Reek Sunday

It was a misty wet start to an early Sunday morning on the reek.  The annual pilgrimage saw 7 team members and 3 friends from Calder Valley MRT gather at rescue base for the 4a.m. start. As hill party" Wicklow 1.6" we were joined by colleagues from Kerry MRT and The Mourne MRT. A quick briefing and a last check on equipment and we headed up the mountain to take up our position.

Conditions this year meant that the Air corps helicopter (AW 139) could not provide support so any casualties would have to be stretcher carried all the way off the mountain.  The poor weather combined with the slippery scree slopes meant it was a very busy day for the MR. Dublin Wicklow MR Team dealt with a variety of minor injuries as well as a casualty with a lower leg injury who required a full stretcher carry to the waiting ambulance.

Approximately 20,000 pilgrims climbed the reek this year and in total the MR teams dealt with 19 casualties. Other agencies providing assistance on the day were The Order of Malta and The Civil Defence.

There are pictures in the gallery and on facebook