All pulling together

Our mountain-rescue teams volunteer to go out in the worst weather to save hillwalkers who have got into trouble - even if the team members are just tucking into Christmas dinner. They also have to raise money to fund themselves. So why do they do it, asks JOHN G DWYER

IF OUR new celebrity economists are correct this country is destined for hell in an IMF handcart. There is still plenty of useful work to be done, but in these straitened times don't expect such jobs to be easy. One very worthy organisation in the southeast has vacancies coming up soon. To be considered for the job you will need to be fit, to be able to work as part of a team, to have a qualification in first aid and to have an intimate knowledge of upland areas.

Oh, you're intrigued and wondering about the remuneration for such onerous work.

Well, this is the tricky bit: there isn't any. That's a shame. So is it similar to those top GAA team managers who do it for love of the game, never accept a cent in wages but draw expenses? Well, not quite.

It is true you will need to love the challenge, but you will also be expected to pay your own expenses and to spend time fundraising for the organisation.

Don't take it to heart if it is not your cup of tea. The enormous commitment and demanding nature of the task mean it isn't for everyone. But do remember there are hundreds of mountain rescuers around the country giving such commitment and making themselves available 24 hours a day and seven days a week in the cause of safer upland recreation.

In an age of individualism it's fascinating to look at what motivates these people. Why are they prepared to head out on to the mountains, often in darkness and the most egregious weather, when all sensible people have long departed for lowland safety?

Winnie Flynn, a mother of four, has recently completed the demanding one-year course to become a fully badged rescuer with South East Mountain Rescue Association (Semra). Already she has been on several call-outs, rising from her bed to travel more than 100km in response to some. So why does she do it?

"It comes from a need to give something back after all the enjoyment I've had on the mountains," says Flynn. "Not only do I now take part in rescues, but I can also give help if I come across an accident when out hillwalking myself."

Isn't it hard to get up in the night and then travel alone in darkness to link up with other rescuers for a long search? "Believe me, when you have teenage children you are well used to travelling at night," she says. "So if a walker is in trouble on the mountains, darkness isn't a worry: you just go. It can be extremely tough, of course, but what drives everyone on is the huge fulfilment that comes from a successful rescue. This is what keeps you going on night searches."

And do you always respond to the pager? "You always try to respond, but you must take your own safety and that of others into account. So if you are very tired or you've had a drink or two, then you must leave it to the others," says Flynn.

Matt Joy is Semra team leader for Co Tipperary. His role is to ensure that the organisation and its equipment are ready for a call-out in his area. When I caught up with him he was busy organising Semra volunteers to rescue patients cut off by snow who were in need of urgent medical treatment. "We go in where ambulances can't in icy conditions," he says. "Today we were bringing patients for dialysis. It's not strictly part of our brief, but we are a community organisation, so, when you can, you respond as required."

And has the harsh weather increased the number of mountain accidents? "Actually it hasn't in our area, because people just can't travel, although other rescue teams have been extremely busy," says Joy. He adds that if climate change now means harsher winters, mountain rescue will have to respond.

"If there is more ice and snow this will draw out people for sports such as ice-climbing and snowboarding," says Joy. "We will have to invest more in training and upgrading our own ice-rescue techniques, which involves more time and cost. This would be in addition to the more than €30,000 per year from voluntary contributions it already takes to cover the cost of running the team."

And what happens if, just as you sit down for Christmas dinner tomorrow, your pager beeps and it's a hillwalker injured on Galtymore?

"If a fellow walker is in trouble you know how desperate their situation can be, so you don't think about it," he says. "You just gather up your gear and head off immediately."

So if you intend to head on to the hills this festive season give our mountain rescuers a break to enjoy their own festivities by preparing properly.

Mountain Rescue Ireland (mountain rescue.ie) recommends you have an accurate weather forecast, a mobile phone, sufficient food and warm clothing for your trip. Remember that specialised equipment is required for safe hillwalking in icy conditions. Finally, tell someone where you are going and when you are due back. Then the wonders of winter on the Irish hills are truly yours for the taking.

"It can be extremely tough, but what drives everyone on is the huge fulfilment that comes from a successful rescue

Minor miracles; Rescues that saved hillwalkers' lives

On December 29th, 1998, five Dublin teenagers went camping on Carrauntoohil, in Co Kerry. In rapidly deteriorating weather their tent blew down and they spent the night shivering in their survival bags. One of the group knew from a previous visit of a hut high on the mountain. At first light he managed to lead the others there, and this probably saved their lives.

Cold, exhausted and suffering from dehydration and exposure, they huddled together for warmth. Eventually they decided the group could not descend farther but that two members would be sent to seek help. Fortunately, this pair managed to raise the alarm, and local gardaí immediately called in Kerry Mountain Rescue Team.

Realising that speed was essential, as another night on the mountain could prove lethal, the rescuers began a hasty ascent in weather that local sergeant Pat Lehane described as "the worst in my lifetime". At one point conditions became so bad the rescue team thought they would be forced back, but they persisted, knowing lives could be at stake. When they finally reached the youths they were suffering from severe exposure and needed to be warmed up and taken off the mountain.

That night the teenagers slept in their own beds, but there was to be little rest for the rescuers. The following day two women lost their way while descending Shehy mountain in appalling weather and were enveloped by darkness. A preliminary reconnaissance by the mountain-rescue team pinpointed their location, but they could not be reached directly because of severe flooding. The rescuers had to make their way in by Tomies mountain.

They forced their way through undergrowth in weather described by long-serving rescuer Mike Sandover as absolutely atrocious. "We had to carefully mark the route in, otherwise even the rescue team might not have found its way out."

With the final approach guided by radio communication from a team member watching from a vantage point, the women were eventually located and escorted to safety. Thus ended yet another Christmas epic in the work of Kerry Mountain Rescue Team.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, South East Mountain Rescue will be recruiting trainees next month. Details will be posted shortly at semra.ie