Galway Mountain Rescue Team urges hillwalkers to be prepared
Galway Mountain Rescue is urging all hillwalkers and climbers heading to Conemara in the coming weeks to plan ahead and carry appropriate supplies. The team responded to two emergency calls in the last week of September and worked through the night on both occasions to bring stranded hikers to safety. On both occasions rapidly deteriorating weather conditions played a major role in the difficulties leading to the need for rescue.
“The mild weather is encouraging people to take the hills” according to Ronan Concannon, team leader of Galway Mountain Rescue. “However, the weather in the mountains is extremely changeable at this time of year and visibility can quickly drop to zero leaving you stranded and unable to find your way to safety.”
Both of the rescues were carried out in the south half of the Twelve Bens range with the stranded walkers being found at locations just two kilometers apart. This area contains a large number of sharp ridges and cliffs which become extremely dangerous in poor visibility. The first rescue brought two brothers in their sixties to safety after they became stranded on the side of Derryclare Mountain in zero visibility. Search parties located them just before midnight following a six hour search hampered by darkness and the adverse weather conditions. The second rescue, exactly seven days later, required the team to carry technical rescue equipment on foot for two hours from the nearest road to extract the 47 year old walker from the gully in which he was trapped.
Walkers heading to the Twelve Bens are advised to ensure that they carry a map and compass and are able to navigate in poor visibility and in darkness. Walkers are encouraged to plan their routes carefully, start early and if weather conditions deteriorate to cut their walk short in the interests of safety. They are encouraged to carry sufficient emergency supplies that they can sustain themselves while waiting for rescue, as due to the remote nature of the mountain range rescue teams may take up to 4 hours to arrive on scene. A mobile phone cannot be relied on to work in such a remote location so it is vital that you notify someone of you your route and expected return time.
3/10/2011
