28.06.2010
15:00 hrs

Lugnaquilla

Monday 28th June four young teenagers from Northern Ireland called for the assistance of the Mountain Rescue service in Wicklow. While participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme they became disoriented near the summit of Lugnaquillia. The group, all girls, were on their third day of a four day camping trip in the mountains when the weather broke. Heavy rain and awful visibility meant that navigation became extremely challenging.

The group sheltered in bivvy bags on the slopes of Leinster’s highest mountain for several hours, until the rescue team (who only had sporadic contact through texting) asked them to erect and stay in their tent in order to regain heat.

Search parties were on the slopes of Lugnaquillia and the surrounding mountains from 4pm until 11.30pm. The lost teens were located at 8.30pm and were all in good spirits and delighted to be found. They were blowing whistles and shouting in response to the rescuers, which sped up their position being pinpointed.

Under the care of the rescuers, the girls walked out to the nearest forestry track and awaiting four-wheel drive vehicle (thanks to SEMRA). This descent from the hills included fording several rivers and streams as water levels had risen over the day.

Many thanks to all who attended and assisted on the day, and helped provide a happy ending to this adventure:

Glenmalure Lodge for providing food for rescuers and rescued
Irish Coast Guard
An Garda Siochana
Irish Air Corps
SARDA Ireland
South East Mountain Rescue Assoc
Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team
Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team
Mourne Mountain Rescue Team
Civil Defence

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