Simple steps to take before starting a climb
SIMPLY learning how to read a map and use a compass could eliminate many call outs to Mountain Rescue teams across the country.
While Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team (SLMRT) will certainly respond if you’re lost, there are, according to responder Chris Taylor from Strandhill, some simple steps people can take which will in large part help to avoid unfortunate incidents.
“How to anticipate the weather, what to do if the weather closed in, any basic navigational experience, there’s a lot of mountain skills courses provided by Mountaineering Ireland, provide you with the basic background that I think is very well worth anyone’s time to go out and get the basics of how to read a map, how to use a compass. For an awful lot of call-outs across the country (they) could be avoided,” he says.
A completely voluntary group, the SLMRT grew out of the Sligo Mountaineering Club (which is still going strong) and the original members were all keen mountain enthusiasts.
Fiona Gallagher is a 25 year veteran of the SLMRT and is currently the group’s training officer:
“All members are trained to a national standard. They pass a rigorous interview, they are expected to do a lot of work outside. We are the only voluntary 999 service, and I think that says a lot about our level of dedication, not just ourselves but all who have gone before us.”
The group receives some public funding, however, increasing insurance costs mean that much of this is spent before new equipment can be purchased. And while special grants, such as the one which enabled the team to acquire a 4 wheel drive vehicle, are very welcome, it’s hard to provide a service with limited public funding.
“We need a little bit more recognition, a little bit more security of funding from the Government. We’re never quite sure from one year to the next what we’ ll get,” says Fiona.
As a result, much of the income required to run the service comes from voluntary contributions, fundraisers and bucket collections.
In the past 12 months, the SLMRT responded to 15 different requests for assistance. In some cases, people who need assistance on the mountain have been poorly prepared for the experience, and in other cases the team has dealt with people who prepared diligently and were just unlucky, slipping or tripping on their descent. Whatever the case, the SLMRT will always respond to a call from the emergency services.
Team leader Ian Mounsey moved to Sligo from his native Scotland over a decade ago and has seen a huge upsurge in the popularity of walking. He says that the time has never been better for people to get out and enjoy the new many new walks here.
“They’re well marked, the pathways are there. There are plenty of maps around, the Sligo Walks website has plenty of information. With the likes of the advertising of the Wild Atlantic Way, and the new walks being introduced, it’s certainly getting a lot busier and it’s very good for the region.”