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THE SEARCH HAS resumed this morning for a 38-year-old man who has gone missing on a mountain in Co. Mayo.
The man was reported missing at about 4pm yesterday while he was out walking on Mweelrea mountain, the highest point in Connacht.
The search was resumed this morning at about 7am by the Mayo Mountain rescue team with the coastguard helicopter also deployed to search in the more inaccessible areas.
The team are expected to be backed up by more rescuers from Galway as the day progresses.
The rescue team said that they have a rough idea of the route the man was planning to take.
Overnight weather in the area was said to be fair with today’s weather described as clear and good for searching.
The man is believed to have a mobile phone but it so far hasn’t been contactable with poor reception in the area.
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Hope he is found ok!
As a bit of advice for anyone going on longer hikes, get a GPS app on your smartphone something like ViewRanger, you can set up a buddy system so another person knows exactly where you are.
A better bit of advice, don’t go walking on your own especially this time of year. A small group of well geared experienced walkers is worth more than any app on any phone. I hope this man is found alive and well ASAP.
Viewranger is fine but no substitute for a map and compass, esp after a long hike if your battery goes.
Neither an app nor a map are the slightest use of you’re stuck and there’s no signal on your phone.
@Tom – you should always have a physical map and compass and for 30 euros you can buy a portable mobile charger good for X4 charges. the GPS is more reliable than a mobile signal so the app is useful if you have no mobile reception or have possibly become unconscious, at least the person on the other end can respond with better info.
@Gerry – everyone has their own risk tolerance however if you go alone there its a must to have basic kit and assume you may get caught out for a night.
I absolutely agree, it’s useful to have both, my concern was about over-reliance on phone apps without having the backup of old fashioned navigation. I often use viewranger as a backup to confirm my location before taking a bearing if I’m uncertain of my surroundings in darkness or cloud. Anyway, back on topic, I hope this walker is found safe/well.
The best thing to do is watch bear gryills before u go out Tom no ?
LoL – at least 5 episodes before each walk
@ Tom – on my bucket list is hopping on that conveniently slow freight train he always seems to get at the end ;-)
GPS is useless if in an area with no coverage, Gerrys advice about being in a group is the best.
Steve, many smartphones will still pick up a GPS signal, even when out of mobile network coverage. No use for contacting people, but may help. Identify your location. I wouldn’t say it’s entirely useless.
Hope this chap weathered the night out safe & sound and is found before hypothermia sets in.
Just goes to show how dangerous it can be to head off solo .
As Silverharp posted proper equipment & clothing is the key to survival.
Oh crap .. Poor guy . Hope he’s found alive
Myself and a friend did Mweelrea mt in Aug and we went from short slieves to full wets during the 8hrs and not 1 person did we see. Hope this lad is ok. Will have to setup the buddy beacon on my viewranger.
hope he is found safe and well
Hope he’s found soon, also that he has experience and therefore the correct kit.
have your say