Five climbers rescued from 'quite precarious' position on Carrauntoohil's Howling Ridge

The numbers climbing Carrauntoohil have reached “industrial levels”, according to Kerry Mountain Rescue Team's Gerry Christie. File Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan

Five people stranded overnight near the top of Carrauntoohil have been successfully rescued.

The three men and two women were removed from a "quite precarious" position on the Howling Ridge one of the most difficult approaches to the summit of Carrauntoohil after an operation which involved the Rescue 115 helicopter and members of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team who set out at 6 am.

Nobody was injured although they were reportedly cold after spending the night on the mountain. 

They had ropes and equipment though whether they were experienced is not known, nor has their identity being revealed by their rescuers.

Their cars remained at Lisleibane and they were able to drive away.

The party of climbers contacted the emergency services last night.

Numbers of mountain climbers on Carrauntoohil at 'industrial levels'

Rescue 115 assisting Kerry Mountain Rescue Team in the rescue this morning. Picture: Domnick Walsh

Meanwhile, the numbers climbing Carrauntoohil have reached “industrial levels”, according to Kerry Mountain Rescue Team's Gerry Christie.

The forum which manages the MacGillicuyddy’s Reeks conservation project said the number of walkers are expected to break all records this year and are no longer sustainable.

Speaking on Radio Kerry and on RTÉ Radio earlier today, Mr Christie said last Saturday on the top of the Devil's Ladder there were “traffic jams with people coming up and down”.

Patricia Deane, manager of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks European Innovation Partnership programme said the numbers climbing Carrauntoohil alone will exceed those of 2018, a record year which saw 238,000 counted on the peak.

“The mountains can’t sustain the numbers. These are fragile environments with slow-growing vegetation and flowing water,” Ms Deane said of the high volumes of rainfall.

All the upland areas were designated areas for protection but the numbers using the mountains now in what was seen as a free activity was actually very damaging for future generations, Ms Deane added.

If most people used the paths it was not so bad but now some people are not using the paths.

“All upland areas must be protected,” she said.