In a week when Infoca tackled a mountain fire behind Dúrcal with aerial assets, the Guardia Civil have had need for their helicopter to carry out rescue missions.

On Thursday they were called out to rescue a climber in the Río Valdecasillas area of Güéjar Sierra. A 28-year-old man had injured his leg and couldn’t walk so the helicopter was despatched with members of the mountain-rescue service onboard to locate, pick him up and fly him to hospital.

Previously, on the 15th, the big public holiday across Spain, they were called out twice. On the first occasion a women hiker had suffered an injury in the Prado Negro waterfalls in Huétor Santillán; she was winched out and flown to the nearest hospital.

Shortly before a barranquista (somebody who descends waterfalls) had dislocated his shoulder whilst abseiling down the Junta de Los Ríos in Otívar, which has been a location often entered in call-out logbooks.

The mountain rescue service, Sereim, advises hikers to take the same precautions as they would if they had a child with them: consult a weather forecast; if it is adverse, don’t go. Use adequate footwear and clothing and make sure you have at least some food with you and above all, water. Make sure you take a fully charged mobile phone with you; if you’re in a group, the more phones the better.

(News/Noticias: Granada, Andalucia)