Rise in rescue incidents on Ireland’s highest mountain this summer

Kerry Mountain Rescue has responded to dozens of call outs on consecutive days this summer as people trying to climb Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest mountain, have faced "serious injuries".

On Friday, it dealt with its 39th callout since June and 19th since the start of August, including “serious, potentially life threatening injuries”.

Last week, the team responded to three call outs, two of which were high on Carrauntoohil.

“Both cases involved head and other serious injuries. Long, exhausting stretcher carries were necessary,” the team said in a statement on its social media.

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So far in August, the mountain rescue have dealt with head injuries, dislocated shoulders, a broken shoulder, broken ribs, broken legs and broken ankles.

“Being called on successive days places a huge strain on volunteers who are seriously committed to what they do. Volunteers must juggle day jobs and family commitments and are increasingly exhausted and worn down by the high volume of call outs on consecutive days.”

Carrauntoohil was “not a walk in the park” but it was “frequently approached as such with serious consequences.”

It would take “possibly two hours” before assistance reached those in need of help and “three hours or more” for stretcher evacuation.

Those planning to climb Carrauntoohil or any of the surrounding MacGillycuddy Reeks should make sure they are properly prepared and equipped, they said. Climbers should wear proper boots, carry a map, consult the weather forecast in advance and research intended routes.

“It will and does go wrong for the best prepared but the ill prepared will always disproportionately feature.”