The PROBLEM With IRELAND'S Tallest Mountain

[@StephenJReid]

For those asking about the barefoot boots, I actually made a separate video about them the same day: How These Weird Barefoot Boots Saved My Feet kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGPNk6GepLagd7s

[@thomasmcculey7942]

Very impressive video! Having been raised in the Sonoran desert of Arizona it is a common occurrence of people having to be rescued off the mountains here do to being unprepared for the rugged terrain. The mountains of Ireland have their own challenges with the ever-changing weather.

[@gainmaster1]

Why would barefoot boots be any disadvantage, it's a proven fact that barefoot is more natural, less likely to get angle injuries on the way down especially

[@mjojrjr6231]

@gainmaster1 I've tried barefoot for couple of easy hikes and I think the sole is too soft that it can hurt my foot already. I don't know, maybe I'm just not used to it.

[@gainmaster1]

@@mjojrjr6231 I think it's because your foot needs to be conditioned and isn't used to not having a soft sole. When your foot muscles get stronger it will feel more natural to walk more barefoot

[@mjojrjr6231]

​@gainmaster1 I think I need more walks to get used too. Gradually increasing my distance, is it worth wearing it on daily basis or should I need another pair for that purpose?

[@richiehoyt8487]

Climbing in Ireland: "So, I'm covered in cuts and bruises... Soaked to the skin... Boots are full of water... Nearly eaten alive by a pack of rabid sheepdogs... _Actually_ eaten alive by midges -- but here I finally am, at the top, and the view, aah, the _view!_ I can see for literally... feet.

[@StephenJReid]

Makes it so much more worth it when you do finally get a view. 😅 I was raging afterwards, by the time I was halfway to the car park the summit was clear

[@richiehoyt8487]

@@StephenJReid Sod's law - Would you expect any different..? 😁

[@justaguy8212]

Sorry if I sound like a smart arse but there's no rabid animals in Ireland we actually got rid of it

[@richiehoyt8487]

@@justaguy8212 Fair enough, but I'm actually Irish, so I know that. The bit about 'rabid sheepdogs' was one of them there 'literary flourishes'... I probably should have said 'vicious, slavering sheepdogs'! 😁

[@SickoSchizoArc]

The time I climbed carrauntoohil it was wet all the way up, couldn’t see 10 meters in front of us on the top, after climbing down back to the parking lot the day opened up and no clouds in the sky… quite sad but that’s Irish weather

[@DomDeDom]

Did it in 2017 after doing Mount Kilimanjaro. Thought it would be a quick run up and down. I nearly met my end. Doesn't pay to be cocky. Always respect the mountain.

[@Creepdiets]

My parents warned me repeatedly not to disrespect Irish mountains. We climbed a fair few as kids with them and they made sure we understood that the height of a mountain has little to do with how dangerous it might be. We saw seasoned mountaineers used to the big ‘n’ pointies humbled by Ireland’s short ‘n’ angries.

[@MrRuadhriaherne]

My mothers family are from the bottom of the mountain. My Uncle Tony OShea built and fixed the cross at the summit. May Tony rest in peace.

[@sacredramblings3169]

Is O;Shea's gully named after your uncle?

[@michaelbrennan2537]

I Wouldn’t believe the radio in your car let alone this comment

[@sacredramblings3169]

@@michaelbrennan2537 Ok 🤷‍♂️ hahaha

[@brendos5289]

My mother is from Killorglin not far away. She believes the cross was errected in the Holy Year of 1950. Apparently it blew down several times in the gales that sweep in from the atlantic.

[@Duibhlinneach]

Just a note on the name Corrán Tuathail. Corrán is a sickle but tuthail means “reversed” “wrong” or “sinister” (it actually means Widdershins or against the sun’s direction. So when the mountain is seen in silhouette, the boulders make it look like a sickle but with the cutting teeth on the wrong side, on the back of the sickle. Hence the name (reversed sickle). Lovely video by the way.

[@StephenJReid]

@@Duibhlinneach every day is a school day, thanks! 🙂

[@Jeff-q4u]

That's amazing detail, thanks.

[@richiehoyt8487]

@@Duibhlinneach That is so cool! As in, the name is cool, and the way you not just translated, but painted the picture, is cool.

[@richieixtar5849]

Did it in the late 70's with 4 friends, we were all living in Kerry and decided to try it in wellies on just such a day in early spring. We also took a bottle of brandy for emergencies, which all happened funnily enough on the summit. We made it down in one piece but the memory of such a foolhardy expedition still lives with me after another 40 yrs of 'sensible' mountaineering.

[@kevingeaney7741]

Very real representation of the experience of that mountain. I have climbed it 100 times over 15 yrs. I tripped and fell to the ground once and required 17 stitches to my face. On an other occasion i developed severe cramp in both legs and had to call mountain rescue. I would caution against going down Br O'Shea's gully as was clearly seen from your video, it is dangerous. As a climber leaves the summit you pass two other gullies that look quite like the top of O'shea's ... but they are lethal. Curve gully is first and central gully is next. If you are in fog and not sure .. there is a steep decline TO AND BEYOND curve and central gullies, however at O'Sheas the ground levels for about 10 meters and then rises again towards Binncaoire peak . Also the ridge is only 2 metres wide with severe drops on either side. Going up O'Sheas is not as dangerous as going down, but that was where i fell and gashed my face. As you go up, - O'Sheas is on your far right hand side. Do not attempt to go up the other two unless you are roped up and very experienced. WEAR PROPER GEAR AND COME HOME SAFELY

[@StephenJReid]

@@kevingeaney7741 Thanks! Yeah I briefly looked down into curve or central gully thinking it might have been O’Sheas but looked too steep. Can see how in less visibility it would be very possible to make a fatal mistake there.

[@CharlesPerrett-q3x]

Did it in the 70s same conditions wet and misty.. came back down the same way.. didn't see anything you could call a view but it was enjoyable... in a masochistic way. You do need to be sure footed

[@manlybaker3098]

The rocks are very slate-like and sharp. Mixed in, the round, unstable rocks are also very dangerous.

[@nialldoyle4888]

why would you climb it 7 times every year

[@anest-uk]

@@nialldoyle4888 To test out mountain rescue and the NHS one more time.

[@bertw23]

2nd of January, 15 years ago I climbed in in the early morning because we had our flight home in Dublin in the late afternoon. We were a bit in a hurry and so I slipped. It is the only injury in 20 years mountaineering all over the world. One broken finger … My slightly crooked finger still,reminds me of that wonderfull place.

[@igorparcheta8804]

Brother o'sheas route is the more dangerous route. When myself and my mates planned to climb carrantouhill we met a local that just came down from the mountain. During our chat i mentioned we're going to give brother o'sheas route a go and after a foreboding 10 second pause the old man said in a thick Kerry accent "I wouldn't do that if i were you biy!". So we went up the devil's ladder lol

[@LegioXXVV]

I climbed Carrauntoohil back in 2008, with a friend. Very similar conditions to your climb but I never realised the beauty of the place until I watched your drone footage. Stunning work.

[@DanielSpiegel]

Fascinating landscape. It's amazing how quickly you go from valley to mountain terrain and weather in Ireland and the UK.

[@peterb.8045]

You tell wonderful stories with your videos. Your camera settings create excitement and variety. The music always fits the video perfectly and your comments are helpful, interesting and funny. You can tell that a lot of work goes into your videos. Thank you very much!!! 👍

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Peter! Shot this back in April after some research and finally getting it published

[@ahamillphotography]

Excellent video, Stephen. I've done it once. I'm glad I can say that, but it was considerably more challenging than anything I've done in the Mournes. The sheer length of the hike, the steepness of the tracks (we went up O'Shea's), how much movement there is in the gravel underfoot - and the 6 hour drive home to Co Antrim!! Bearnagh will do me for now, I think!

[@ictfc1897]

I did it two years ago and it was really hard and exhausting. We took it calmly, no hurry, up via the Devil's Ladder and down another way that our guide suggested. Great views but a climb to be highly "respected". We left at 9am and we arrived back at the car park at 6pm due to my wife being completely out of steam....and I understand why it is pretty dangerous. And we have been lucky with the weather, sunny, windy but no rain at all and I cannot imagine doing that trail in the rain or damp weather when all the rocks become extremely slippery.

[@paulscully2708]

Really enjoyed this video. A few years ago during Covid a few friends and myself rented an air bnb near Carrantouhill. We hired a guide to take us up Brother O’Shea’s gully. I am not great with heights at all and struggled a bit but the views were amazing the day we did it. Could see out to Skellig and the Blaskets at the top. Our guide really made the experience for us and obviously had great knowledge of the paths to follow along with some local tales. It’s a tough trek. Even when you reach the lake on shown on your video on the way up you still have quite a while to travel as it’s quite steep from there up to the summit. As I’m not a fan of heights I was glad to have climbed it but never again. Thanks for the video 🙏🏻

[@StephenJReid]

sounds like you did it on a great day. Having a guide helps a lot. Yeah that last 200meter climb from the lake is tough!

[@Crand0m]

Good on you for getting a local guide after realising you don't have the necessary experience!

[@paulscully2708]

@@Crand0m 100% and do you know what it would’ve been a much fuller experience without him. Was great witnessing him standing as straight as a die climbing the steep bits that we were crawling up

[@jameshogan6142]

I have been up to the top of Mangerton but not been over to the reeks. Brother O' Shea sounds more like a religious brother than someone's natural brother but very tragic in either circumstance.

[@robincatkin]

Met the Kerry Team as they extracted a casualty from the Staircase two years ago. Having been in Scottish MR I checked if they needed help to carry the stretcher down. They already had 24 members so did not need help. Interesting to see the Sikorsky reverse towards the botton of the staircase to collect the casualty.

[@joeryan1153]

You refer to Brother O'Shea. I met him many years ago. It was the June Bank Holiday Monday and we were driving to visit Lough Ennel near Westmeath. We gave a Cnristian Brother a lift from Palmerstown to Kinnegad. He was hitchhiking to get some ashwood as he had a hobby of making miniature hurleys from the wood. He had a long conversation with my father who was driving and he subsequently sent him a hurley in the Cork colours of red a white. A number of months later towards the end of the Summer holidays we heard on radio an alert for a missing member of the Christian Brother Order who was last seen in Kerry. Sadly it was Brother O'Shea. He had gone to climb Carrauntoohill and after a few days searching his body was recovered from the slopes of the mountain and as you correctly say the area was named in his honour.

[@bluechip297]

Some years ago a Swiss mountain rescue team on a training mission had to be rescued. They got caught out when what started a beautiful day, the mist came in quicky from the Atlantic and they list their bearings.

[@AliG-yu2bn]

How can mountain rescue not know how to take a bearing. That's ridiculous.

[@jonb4020]

@@AliG-yu2bn I'm sure they did know HOW to do it. But you can't do it in fog!

[@AliG-yu2bn]

@jonb4020 ? Take a baring. That's the whole point that you do it In mist and cloud cover. You need to know where you are which is why it's often done going off summits but it is a skill that mountain rescue should know how to use.

[@jonb4020]

@@AliG-yu2bn I see what you mean. But I wouldn't like to rely on pinpointing my location in a place like that in fog... I think I would try to wait it out a bit!

[@tempejkl]

@@AliG-yu2bnI think they might’ve had some trouble since they were a Swiss team and were in training. So not entirely familiar with the whole arrangement i think

[@bryanodriscoll2123]

My father and I climbed it in 1969 when I was 15. It was windy and cold at the time and we were both very tired by the time we got back down. We had a good feed when we got back to Killarney. In those days we weren't aware of any rescue groups who would have helped if we had got in trouble and of course there were no mobile phones.

[@StephenJReid]

I think Kerry mountain rescue only started that year. Amazing what we take for granted now.

[@swanseamale47]

Compared to Snowden or Pen y fan, which have mostly proper tracks/paths that looks pretty challenging. Thanks for sharing.

[@StephenJReid]

The low cloud and poor visibility definitely made it look worse. I did the Rhyd Ddu path up Snowdon couple of years ago, very quiet and very interesting route.

[@sbkenn1]

My daughter did a college course on Outdoor Adventure Management. One of the exercises was to spend a night on this mountain, in January. One of the team of 6 started to exhibit signs of hypothermia. My daughter was the only one of them who had equipped herself to deal with it. Stove, kettle, tea & coffee, chocolate, soup, energy bars.

[@denisbelikov9114]

Good parenting goes a long way

[@sbkenn1]

@@denisbelikov9114 Unlike me, she always was wise beyond her years. Never rushed into things without thinking first. We still have an amazing relationship, no secrets though there are obviously things that are private. One thing i told her when she was about 3, "I wont make many rules but i will expect them to be obeyed. Most of them will be for your own safety"

[@gregcooper2719]

I have a group of friends that I often walk with, sometimes in less favourable conditions, but we have a 1 out all out philosophy - if one of us wants to turn back we all do. Only ever used it once, a February climb up Pen Y Fan in South Wales. We had horrendous wind blowing us toward a 200ft drop, so turned back (as we turned back the wind got so strong we all ended up on all 4s!) However as we got back into the valley by the car park we walked past a couple in their designer coats and clean white trainers it worries me how unprepared people can be when heading into the hills

[@StephenJReid]

Good philosophy!

[@SatumainenOlento]

Great attitude! It is sure to keep you all more safe also!

[@caimin15221522]

I'm a good hiker, well experienced, all the right gear. This is the only mountain I've felt unsafe on. The first time I hiked it was very snowy, with whiteout at the top. Some nooks hidden by powdery snow but I was well prepared and was confident, and was with a big group made up of some mountain rescue people. Went up the Gully, came down the ladder, all safe and sound. And we had the place to ourselves as it was so cold. The second time, an unexpected storm rolled in while I was 2/3 the way up the ladder. The ladder quickly fills with water, with mini waterfalls filling your boots if you're not careful, and just so much spray. The place was full of people in jeans and tourists with no jackets. I kept on going up the ladder, as I wanted to be able to see the rocks coming down. When I went to the top we didnt even bother with the summit, we just went straight down the (safer imo) gully and got out of there. It's a very dangerous mountain, I think your really need experience on other Irish/British/Northern European hills if you're doing it on anything other than a dry grey day. Conditions can just change so quick and the forecast is no use given the height of it.

[@bluffybluff]

Attempted this climb in December 23 with 90km gusts. Did not make it to the summit but was happy to have not been blown away that day.

[@BrokenBackMountains]

I remember the woman that tried litigation. It threatened part of the Wicklow way and every organisation gave her pelters. Unfortunately a route up Lugnaquilla is now closed due to a walker ignoring requests to not take his dog up into sheep country and berating the farmer. To protect his privacy and himself he has closed the zig zags in Glenmalure, a route he had allowed access to until that eejit went for him. I always tey to be on good terms with local farmers. Access in ROI is dependent on the landowners.

[@StephenJReid]

Yeah I heard about that idiot attacking the farmer. I always try and chat to farmers when I see them, they’ve been stewards of the land for generations, should be some respect for that.

[@AntoJones]

I met that farmer on a different part of Lug. He wasn't very pleasant but I can understand his trepidation.

[@BrokenBackMountains]

​@@AntoJonesI chatted to him once. He was ok.

[@richiehoyt8487]

"The a7seholes, you always have with you..."

[@AntoJones]

@StephenJReid that lawsuit was thrown out. The court dismissed it because the farmers video evidence was doctored.

[@PeterBonsaiPete]

A number of years ago myself and a friend went up Ben Nevis in January , Snowden at Easter , Sca Fell at Whitsuntide and so decided to go up the higest mountain in Ireland . We had an excellent time and a few pints of your local beer (you can wonder which one). When we went up Carrauntoohil we went the other way round passed the hags finger, got lost on the way up in the low cloud but got there and came down the Devils stairs. A good walk perhaps 20 years ago . now in my 70,s I still go fell walking but prefer good weather. I know just what you mean about people going in the mountains without the proper gear.

[@alanslade2319]

Wow what a great place thanks for letting us see this beautiful mountain

[@Cpl.Punishment]

I climbed Carraun at 16, as part of the 4 peaks challenge. I had a few years experience climbing in Ireland, and my dad is ex-army. I had done scouts, climbed the worst route on Lug in 5ft of vision through fog, and nothing had us prepared. Knife point ridges, heavy cloud that rolled in across 5 minutes, scree that fell in waves if you mistepped and winds at the peak that nearly blew us off. We had the sense and knowledge to go up the gully and not down it, and we avoided the Devil's Ladder completely. But my dad with all his years walking and climbing in Ireland didn't notice one thing I had. He expected a 6 hour hike. The bog between the 2 points of the cresent nearly killed him twice before I got it through his stone head that he'd be another body on the mountain if he kept trying his shortcut, and to just follow the route I suggested and not his. Walking in the dark was far preferable to cutting a few hours of walking out of the route.

[@roymunson1]

Went up Caarauntoohil once and a storm came in from the other side. I didnt know wheter to hold on and stay stationary until the wind died down or make my way back down (about 4/5s) up. Wherever this storm came out of ive no idea as the skies were clear enough when i put my foot on her and there was no forecast for anything other than showers. The wind really starting upping with crazy gusts so i took my backpack off and could see where i expected it to land about 100m's down a very steep slope. Had to let it go because i was just so wet and cold and the wind gusts with the packs where causing a problem. This pack just kept going, it even went off a ridge and i can clearly remember a mountain sheep or goat looking at it as it propelled past it at what must have been 100mph+. My hands went totally numb and i was nearly a wreck after getting down. Ive climbed mountains all over the world, but that little beauty Carrauntoohil will chew you up and spit you out if you underestimate her. Errigal is my fav mountain in ireland to climb.

[@garymclaughlin4457]

Errigal is stunning. I've climbed many times, my local mountain. Also Muckish via the Miners path is fabulous. Highly recommended.

[@stuplant6693]

Errigal is the only dry one to climb

[@denism66]

I climbed Errigal a few years ago. About 1/4 of the way up I passed a young lady sitting on a rock, her jeans and white trainers were black after falling into a boghole. When I asked if she was ok, she told me her partner had left her there covered in mud so he could make the summit 😮

[@roymunson1]

Just stunning. Walked from letterkenny to eriigal when I was 10 with my father to climb it over the course of a week. He was a ranger wing solider, so those were our holidays growing up, not beaches sand and sun.

[@roymunson1]

​@@garymclaughlin4457sorry never got back to your second half. Yeah that's also beautiful but a less rewarding climb although I'd recommend it.

[@IanHenning]

I saw those mountains about 30 years ago on my only trip to Cork and Kerry and really wanted to know more about them, so many thanks for the informative video of that beautiful iconic mountain. I now feel that I won't have to take the risk if the opportunity ever presents itself, cheers!

[@seankayll9017]

I went up Carrauntoohil on my own one summer about fifteen years ago. I didn't see a single other person the whole walk, it was marvellous. I remember the tricky bits though. I am glad I was both experienced and well-prepared.

[@StephenJReid]

Amazing when you get a beautiful place to yourself. This was back in April so I only saw about 10 people all day.

[@manlybaker3098]

Coming down frightens me the most!! Going up, you can "inspect" every hand and foothold. 😮😮😮😮

[@AjaySingh-228]

5:10 Wow lovely sound..where there is beauty there is danger..I love to hike Sir

[@nua1234]

I’ve been up it many times. One time when there was very strong gusts, we roped up going across the ridges just encase. When we got to the bottom we looked like snow men, between the frost forming on us and snow sticking to us. The fire in Kate Karneys cottage was very welcome.

[@vaughanleak9542]

Climbed this mountain with my wife daughters and son in laws loved it unbelievable place my wife was very concerned about all the memorial plaques Fantastic place and the ring of Kerry would be a good video to do too. That is a great thing we did too beautiful country

[@celticasmr]

Climbed that summer 2 years ago with some friends. When I was half way up the devils ladder I started panicking but there were so mamy people hiking it, rocks constantly moving with all of their steps, I knew it would be even more dangerous to try turn back so I forced myself forward. We decided to head down after finishing the ladder but ended up losing the path down after awhile and had to hike down without any track at a random side of the mountain, thankfully the sheep kind of guided our way. That wall of death at the beginning was on my mind the whole time 😅😂

[@PotooBurd]

I enjoy this so much! Amazing content, best wishes to you and your future projects! 🌻

[@StephenJReid]

Thank you PotooBurd

[@deandarvill3821]

I'd recommend the Jim Ryan guidebook for Carrauntoohil & MacGillycuddy's Reeks, lots of good routes. People need to remember the Reeks are mountaineering terrain not hiking terrain.

[@StephenJReid]

Just ordered it! Thanks for recommending

[@KPP365]

I love Ireland 🇮🇪 Spent two weeks going around the Dingle while staying in Killarney. Breathtaking scenery 😊

[@Travelonext]

Great to see your video. Came to your beautiful land from Everest region. Trying to hike and explore around. Definitely it’s on my bucket list now. Much love 🤙🤙🤙

[@johncranwell3783]

So good to see that wonderful mountain again…. The one and only time I’ve been up that was early April 2018…. The day after some really heavy rain…. It was still raining when I left the car park but ascended the devil’s ladder in drizzly fog, but as I summitted the clouds parted and it was really beautiful there after with little snow peaks all around me… I only saw one other person all day and that was a guy called Kelly from Belfast, he had ridden the Ring of Kerry the day before in absolute awful weather but was celebrating his 70th by climbing that wonderful mountain in his cycling gear he must’ve been freezing…. Have been a wonderful trip…. Thanks for the film loved it great memories.

[@StephenJReid]

He climbed in cycling gear after sweating in it the day before? That's got to be very uncomfortable. Still respect to him! glad you enjoyed the video.

[@leoh5405]

I climbed Carrauntoohil with two friends last spring and it was an adventure. It was exhausting but also very fun. I especially liked the climb up the devils ladder. We also hiked down Brother O’Shea Gully and my knees were screaming when we reached the lake. But overall I think the terrain wasn’t worse than other hikes I did in Slovakia and in the Alpes. I think the real danger lies in the unpredictable weather on Carrauntoohil. We started in the sun but by the time we reached the top we had also had rain, snow, hail and heavy winds.

[@Rationalskeptic49]

Great video. Glad you went up Carrauntoohil and filmed the experience. Looks fascinating, but one I'd rather not do myself. I'm not good with heights, unfortunately.

[@StephenJReid]

Yeah it’s probably not a good one for someone who doesn’t like heights. That’s what’s great about the Mournes. Loads of options for summit hikes that aren’t near any really steep parts

[@Rationalskeptic49]

@@StephenJReid Yes I agree, I'm fine with being up mountains as long as I'm nowhere near a cliff edge

[@Nyitemare]

Climbed it just this summer for my first time, was an absolute riot of a hike. Loved it. Such a fan of the Devil's ladder, but you're right you need to watch for loose rocks. Lots of happy sunday's hikers & tourists, great experience but you need to have your head screwed on as you said!

[@antdod1]

I live not far from carrantouhill and the amount of people that fall and die is unreal I think they underestimate the conditions and how quick it can change here

[@johnedwardcunningham7128]

Really great video, the drone footage is really good, what drone do you use? Also I liked the stats you added in, I didn't know 9 of ten tallest mountains are located there.

[@chriscoughlan5221]

I didn´t know this existed! all i do know is i escaped with my life in July 1990, while on a cycling holiday, i experienced very high temperatures for Ireland, it was ffs a heatwave. So plan b, while not go hiking, so as i happen to be in Galway, i attempted Ben Lettery, got lost, slipped on a rock while trying to find a short cut, wound up in hospital thanx to a family out walking that day, minutes later a helicopter arrived and managed to get me off the mountain, i sustained a broken arm and foot.

[@RuthGregg-yn9sk]

Hi Stephen from Ballyclare. Love this beautiful video ❤

[@janmoyen]

Great video, Carrauntoohil is not to be underestimated. I’ve done it 3 times and each time have had to help other hikers with advice. Last time I did it a Canadian hiker fell to his death and his poor girlfriend got down to him and had to wait a few hours with his corpse until mountain rescue arrived.

[@Dreyno]

Same happened in Sligo a couple of years ago. American lad fell 60m to his death with his poor girlfriend trapped on a ledge. Coast Guard and local mountain rescue had to save her and retrieve his body. The thing is, most falls on Everest are only small distances. So falling 50m on a 300m mountain hurts as much as falling 50m on Everest or Mont Blanc.

[@StephenJReid]

A 25m fall is pretty much a guaranteed death, I think a lot of people underestimate the mountains here because they are tiny by global standards

[@bobbydogg2860]

I don’t believe it , I did this with no equipment just everyday clothes, same with my girlfriend.

[@Dreyno]

@@bobbydogg2860 You don’t believe what? That someone fell and died?

[@bobbydogg2860]

@@Dreyno I’m not talking about you I’m talking about falling off Carrantoohill

[@stephengardner9128]

As allways brilliant video/photography and just has you returning for the next one. Safety is key, route planning equipment and knowing your own abillities go a long way to make sure a walk is a success.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Stephen and very true! If you’re asking strangers for directions on a mountain you’ve done something wrong

[@nick.caffrey]

I've done this walk twice, and I can see that you are giving an accurate summation of the difficulties. One point to make is, perhaps, that you really have to be used to focussing your attention on where you place your feet. I got up, bruised but unharmed, from a fall on the downward route via the zig-zags. I was tired - I was 72 years old last year when I did it - after the ascent. It was brilliant weather, so I can't even blame that. You need to be wearing hiking boots, carry sticks, water, food, a warm overlayer, and first aid. You can try and do it in a bikini, shorts and trainers as I saw one girl do, but you are taking a stupid risk.

[@StephenJReid]

Definitely need to watch every step on this one.

[@ivanmckeown5296]

Super video Stephen. Outstanding! You are so right about some people a going up unprepared. I took my boys up the Devil''s ladder route in 2000 when they were ten. We were suitably attired for the mountains, but met an older man and his wife on the way up. She was wearing court sandals and carrying her shopping bag, slipping and tripping as she ascended. They told the boys they were doing great and then had a laugh about how dangerous it was! Anyway,we had a glorious view, sorry you missed it, though the clouds drew in after a few minutes and required us to take so much more care on our descent. In fact, two days later Mountain Rescue was called out to recover a man who had fallen to his death on the very decent route you took! What I love to remember however about the tallest point of all the island of Ireland is that it is all overlooked by The Cross. Now there's a thought......😊

[@StephenJReid]

@@ivanmckeown5296 thanks Ivan. It’s a strange thing that something that so many people see as safe or easy (going by some comments) is fatal for others. You definitely pause for a moment when you first spot the cross as you near the top, it’s quite striking. A symbol of death, life & rescue in a dangerous place.

[@niairos]

Seriously good video. I’ve all hiked in the Mournes but Corrán Tuathail also kinda scares me cos of a back injury which has affected my confidence particularly when descending. I don’t think I’ll ever climb this one now but I got some of the thrill of it from this brilliant video. I have also subscribed!

[@StephenJReid]

zigzags route up and down could be a safe option but haven't tried it myself to know. back Injuries are no fun. I had back problems on and off for a few years. Thankfully in my case it was resolved with a bit of training but was horrible at the time. Hope you get your confidence back!

[@Karma1957IGY]

Great to see. Good educational video. Details of the walk up was impressive. Did it three times myself many years ago. It looks harder now than I can remember. Never saw the bottom from the top except the clouds broke and we spotted that high lake below us, and then it disappeared in the clouds. Well done. I hope would be climbers see this first before climbing the mountain !

[@richardkrcmar7821]

This mountain looks like a real adventure. I hope to do it next May along with Sleive Donnard. A very enjoyable video, thanks.

[@StephenJReid]

It’s amazing up there, so different from the Mournes. Just another level.

[@DrKevGuitar]

So much fog reminds me of an experience I had on something quite boring, the hill of Howth, when thick fog came down and I couldn’t see the horizon. With no other reference my brain wanted to assume that the ground was level, and tried to orient my body and walking gait accordingly. That made balance much harder and also meant that as I walked, I kept moving further and further down the hill without realizing it getting dangerously close to the cliff edge. Doing anything when you can’t see the horizon adds an extra element of danger.

[@raymart86]

Thx for the adventure! Would love to get back to Killarney National Park for some hiking. This was a great adventure. Thx for sharing!

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Ray. Where have you been in Killarney? If it wasn’t a 6 hour drive I’d be down more often.

[@raymart86]

@@StephenJReid my wife and I visited Ireland last year and drove all over! We ate at the Garden restaurant in the park and toured the Muckross House there. We drove through Killarney and stopped at the Torc water fall and the Ladies view. I would definitely go back and try some hiking there as it was so beautiful! Other highlights were the Dingle peninsula, Cong (Hawk Walk, Ashford Castle)! We enjoyed Kilkenny and Kinsale, really the south and west coasts. We’d like to get to N. Ireland and Scotland at some point, but we live in the US, so it’s not just a hop skip and jump ☺️

[@apkelly01]

Thanks for the video, and I'm so sad about the lamb. But fair play to you checking to see if it needed help, a lot wouldn't do that. Above where that lamb was is the Beenkerragh Ridge. Most of the human deaths on Carrauntoohil are falls from this ridge. The next area for worst deaths is the Heavenly Gates. Not only is it narrow, there's a part on the trail where you come to a bit of a fork and you must go left, but there's a sheep trail that goes right. A lot follow the sheep trail, climb down and get crag fast. When they try to climb back up, they fall. I've climbed Carrauntoohil a few times - up by O'Shea's Gully and down by the Zig Zags (my favourite route). And up and down by the Caher route (great beginners route). On one of my assents up the Caher route, and just before the Caher summit, a person in my group took a panic attack (failed to mention they were scared of heights!!) - but fair play to them, they made it to the summit. It meant I made the decision to bring the group down via the Zig Zags - not recommended to go up Caher and down the Zig Zags BTW as we got stranded in Cronin's yard and our cars were parked in the Hydro car park, but it all worked out well. I haven't climbed since 2018, so I look forward to getting back up there. Edited to say you hit it spot on on the climb down the wall part. That spot is exactly where you need to climb as it's just like a ladder :)

[@StephenJReid]

Hey thanks for this! Sounds like there's a lot of "Go this way and you're fine, but this way and you might die" up there. Is that on the way up or the way down the Heavenly Gates?

[@apkelly01]

@StephenJReid it's on the way down the Heavenly Gates. If you look at pictures, the route seems to come to a large rock formation. You follow the track down to the left of this. Unfortunately, people who are not familiar sometimes take the track to the right. Also, a little tip with this route, as it's narrow, it's best to hit this very early in the morning. Otherwise, it gets busy and you're meeting people, and passing can be a bit dodgy at times. I sound like the harbinger of doom and gloom. I'm just extremely aware of the dangers of this beautiful mountain and would rather be safe than sorry 😊

[@benfoley2944]

Randomly got suggested this video, thought you looked familiar. Two of those people on devils ladder are me and my friend😂 if you come back would definitely recommend going down heavenly gates, the views from there are unreal. There’s also an emergency shelter on that route that is good to know about.

[@StephenJReid]

haha, excellent. Small world. Yeah sounds like I need to do the heavenly gates next time.

[@russell-di8js]

Discovered your channel earlier today, 1st through watching 2 North Wales 1s close to my home & now this Kerry 1 & I have to say I'm loving the 3D graphic maps showing your walks which are filmed beautifully so thanks Stephen; Your doing a belting job.

[@iainpaton1865]

Beautiful landscape friend 😊please keep the great videos coming and stay safe.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Iain 🙂

[@dylanrussell116]

Climbed this last year- devils ladder and descended devils ladder also. We never attempted this hike and we started at 4am and did it in the dark. We were semi prepared but were very conscious of not fully knowing if we were going in the right route. Hearing the stream flow and not being able to see the easiest route made it very difficult. Definitely would not recommend before the sun rises

[@gerharold264]

Great video sir with lots of fantastic advice. I've done that mountain enough times to know that if you don't show it the respect it deserves then Carrauntoohil will put maners on you. Well done.

[@TheCJD89]

Great video. I did Carrauntoohil for the first time last year with a group and it was an exhilarating experience. Was lucky to get a really clear sunny day so the views were incredible. But it was a very tough hike

[@olanneeson3990]

Nice presentation . Thank you .The woman who sued . What a horror .

[@SaporificSlime]

Climbed this mountain in my early sixties Amazing experience Your video is fantastic Brought back memories 😊😊

[@Jenny-tl7gk]

I love hiking wbut even that made me a bit nervous seeing those rocks and you hiking down (although I am not sure if the wide angle camera made it look even more scary 😂) I went hiking up scafell pike in the lakes in England with a group in simular weather. It was very tough and the group didn't wait for everyone to catch up and rest. Long story short I got separated and lost from the group and had to make my way down by myself without any direction. I did feel for those boys if they have lost their mates and they don't know where they are going, they could be in a serious situation if they don't drive and they don't have signal especially in ireland if there is no towns near by.

[@mandoesmountains]

Great video Stephen. Makes me want to get over to Ireland from North Wales and explore some of what it has to offer!

[@craig-outdooradventure4632]

Brilliant video as always Stephen. Such a beautiful landscape. Really valuable focus too - can only be a positive step in raising awareness on safety in the area. Keep up the great work 😊👍🏼

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Craig. Wasn’t my original plan for this video until I began researching it more.

[@TheMadmacs]

great drone shots, really enhanced and informed what this mountain is like.

[@ancientbuilds3764]

I ran down the devil's ladder once. Full tilt. Literally jumping 20 feet. With a buddy of mine. I don't know what speed we were going, but it was darned fast. I was way younger back then. There was some kind of spatial awareness going on. Mid air. You are looking at the next target, and deciding how much brakes to put on. You can't stop because of momentum, so you have to judge it. I and my friend knew how to run mountains. To any others this would be lethal. Very quickly.

[@marc21091]

Very good film. Carrauntoohil in aerial pictures shot on sunny days looks quite easy to climb but the reality as you show is very different. This shows just how difficult it is and how accidents can happen. Many thanks.

[@TheImprobableIronman]

Great video mate. I can honestly see how the rugged beauty of this place draws people in.

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks!

[@viniciusnovaes6295]

That was a masterpiece! Ireland is gorgeous. Lived in Dublin for over 2 years but never hiked that mountain. Maybe one day I'll get round to doing it.

[@johnrogan7473]

Climbed it in 1980 with a group of friends. They say on a clear day you can see every county in Ireland. It was a clear day but I didn't see every county at all.

[@radharcanna]

Lucky to have climbed it twice with two friends, one of whom is an experienced climber. Mind you, the physical effort nearly killed two of us as we were totally unfit. Some very scary ridges and climbs. I don’t even like heights! The cloud was down both times, so no views. Still, it was a wonderful experience, one I’ll always treasure. And I had the best sleep ever on those two nights. Fabulous filming, editing and music on this video. It must be a bit of a pain setting up the shot and then having to go back down to collect the camera. Subscribed.

[@K2shadowfax]

Watching this, I shouted 'Don't drink the water!' A few moments later: '...oh, look...there's a dead lamb in the water...' Lovely vid re views and drone footage. Very challenging terrain. That bonus 'climb down' bit was a thing...I wonder how many fell right there? Thanks for sharing. Enjoy a sub!

[@StephenJReid]

haha that's why I always carry a small filter these days. Risk is small but not worth it for me, I'm self employed! yeah that climb down surprised me, wasn't expecting it to be vertical!

[@StephenJReid]

and thanks for the sub!

[@AliG-yu2bn]

Can you not drink the water in Ireland above the agriculture?

[@StephenJReid]

@@AliG-yu2bn if there’s no sheep in the area it’s fine, but they are often everywhere

[@AliG-yu2bn]

@StephenJReid yeh makes sense. In Scotland usually if you get high enough then you get above them so the water if running is safe but as you say they do often get everywhere.

[@TonyHynes-i1u]

great video and great advice , would love to do it but the old arthritis says no , very realistic about the dangers , will probably go with Croagh Patrick as they're is a great new pathway for us old fogies

[@marleenvos4126]

Went to the top with 3 friends many years ago; when we returned to where we would descend the devil's staircase, a cold-front had started to come over the mountain. A local called mountain rescue just to notify about all the people on the mountain. I remember there was a group of scandinavian ladies in short skirts and light raincoats. They were suffering in the freezing rain and howling wind. We had warm clothes, food and water, maps and compasses, rescue blankets and were prepared. Luckily we managed to get down the mountain safely; more or less the same route you took from what it looked like, but not via the lake; we descended down some huge boulderfield. Arriving back at the car safely was a huge relief. A mountain is no joke, even those not very high.

[@StephenJReid]

sounds like a scary day. It's amazing just how fast a mountain can go from feeling safe to feeling very dangerous, very quickly

[@MD-uu5nt]

You’re saying that you were on a mountain in a near emergency situation with a load of Scandinavian in short skirts and you helped rescue them? So is there more to this story?! How were you rewarded? 😂

[@marleenvos4126]

@@MD-uu5nt We didn't rescue anyone, I don't even know how they managed to get down the mountain. All I know is that mountain rescue was contacted. We were well prepared, and managed our own safe descent.

[@MD-uu5nt]

@@marleenvos4126so they didn’t reward you with a night of passion… 😢 I’m sorry to hear that.

[@HelixDave]

Awesome video! Shame about the view from the top that day, but sometimes the clouds create a more atmospheric setting 👌🏻 What backpack are you using here? I’m looking for a new one, and that one looks really good!

[@seanmcgoldrick1702]

I broke my ankle on the way down the devils ladder in 2018. Took 5 hours hiking back down. Not to be underestimated

[@nigelconnellbass8888]

Great video. Thanks for sharing it’s been a while but have been up and down a good few times. My favourite circuit is to go up via Br. o’Shea’s gully and descend via the Heavenly gates. The start to the Heavenly gates route is about half way down from the summit towards the Devils ladder then off to the left, not the easiest to find, I’d suggest going with someone who knows that route if you want to try it. It has a couple of tricky little passages where you need to turn around and reverse scramble, but is also the calmest way down on a windy day. If you’re coming back and fancy it, I’m well up to doing it again soon 😊

[@desmondoreilly1210]

Have climbed Carrauntoohil many times over the years, probably around 50. It deserves to be respected but often isn't. The weather can change in the blink of an eye reducing visibility to almost zero. Underfoot it's often unstable, slippery or both. And, most importantly, it's not way marked with any form of signage - you're on your own. Each of the routes come with their own unique challenges. Finding the beginning of the Heavenly Gates and Zig Zags can be trickier still. Be prepared mentally, physically and equipment wise - you should have fun if you show the mountain respect.

[@boyzinthewood1]

What an absolutely fantastic film. Well shot, narrated, and beautifully edited. I tip my hat to you 👍

[@nigelmcardle4112]

Loved the video Stephen, majestic footage!

[@StephenJReid]

Thanks Nigel 🙂

[@h.bsfaithfulservant4136]

Really well done ✌️. I was genuinely scared watching this 😳👍

[@paulsmakingmovies1451]

Fair play for highligting the dangers people put themselves through on this mountain. It isnt the easiest mountain to navigate and with mist and fog makes it very risky. The fact you met some tourists with no map is scary and dangerous. I ran up a while back when it was snow capped. On thay day 4 different people had to be rescued

[@StephenJReid]

I couldn’t believe I was being asked for directions. Their group also had split up and they had no idea where everyone was which is ridiculous

[@Kevc00]

I think so often people underestimate it because, as said in the video, by international standards it's quite small. So people, especially touritsts, underestimate how challenging it is and the weather conditions which means it's pretty much always slippery and you really can't predict the weather conditions.

[@tuttmasterc]

I did it three years ago as a challenge to myself after being diagnosed with spinal and bone condition which affects my joints and mobility. After the devils ladder my whole body was shaking from adrenaline from the pain but also the little triumph....and then I saw the peak to the right of me lol but I got through it, such breathtaking views

[@YuliaHadassahK]

There's a much better route up Carrauntoohil and that's via Caher. It's a much longer route, but there's almost no exposure, just a lot of plodding up an incline.

[@jojokeavy2835]

This is my only no 1 on my "bucket list." My father's home is not too far from Carrantwohill Mountain.. we can see it from/12 0 Clock high.

[@iwasapirateonce1639]

Some of the best scramble routes in that area, 2 fantastic knife ridge walks just within a couple KM of the summit. But the weather really is treacherous, I think those mountains are in the mist the majority of the days in any given year and the mist makes the rocks dangerous. Erosion is a big problem on the ladder, I think the a lot of the bad injuries are caused by falling rocks. The safest routes up are defo the zig-zags and the hydro track. Would be nice to see it become a national park in the future.

[@StephenJReid]

Yeah I want to go back and do some of the ridges but will need the right weather window. It’s so unpredictable though, forecast changes on an hourly basis can never really trust it.

[@iwasapirateonce1639]

@@StephenJReid I had a perfect blue sky day to the the Big Gun ridge, and even then there was patchy mist on the mountains but luckily it cleared, as I would not have attempted the ridge in the mist. West coast weather is just predictably terrible. For some reason the mountains seem to be clear up from the mist very late in the morning, and then usually mist-up again in the afternoon.

[@SurvivalSkills93]

I was very impressed by the pictures of the mountain covered with clouds 🎉

[@Crand0m]

Beautiful videography!

[@Robbie-g9o]

These videos are so good man! Time flew by like crazy. Keep up the good hikes. R. I. P the lamb 😢😂

[@CarlMullan]

The fact that you managed to climb Carrauntoohil AND shoot something to this level is absolutely insane! Unbelievable video!

[@visualjewels]

Great effort, enjoy your wonderful adventure, good luck and stay safe my dear friend ❤❤❤👍.

[@totalrepawns]

go up the hydro path route from the other side very few people go that way and you get to climb caher mountain and traverse onto Carrauntoohil

[@StephenJReid]

I’ll check that out. No doubt I’ll be back

[@garymartin557]

happens everywhere. i was on cadair idris in southern snowdonia. i came across a couple who had taken a map with them, a road map!

[@MarvinofMars]

Good points made! 100% Walking poles up and down, whistles on everyone in the group. Heaps of staging/ stops to match the weakest walker/ rambler. plus a shelter unit big enough for the whole group. Snacks drinks and smiles : ) I completed my leader course in 1997 and have packed the same system for every hike since, either the local 10min away peak or the Alps. 20L day bag, weighs 4-5 KG loaded Every item in the pack has been used 2-3 times. It is what amazing people think is safe to go on mountain on! Shorts and tee shirts, sandals! The are some great guides who work and live the Tralee area, excellent guides too.

[@StephenJReid]

I've thought a few times about doing a ML course. Useful training

[@nick.caffrey]

@@StephenJReid Do it.

[@MarvinofMars]

@@StephenJReid Hard to find venues on NI,but these programs are getting more popular. I simply did to avoid being sued, by anyone! Family , friends or strangers being the good Samaritan. ( No good Samarition law acts are binding in NI or Scotland). (Sadly that's modern society). I do go looking for ones in need. But will no pass someone in trouble. The fact half the routes are named after dead climbers had a dark comedic side too it. Kerry'sversion of which 2 words. "Stuck a ledge between Barbra way, and Dave's ladder".

[@Lisanisky]

​@@StephenJReidTollymore outdoor centre in the place to go up north