THIRTEEN PEOPLE died in mountain climbing and related incidents last year, two more than in 2007, according to the Irish Mountain Rescue Association.
Figures released by the organisation yesterday showed that its 12 teams responded to a total of 214 incidents in 2008. This compared to 229 incidents in 2006 and just 176 in 2004. Assistance was given last year to 265 injured people.
The most common injuries were to the lower limbs; about 10 per cent of cases saw serious results, such as head injuries.
The IMRA stressed that while Irish mountains are not high by international standards, climbing them involves serious and challenging terrain which is often underestimated by hikers.
Spokesman Gerry Christie said: “There are still avoidable deaths and close shaves in the mountains that some forethought could avoid.” Mr Christie wished “to stress safety and prudence on the hills; there is no satisfaction to be gained from witnessing a life lost or destroyed”.
He advised hikers to plan and prepare well, to adopt a progressive approach and develop skills incrementally, and to have the ability to navigate accurately. He also advised against relying on mobile phones which may not have coverage on a mountainside.
The IMRA estimated that its volunteers worked over 14,000 hours on search and rescue missions alone. This figure more than doubles when time spent training and fundraising was accounted for. The organisation costs €750,000 to run annually, about 40 per cent of which comes from the State.