Two walkers rescued from Mwellrea after getting into difficulties

Members of Mayo Mountain Rescue were called out to Mwellrea yesterday after two walkers got into difficulty.

A report on the organisation Facebook page outlined: "Two walkers making their way down from the summit had strayed into steep ground.

"Having scrambled down some exposed sections they felt that it would be safer to continue going down rather than trying to climb back up.

"Unfortunately, due to poor visibility, they could not see that only steeper and more treacherous terrain lay below them.

"They continued down passing some very exposed and difficult sections. They knew that going back the way they had come was impossible, but then found that continuing to descend was equally impossible. They were stuck – cragfast.

"At 2.45 p.m. the standby was upgraded to a full team call out.

"Using the GPS on the walkers phone, the team were able to get a good fix on their location and a rescue plan was developed.

"At 3.45 p.m. the team assembled at a track just above Silver Strand on the west side of Mweelrea (there was some traffic delays in Westport).

"At 4.00 p.m. a first response party of five were deployed with a small amount of equipment and the goal of locating the missing walkers and assessing the situation.

"By 5.30 p.m. this group had reached the approximate location and could hear shouts and whistles from the two, but again, due to the poor visibility and very steep nature of the search area it took another two hours to actually reach them.

"This was finally achieved by lowering rescuers past the various treacherous sections the two walkers had descended.

"During this time several more parties were on their way with all of the equipment required for a full technical rescue.

"Due to the risk of dislodging the many rocks and boulders immediately above the walkers, the number of rescuers working in this area was kept to a minimum.

"The two walkers were well equipped with warm clothes, food and drink so when the first rescuer reached them they were in good spirits and ready to begin their transition from walkers to climbers with confidence.

"Helmets and harnesses came down with the next rescuer and then the slow process of getting everyone back to safety began.

"There were five “pitches” or rope lengths in total. A safety line had to be provided for each walker and then for each rescuer to allow the exposed and dangerous sections to be climbed in safety.

"They made their way up, one by one. Each waiting their turn out, nestled out of the “line of fire” just in case any big rocks or boulders were dislodged from above.

"It was a slow methodical process but by 9.30 p.m. everybody was back on safe ground and the long march back to the track above Silver Strand began.

"As they were making their way back down the mountain the sun appeared below the thick blanket of cloud before dropping graceful into the ocean beside Clare Island – a spectacular sunset.

"It was a happy group that arrived back to the road where our Incident Command team were managing operations, but they were happier still to be greet by an enormous pot of stew and potatoes and sandwiches and tea and even a some tasty vegetarian options – all provided by a local family who know only to well that such a happy outcome is not guaranteed.

"The team was stood down at 10.30 p.m, and after a short debrief to capture any lessons that could be learned, the operation was wrapped up and everybody went home."