Search resumes for mountain climber missing in Mayo since Monday

A large search operation resumed at first light on Wednesday morning for a mountain climber who has been missing in Co Mayo for nearly two days.

The man in his 30s sent a photograph of himself from the summit of Mweelrea Mountain near Westport at around 3.30pm on Monday. The image was his last known contact and his family has been unable to get in touch with him since then, according to Mayo Mountain Rescue’s Paul Feeney.

It is understood the man is originally from the Mayo-Galway region, but has been living in the United Kingdom.

The mountain rescue team, along with the Coast Guard, did an initial search of the mountain on Monday evening, tracking the main descension route, Mr Feeney told the Irish Times. The operation resumed on Tuesday morning and continued until 9pm, with the Rescue 118 helicopter conducting an aerial search in the evening.

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About 50 people are searching the mountain itself for the walker, while it is hoped the weather will allow for another aerial search, Mr Feeney said. Mountain rescuers from around the country are assisting, alongside civil defence volunteers, the coast guard, gardaí and experienced members of the public.

The highest peak in Connacht, Mweelrea covers about 25 sq km, according to Mr Feeney. The boggy terrain is “quite cliffy, with steep gullies”, he said.

“We have extra manpower today and hopefully the weather will play its part,” Mr Feeney added.