Take precautions before stepping up this winter
BE AWARE, prepare and plan is the advice from KMRT this Christmas as people consider heading to the mountain over the holidays. Every year KMRT is called on to assist climbers and walkers who get into difficulty. More often than not these accidents can be avoided with just a little consideration and prior planning.
The advice is to have sturdy footwear and warm clothing, a map and compass, a torch, food and warm drinks, a fully charged mobile phone. Preparing for a trip on the mountain is not rocket science, but common sense and may even save your life.
Colm Burke said people need to be prepared and have the right equipment when venturing out on the mountain in poor weather.
“At the moment we’re having a lot of stormy weather which brings its own issues. Strong wind, gusts and heavy rain on the mountain can create poor conditions. We’re sure to have snow too at some stage this winter which requires a different set of skills. It’s important to be aware of the hazards that are there and be ready to deal with any problems that may arise,” he said.
KMRT stress their job is not to deter people from enjoying the mountains. Far from it in fact as KMRT is made up of volunteers who enjoy the mountains, but also respect them.
“We’re all keen mountaineers and we love a day out on the hills the same as everyone else. This is just to let people know that they need to be aware of the dangers. By being prepared you mitigate the risks.
“Even the most experienced people can get into difficulty, but there is a lot you can do to lessen the risks, so stay safe,” Colm said.