Search resumes for missing mountain walker
A search has resumed for an experienced hillwalker who went missing in Co Mayo.
The alarm was raised yesterday when the man failed to return from an overnight climb at Mweelrea Mountain.
The Coast Guard and Mayo Mountain Rescue searched the mountain for several hours last night, with a team from Galway due to join the search today.
Colm Byrne, from Mayo Mountain Rescue, said the man was a very experienced hillwalker.
“It is a difficult, strenuous, long walk,” he said.
“But it shouldn’t present any difficulties unless you get lost or have a mishap along the way.”
Mr Byrne said weather conditions will always present a challenge.
“Being familiar with the mountain isn’t a huge benefit if the mist closes in and weather gets atrocious,” he told RTÉ.
“Your sense of direction can be a big enemy to you on a mountain like Mweelrea.”
Mweelrea is the highest mountain in Mayo.
The man left for the mountain on Tuesday evening and was due to camp overnight and return yesterday.
