Wet conditions on the mountains of the southwest are proving hazardous, even for the best equipped, the Kerry Mountain Rescue team warned last night.
On St Stephen’s Day a woman walker in her thirties became the 32nd person to be rescued by the team this year. She was stretchered from Stradbally mountain on the Dingle Peninsula that evening and transferred to Kerry General Hospital, Tralee, by helicopter.
Kerry is home to the Carrauntoohil and Mangerton mountains, which are very popular over the Christmas period.
Spokesman Damien Courtney said: “The best boots won’t stop you from slipping and falling on steep wet ground. When the weather gets cold, that water becomes ice at altitude, increasing the dangers.”