A coroner has pleaded with people to leave notes in their cars if going hillwalking or mountain climbing to let others know when they plan to return.
It follows the death of a mountain climber in Co Donegal in August last year.
Experienced climber Nigel Robinson, aged 62, died when he fell from a cliff-face onto a rock below at Bingorm, Doochary in the shadow of Slieve Sneacht.
Mr Robinson, known affectionately as Yorkie, was missing for three days before his body was found by members of a search party.
An inquest into his death at Letterkenny Courthouse heard he was a vastly experienced climber but did not use ropes and was not wearing a helmet when he was found.
Local man Jim McDevitt had first encountered Yorkie as he set off from his car at Bingorm, Doochary around 11am on August 10th.
He said he noticed it was a stormy day but Mr Robinson did not have a lot of clothing on but did have a backpack.
The following the day his car was still there and he alerted neighbours who in turn contacted the emergency services.
Coroner for Donegal, Dr Denis McCauley
A widespread search involving the Donegal Mountain Rescue Team, the Sligo/Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team, Gardai and locals then began a massive search of the area.
Donegal Mountain Rescue team leader Gareth Wilson then contacted well-known mountaineer Iain Miller who knew the missing man personally.
He told Gardai how Mr Robinson, of Portland Road, Nottingham, had been emailing him about a particular cliff he had recently discovered in the area and was planning to climb.
This area was searched and local farmer Paul Gibbons, who was taking part in his first search, finally discovered Yorkie’s body on Sunday evening, August 13th.
Garda Niall Maguire of Falacarragh Garda station accompanied the body to Letterkenny University Hospital for a post-mortem.
Pathologist Dr Gerry O’Rourke told the court that the dead man had suffered a number of injuries including multiple abrasions, a fractured breastbone and ankle and also a fractured spine.
He said that death was due to multiple injuries consistent with a fall.
Coroner for Donegal, Dr Denis McCauley, paid tribute to the various rescue and emergency services who helped search for Mr Robinson.
He also appealed to hillwalkers and climbers to leave ‘evidence’ as to when they would be back in the form of a note or something in their car.
“I would ask them to leave some evidence as to where they are to allow Gardai to have an idea so as to allay any fears,” he said.
A verdict of death due to misadventure was recorded.
Dr McCauley also gave his condolences to Mr Robinson’s wife Pat and his family on their loss.
“He as a competent man who was looking forward to climbing this ridge.
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