GO OUTDOORS:Summertime is here and the likelihood of people heading into the hills again or indeed for the first time is high. Mountains have a certain allure and the temptation to be up there can be difficult to resist. So, common sense must prevail and preparation is essential.
Irish mountains are not high by general standards, but they can be dangerous even for experienced walkers. Even on the seemingly benign trails, dangers lurk for the unprepared and there are many problems that arise regularly.
People need to dress properly as the weather can change dramatically in the mountains and temperatures can vary significantly between the valley floor and the mountain top. Proper footwear with ankle support is a must, as is a working knowledge of reading a map and using a compass.
Adequate food and drink should be brought – in particular, children’s energy levels drop very quickly – and routes should be researched and planned in advance. Be aware that exposure to UV rays increases as you gain height, so adequate sun block should be used. Sun stroke, heat stroke and heat exhaustion are common.
In my early hillwalking forays, I too pushed the safety envelope – partly through a lack of contact with people who had mountaineering experience and also because of a dearth of accessible information about mountain safety. This is no longer the case because Mountaineering Ireland, in association with Fáilte Ireland, Mountain Rescue Ireland, irishtrails.ie and WalkNI.com, has published a leaflet, Walk Safely, which gives comprehensive information on how to keep safe in the mountains. It is available from tourist information offices or at mountaineering.ie.