Hill walkers warned of holiday dangers

Hill walkers and climbers were today warned to take care this festive season following a series of tragic mountaineering accidents.

Gerry Christie, chairman of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, said recent Christmas seasons had tragically demonstrated that it was an accident prone period in the mountains.

“Please, please take great care. Don’t make future Christmas and New Year holidays a time of sadness for your family, friends and colleagues,” Mr Christie urged. “Winter mountaineering and hill walking are serious undertakings. They are not to be embarked upon lightly or carelessly.”

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 there were several key points hill walkers and climbers could follow to ensure their safety.

“Do not go to the hills alone, in the past 12 months two climbers have died in Kerry, another has disappeared and is presumed dead. All three went to the hills alone. Your safety margin is unacceptably compromised no matter how experienced you are when alone,” he said.

Climbers were advised to always get a weather forecast and take it seriously. Mr Christie said people should start and finish early, as daylight is scarce during the winter period.

One of the biggest contributors to mishaps in the hills was highlighted as inadequate navigational skills.

Navigational errors are responsible for several emergency call-outs each year

People were advised to plan their routes carefully and ensure the abilities of the party in endurance or navigational terms were not exceeded. Mr Christie advised climbers to let another person know any intended route, to not assume there would be mobile phone coverage and remember it is much colder at altitudes.

He urged people to carry sufficient and appropriate equipment, including warm drinks, a torch, food and spare clothing.

“Remember it is much colder at altitude and that if not actually frozen and icy, the hills are very greasy, wet and slippy underfoot. Simple slips are the immediate reason for most injuries sustained in the hills,” he said.