The Black Stacks

Up in the Macgillycuddy Reeks (Black stacks) today. These superb peaks of jagged broken sandstone are great climbing, although the West Kerry summer weather can frequently keep things well hidden.

As we tackled the highest peak "Carrantoohil - 1038m" when we were here last, 23 years ago, we decided to climb one of the neighbouring peaks to get the best view of it. However, it was not to be as the cloud stayed resolutely stuck over the tops. However, despite the lack of visibility, we had a splendid climb up the peak on the right of this loch (Lough Cummeenapeasta), over Cnoc na Peiste (988m) along the 'Skye-like' knife-edged ridge to The Big Gun (939m) and onward along the castellated ridge to the left side peak of Cruach Mhor (932m). Navigation was our chief concern with the lack of visibility. No grid link with GPS or phone, so it was back to the old methods of map and compass, plus 'working' the terrain. 

The evening 'craic' was not far away later on in Kate Kearney's cottage with live music.