Six safely rescued from Kerry mountain

Calahonda52

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2023/0309/1361189-mountain-rescue/&source=gmail&ust=1678478145053000&usg=AOvVaw1Pztf2m07xYZhyAJcN9iEf

Just to recognise the bravery, skills etc of the volunteer rescue group here:

"Instead the volunteer team of 26 climbed to a point near the top of the Bone above the gully where a rope system was set up.

A number of the team then abseiled 200 metres down to the climbers and used haul lines to bring them all safely to the top of the ridge.

Once at the top, they were brought one by one down off the Bone."

And to call out the stupidity of the group undertaking such a walk

"The six were in their 20s/30s and described as well prepared for the outdoors."

This clearly did not include weather risk assessment, instead putting the lives of the volunteer rescuers at risk.

barryribs

Looks like the helicopter was out again this morning

Graces7

The report from the rescue group was actually very, very kind to /about the group. And about the chance it gave them to use/practise their skills. Amazing folk. Met them in person once..

sporina

was listening to a member of kerry mt rescue on newstalk and she said that the group were entitled to do what they did - there was no weather warming - they had all the gear but made a navigational error - which happens., so fair enough..

but yes.. the volunteers are exceptional people..

i'm a hiker and personally I air on the side of caution..

Psychlops

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120339754#Comment_120339754

The Coast Guard Helicopters fly every day for training regardless of if there is a tasking for them or not.

Strumms

Absolutely treacherous conditions looking at the photos… looks like feet of snow in places rather than just mere inches. …

certainly a couple of feet deep up to that lads knee…

unless the forecast was VERY different from the prevailing conditions, it would be very difficult not to question and be critical of the decision to go up the mountain.

NIMAN

To be fair, the standard of weather reporting on Met.ie is shocking.

Some of the temperatures and forecasts I get when I put in my local town are WAY OFF.

Strumms

Does anyone know how to look up historical weather ‘forecast’ for the area ?

Cluedo Monopoly

Those rescue lads are legends. Did some training with a few of them many years ago. They would love the challenge of rescuing that group in exceptional conditions.

I nearly had to call them once when I fell and damaged my ankle in Connemara. Came down very slowly and painfully on my bum in the dark. Always always carry a good head torch no matter what.

Graces7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120355568#Comment_120355568

These issues were raised in interviews and the rescue groups made very valid points as did the climbers. That they needed experience in bad conditions to be effective rescue folk, It surprised me at first but they are right. Disaster can strike for many reasons and if they have only been out in fair weather they are not going to cope when things are unavoidably bad as does happen.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120356190#Comment_120356190

A fairly ridiculous premise you put forward there. By that logic… You could encourage a fella to go speeding up the M50 at 130 kmph , so the Gardai have the experience of trying to end the pursuit and apprehend the driver ..

whisky_galore

It's like we have more and more 'hard' men and women wanting to prove themselves when we have an extreme (by Irish standards) weather event.

Whenever we have a storm at sea there's at least one 'hard' sea-swimming or surfing twat.

JohnnyFortune

Will there be any charge to these idiots, like there is for a fire brigade call out??

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120355613#Comment_120355613

I'd commend you for this, self help/ rescue is always best. Too many people reach for the mobile phone now. Sometimes it's warranted, more often they could get themselves out of the situation under their own steam and learn a few lessons as well.

Seemingly that wasn't the case in the situation above, the otherwise well equipped group made a route finding error and ended up on difficult steep slippery ground and found it safer to stay put.

Cluedo Monopoly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120360879#Comment_120360879

I'd be fairly experienced and I would have been morto to call the MR folks in. That said, I would know my limitations and when I need assistance. I carry a lot of safety gear and I probably could have waited up there until dawn (5am). Driving the car on one leg was another challenge!

dirtyden

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120360193#Comment_120360193

That is an absolutely ridiculous comparison.

The mountain rescue team may not get get many opportunities to test out their skills. If a member of the mountain rescue states they were glad to have a successful opportunity to put their training in practice why is it difficult to take them at their word on that? Why do you need to challenge that statement?

These hikers did the right thing. They got caught out and called for help. The mountain rescue team did an amazing job. Good news story, not sure why all the negativity here.

Igotadose

There was more than one rescue last week. Talking to the mum of one of the rescuers, the group in question (4 lads from Dublin) were stuck in a bad area and were badly unequipped - one had done the climb in trainers, the others in walking boots. Fortunately, the rescuers in question were around and brought them down safely.

I agree, they should pay for a cost of callout. This isn't cheap and ffs what are you doing on a dangerous climb in trainers.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120366204#Comment_120366204

The hikers should never have been in a position to be caught out. It’s ridiculous to suggest otherwise, the weather was not nearly appropriate enough for that activity.

I’m challenging the statement because it was uttered for PR purposes.

sporina

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120366424#Comment_120366424

nah I listened to a member of Kerry Mt Rescue on Newstalk and she said that there was no weather warning.. the group in question wer equipped etc.. just made a navigational error and got stuck in a gully..

you can listen back here - for your information

https://irepod.com/podcast/highlights-from-the-hard-shoulder/-don-t-let-your-enthusiasm-outstrip-your-experienc