Climbers rescued from Connacht’s highest peak

DANGER Mweelrea mountain as seen from Killary Harbour.

Anton McNulty

A MAN and a woman who were rescued off Connacht’s highest peak were walking in the wrong direction after they got lost in thick fog last week.
The pair had been walking along Mweelrea mountain on Friday afternoon when they became disorientated in fog and mist which rolled in from the Atlantic. They believed they were walking in the direction of Killary but in fact were going in the opposite direction towards Doolough.
When they realised their mistake, they phoned the emergency services and both the Coastguard and Mayo Mountain Rescue were notified at approximately 8pm. The rescue helicopter 118 from Sligo was dispatched and located the couple at approximately 10pm and winched them off the mountain.
Neither of the climbers, who were visiting the area, were injured or required medical assistance when they arrived back to Westport.
Mweelrea is Connacht’s highest peak but is also considered a dangerous mountain to climb with a number of dangerous ridges. The rescued couple were considered experienced climbers but a spokesperson for Mayo Mountain Rescue said this showed how dangerous falling fog can be when climbing.
“Mweelrea is a dangerous mountain if you do not know it and you need some experience to go up there. You have to prepare for the weather and be able to navigate using a map if the weather comes down. You must be prepared,” the spokesperson said.