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MacGillycuddy's Reeks Area Printable format Maximum height for area: 1039 metres Summits in area: 28 OS Map(s): 78 for all tops Set Area Map On     The Big Gun Mountain Kerry County An Gunna Mór A name in Irish (Language) (Ir. An Gunna Mór [TH], 'the big gun') Height: 939 metres OS 1/50k Mapsheet: 78 for top Grid Ref: V84068 84503 Latitude: 52.000970 Longitude: -9.688807 ITM: 484043 584562 Prominence: 74m   Isolation: 0.3km This peak is at the S end of the arete connecting it to Cruach Mhór. The Big Gun is the 10th highest summit in Ireland. Our data has reached 75% of the goal for this summit. (Details)     COMMENTS for The Big Gun Page 1 2 Next page >> Expand pics.   by jackill  15 Sep 2008 The Big Gun taken from the col under Cruach Mhor with Cnoc na Peiste in the background on the right. If you've got the nerve go over the top or as close to it as you can manage (which will be scrambling rather than hill-walking)-really the only other option is to drop down about 150 meters on the north side and try to find the track across to the col before Cnoc na Peiste, you will have to go down below the blocks of rock sweeping down the sides.We could see no other obvious route across. The Big Gun is absolutely the most challenging climb I have done in Ireland - we crossed in calm weather during a dry August afternoon - if you were to attempt it in more difficult weather/wind I think harnesses/ropes etc. would be needed. When ever you attempt it a good head for heights and good route finding skills will be needed. - (Comment Rating 4.50) Your Score: Very useful <<  >>Average Picture: Looking along the ridge from Knocknapeasta towards the Big Gun, with Cruach Mor on the left Expand pics. by dewhelan  30 Aug 2009 I started at 6.30am from the parking lot on the west side of the Gaddagh River (i.e. the parking area due west of Cronin's yard, typically used for the Shea's Gulley route to climb Carrauntoohil). From there, I followed the path to Lough Callee, and from there headed in a south easterly direction, ascending the Bone to the summit of Maolan Bui. This part was the most physically demanding part of the trip, as it's a pretty continuous climb, and I had not picked up the trail, so it was a mix of walking on a grassy slope and scrambling on rocks. The ridge from Maolan Bui to Knocknapeasta is a pretty straightforward walk, but things get a lot more interesting from there. From Knocknapeasta to the Big gun, the ridge is nothing short of spectacular. The views are fantastic, and the exposure on both sides will certainly test your head for heights. The only exposure that I have experienced in Ireland that comes close is on a short section of Sliabh League in Donegal. I stayed on the skyline as much as possible, which meant a few interesting downclimbs to deal with. The ascent up the southern slope to the top of the Big Gun is fairly straightforward, and from there had a short steep descent to the ridge heading over towards Cruach Mor. This ridge does not have as much exposure as the section between Knocknapeasta and Big Gun, as it is a broader ridge, with a flatter top, however if you stick to the skyline, it is more interesting (and challenging) due to 3-4 sections where you have to downclimb approx 10 ft drops - does not sound like much, but a fall could mean you tumble a long way before stopping! After the summit of Cruach Mor, there is a long slog back to the starting point. Descending the ridge in a northeasterly direction from Cruach Mor, a fence marks the spot where you turn north, and begin the descent back towards home. When you reach the point where this slope starts to flatten out, turn north west for a squishy walk (or run!) through bog to the point where the Cronin's yard trail crosses the Gaddagh river. From there, cross the river, and pick up the trail that brings you back to the parking lot. This was a great loop to do on an early weekday morning. I was the only person up there, and got back to my car by 10.15am, just in time to make breakfast (barely!) back at the B&B in Beaufort. See the following link for a route map (under the "map type" drop-down, best to view as "satellite map"): http://www.mapmyrun.com/hike/ireland/killarney/559125146044060028 (Point A) Point A: V60440 60028 (turn area map On) (Comment Rating 4.00) Your Score: Very useful <<  >>Average Picture: A RIDGE TOO FAR? Expand pics.   by Bleck Cra  26 Sep 2009 A light mist lifted from the Big Gun, and a dull silence descended on the six souls pitched on Cnoc na Peiste. LEET of the North’s Wee Binnians Club. Desperate McConville, the O’Driscoll Mhor, Descendan Kirk and mviewers, Maclimber, Seannickell and Bleck Cra. The binos passed left to right and the reality of the task took grisly shape. A Saturday looping Coomloughra fuelled by Friday Guinness had preceeded a Sunday on the Gun fuelled by Saturday Guinness. Few were Reeks virgins but none was prepared for the fabulous task that is/are the Big Gun ridge/s. It is Cra’s far from humble opinion that this is as good as it gets. It has often been recorded how to tackle these 10 minutes of terror. Suffice to say that most of us should opt for the macramé lessons instead. If you shadow the ridgeline from the tracks below, some security may be derived; along the top, which we of course obliged ourselves to “do”, you may face your own demise in every step. My own miserable life was extended by Descendan Kirk at one point (although he refused to become my blood brother). Sean of the Seven Hours was not a little discomfited, Maclimber was silent – for those who know him, the significance of this is inescapable, Desperate was so happy to be off the thing, he hugged everyone, The Mhor was raging and wished he still had his night-stick to flatten someone. Descendan of course was in his airy element and was despondent leaving it. For both the Cra and Maclimber it has taken nearly a third of a century to get here – to this place – to this spot. So shall we return to it? Maybe but probably not and T.S. Eliot’s Journey of the Magi slips silken through my mind. (Comment Rating 4.00) Your Score: Very useful <<  >>Average Picture: One going on the path, one going on the ridge top Expand pics. by Conor74  14 Apr 2009 Did this from West to East - apparently it's not the usual way. Went from the Black Valley up to Cnoc na Peiste via Lough Googh, then down to the Big Gun and on to An Cruach Mhor before descending back down to the Black Valley again. Great walk, would highly recommend it - took just over 5 hours. And the Big Gun is one heck of a thrill, tried to stay on the ridge as much as possible, though we were forced to go around rather than over some rocky outcrops in one or two parts. And there were a couple of areas where we had to jump from one rocky ledge to another. But couldn't recommend it highly enough. (Comment Rating 3.67) Your Score: Very useful <<  >>Average Picture: crux between big gun and cruach mhor Expand pics.   by KPCFC  6 Dec 2005 i traversed the ridge 2/10/05 starting near brandons cottage at 5:30 and finishing at the climbers inn in glencar about 8:30, a big day, over 15 summits, now i have a torn cartilage to show for it (coming down caher). the toughest section is between cruach mhor and big gun, it was wet from the mist/cloud and i was horrifiied to discover my newish boots slipped easy, so i came off the ridge and managed to traverse on the loch side about 50 feet from the top,then climbed back to the top of big gun, it wasn't straightforward but a better option (for me) than dropping down to the lake. (Comment Rating 3.50) Your Score: Very useful <<  >>Average Expand pics. by collywog  2 Mar 2004 here is a picture towards the big gun (Comment Rating 3.40) Your Score: Very useful <<  >>Average COMMENTS for The Big Gun Page 1 2 Next page >> (End of comment section for The Big Gun. Recent comments about other mountains below.) RECENT CONTRIBUTIONS Page 1 2 3 4 5 .. 41 Next page >> Summit Comment Sugarloaf Hill: A short sharp shock... exaisle 7 hours ago. I thought this was a short but punishing climb although I'm not as fit as I should be. There is just one short respite but as soon as one leaves the road, it's tough from the word go....well, ...    Forum: General Suggestion for West Cork walk exaisle 7 hours ago. If the hangover is bad, you might consider the spin up Mount Gabriel. There is an access road about a mile or so outside Schull...it's tarmac all the way up and the views are excellent. Of cou... Summit Comment Mount Gabriel: Does driving up count? exaisle 7 hours ago. I'll be honest, it was 25degrees and the sun was beating down. Tipp and Waterford were on the field and I could hear the clash of the ash over the car radio. So I said feckit, and drove up. ...    Summit Summary Knocknafallia: Oh summit where art thou? Collaborative entry Last edit by: jackill 14 hours ago. Park on the roadside at S112 083 (Point A) on the Mellary to Newcastle road just after you cross the border to Tipperary and an abandoned farmhouse. There is room here for 5-6 cars. You will noti... Forum: General Thanks Gouganebarra... Conor74 19 hours ago. Lots of very helpful info there. Now hope the weather holds up.    Summit Summary Knocknagnauv: Oh me auld bones. Collaborative entry Last edit by: jackill 14 hours ago. Park on the roadside at S112 083 on the Mellary to Newcastle road just after you cross the border to Tipperary and an abandoned farmhouse. There is room here for 5-6 cars. You will notice there a... Summit Comment Slievenaglogh: Diamonds aren't always a girl's best friend kernowclimber 2 days ago. A steep climb up a series of steps (ouch) from the Hare's Gap to the summit of Slievenaglogh rewards the climber with incredible views over Slieve Bearnagh, Slieve Meelmore and Ben Crom Reservoir....    Forum: General Suggestion for West Cork walk gouganebarra a day ago. Conor74, I'd suggest that you could climb Shehy Mor (and combine it with Djouce and Doughill mountains for a longer walk). The best access for climbing Shehy Mor is from the unclassified road whic... Summit Comment Scarr: Ronnie Petrie grzywaczmarcin 2 days ago. Descending from Scarr and Kanturk I met Ronnie Petrie memorial. I tried to find some information about him in the network but all I found is that he was involved in process of opening lands around...    Summit Comment Sugarloaf Mountain: Shipwrecks and the French jackill 2 days ago. The Sugarloaf with its whitewashed pillar stands sentry over Bantry bay. The bay itself has seen the devils own share of history and tragedy. The town of Bantry was the place where an attempt t... Summit Comment Little Sugar Loaf: Spirals three5four0 2 days ago. Climbed Little Sugar Loaf after the ascent of Great Sugar Loaf, earlier that morning. Found the spirals cut into the rock on the summit, but not those on the north top mentioned by mcrtchly. New o...    Forum: General Recommendations for hillwalks in West Cork? Conor74 a day ago. Heading to a stag this weekend, so will be down in West Cork and probably needing a hangover cure on Sunday - could even go early enough Saturday too if it meant bagging a good few summits in any ... RECENT CONTRIBUTIONS Page 1 2 3 4 5 .. 41 Next page >>