is a more than 50% chance that its services will be required, with an even greater chance if it snows.

Mr Christie said he was not a killjoy but winter mountaineering and hill walking are serious undertakings.

“People die in the mountains every year,” he warned.

“Over the last decade, around a dozen people have lost their lives in accidents on mountains.”

During the 12 days of Christmas in 2001 three people lost their lives - including an experienced 23-year-old mountaineer who died in an accident on St Stephen’s Day.

Mr Christie said that at least one person in the group needed to have knowledge of mountain climbing.

“I am not trying to get people not to exercise but it is steep ground and it will probably be cloudy and the daylight is scarce.”

The rescuers said people should heed the weather forecasts, plan their routes carefully and carry appropriate equipment, including plenty of food and spare clothing.

The volunteer said other people should be informed of their intended route and they should not assume that there will be mobile phone coverage.

“People think it is going to be just like a stroll in the park but up a step. If they slip and break their leg in the park, the ambulance can get to within 200 metres of them, but if they slip and break their leg on the mountainside, the ambulance can only get to about two kilometres away,” he warned.

The rescuer said there were many other options to Carauntoohil.

He said the Torc mountain was a nice introduction to hillwalking.

“It is half the height of Carauntoohil and the view from the top is spectacular – you can see right down into Muckross Lake.”