One of the busiest mountain rescue teams in the Republic has warned climbers and hillwalkers to ensure they are properly prepared when walking over the Christmas period.
The Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, which receives an average of two call-outs every month, has urged walkers not to assume that there will be mobile phone coverage. "A mobile is not a substitute for ability and preparation or a shield against bad conditions," Mr Gerry Christie, spokesman for the rescue team, said yesterday.
There have been a number of fatalities on Kerry mountains in previous Christmases. In just 10 days over the Christmas and new year period of 2001-2002, three people lost their lives.
The county has the highest mountain ranges in the country and attracts thousands of climbers over the St Stephen's Day and the new year. However, many of the so-called traditional tourist routes have become highly dangerous. This includes the famous Devil's Ladder to the summit of Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest mountain.
A recent submission to a committee of Kerry County Council by a community group said it had disintegrated into "a steep sluice of mud and loose scree" because of the increase in popularity of hillwalking.
It has now become so dangerous that walkers are avoiding it altogether, according to the Reeks Action Plan report, to be presented to Kerry County Council management shortly.
In recent weeks part of the route has slipped entirely. However, avoiding the traditional route is resulting in increased danger, the report has warned.
Mr Christie said winter hillwalking was far different to summer walking. He advised hill walkers to plan their route carefully, and to carry proper equipment, warm drinks and plenty of food and spare clothing.
"Start and finish early. Daylight is scarce, it disappears well before 5 p.m. this time of year," he said.
People forgot that it was much colder at higher altitude and the hills, even when not frozen, were greasy and slippery underfoot. "Simple slips are the immediate reason for most injuries sustained in the hills," Mr Christie said.
People should not even contemplate going up mountains in icy weather without specific mountaineering equipment and training, he said. "Let somebody know of your intended route and stick to it," he advised.
If climbers had come down a different route they should alert people and save needless anxiety and unnecessary call-outs he added.
A website, www.kerrymountainrescue.ie provides further information.