Explorer climbs stunning Irish sea stack six years after becoming the very first person to do so

By Luke Kenton

This experienced explorer climbed a stunning sea stack in Donegal, Ireland, six years after becoming the first person to venture up it.

Climbed by only one other person since, Iain Miller, of Unique Ascent, decided to traverse the natural eye-catching monument, known as “Bristí,” for the first time since 2011.

PIC BY PAUL DOHERTY/CATERS NEWS

The relatively unknown arch, standing at 25 feet tall, finds itself surrounded by spectacular sights provided by the breathtaking coastline of a hidden peninsula, named Crohy Head, near Maghery Village.

Despite having to wade through choppy tides and scale unconventional rock formations to reach the stack’s peak, veteran climber Iain makes the ascent look easy, punching the air from the top, following a three-hour climb.

Accompanied on the climb by videographer Paul Doherty, Iain, who tackled the structure on August 8, said: “This stack has only ever been climbed by one person other than me, and after solo climbing it in 2011, I thought I had to return.

PIC BY PAUL DOHERTY/CATERS NEWS

“The view from the top is outrageous in the sense of isolation and detachment from the real world that it provides.

“With the air and ocean all around in all directions, the mainland of Donegal seems so far away, despite only being around 100 feet away.

“Not only did we have to consider the unconventional shape of the rock, but also the tide, wave height and direction, as well as all of the conventional rock climbing concerns.

PIC BY PAUL DOHERTY/CATERS NEWS

“The atmosphere surrounding the stack and its approach makes it a very memorable one indeed.”