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Safety Considerations
when you are heading for the Hills
Every year there are casualties on Ireland’s mountains. Often it is those who decide on a
whim to go out hiking – often without adequate essentials such as extra clothing, food and
water – who get into trouble. Please be aware of the following cautions and ensure that you are
adequately prepared. On a sunny day, there might be a radically different weather system on the
mountain top. One story tells of two teenage boys who were discovered cold and lost on the top
of a mountain. It was a summers day, warm and sunny, on the ground. Climbing above 600 meters
however the weather turned cold, damp and misty. The boys wearing only a t-shirt and shorts,
had set off without food, water or extra clothing – leaving their parents to wait for them on the
other side of the mountain. Mountain rescue teams have responded to many incidents in Irelands
hills and mountains that could have easily been avoided. Please ensure that you plan your route
carefully and consider ability of the group, steep ground, fitness levels, weather conditions,
equipment and time of year. It is worth investing in an emergency shelter, bring emergency
provisions of high energy snacks, a whistle and a fully charged mobile phone. Especially when you
are planning to travel off the beaten track. Always inform someone, perhaps someone working at
your hotel or guesthouse, of your plans to go out hill walking. State that if you have not returned
by an agreed time that they may call for help. Careful planning can save lives. Ordinance Survey
maps of Ireland are useful guides to the terrain, a GPS system or compass are also trusty tools
to have – especially when mist comes down and when visibility is poor.
Leave no Trace
1. Plan ahead and Prepare,
2. Be Considerate of Others,
3. Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife
4.Travel and Camp on Durable Ground,
5. Leave What You Find,
6. Dispose of Waste Properly
7. Minimise the Effects of Fire
www.leavenotraceireland.org
4
when you are heading for the Hills
Every year there are casualties on Ireland’s mountains. Often it is those who decide on a
whim to go out hiking – often without adequate essentials such as extra clothing, food and
water – who get into trouble. Please be aware of the following cautions and ensure that you are
adequately prepared. On a sunny day, there might be a radically different weather system on the
mountain top. One story tells of two teenage boys who were discovered cold and lost on the top
of a mountain. It was a summers day, warm and sunny, on the ground. Climbing above 600 meters
however the weather turned cold, damp and misty. The boys wearing only a t-shirt and shorts,
had set off without food, water or extra clothing – leaving their parents to wait for them on the
other side of the mountain. Mountain rescue teams have responded to many incidents in Irelands
hills and mountains that could have easily been avoided. Please ensure that you plan your route
carefully and consider ability of the group, steep ground, fitness levels, weather conditions,
equipment and time of year. It is worth investing in an emergency shelter, bring emergency
provisions of high energy snacks, a whistle and a fully charged mobile phone. Especially when you
are planning to travel off the beaten track. Always inform someone, perhaps someone working at
your hotel or guesthouse, of your plans to go out hill walking. State that if you have not returned
by an agreed time that they may call for help. Careful planning can save lives. Ordinance Survey
maps of Ireland are useful guides to the terrain, a GPS system or compass are also trusty tools
to have – especially when mist comes down and when visibility is poor.
Leave no Trace
1. Plan ahead and Prepare,
2. Be Considerate of Others,
3. Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife
4.Travel and Camp on Durable Ground,
5. Leave What You Find,
6. Dispose of Waste Properly
7. Minimise the Effects of Fire
www.leavenotraceireland.org
4
