Climber dies after falling from mountain ridge

A Japanese man in his late 20s died after falling from a high ridge in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks on Saturday.

The man who is believed to have travelled extensively around Ireland was crossing the Coimin na Peiste Ridge — a steep rocky ridge — on the eastern tip of Carrauntoohil with a companion when he fell.

He was not roped, but experienced climbers often traverse the ridge without a rope, according to members of the Kerry Mountain Rescue Team.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor who was also walking on the Reeks and was nearby. The doctor was taken by the coastguard helicopter to the man as were an advance party of the rescue team who were called out by the Valentia Coastguard.

The fall occurred between Cnoc na Peiste and The Big Gun at about 2pm on Saturday.

Conditions were said to be dry, windy, and clear around the time of the accident.

About 25 members of the team brought the body by stretcher more than 600m down to the Hag’s Glen before being transferred to Kerry General Hospital.