A renowned sailor has made the most of Alpine conditions to complete a descent of Carrauntoohil on skis.
Damian Foxall, a Volvo Ocean Race winner, took advantage of recent heavy snowfall on Ireland’s highest mountain to achieve the rare feat.
The Kerryman’s 400m descent on skis brought him from the summit of Carrauntoohil to the top of the well-known gulley known as the Devil’s Ladder.
Mr Foxall said the conditions on the slope known locally as the Shoulder of Corrán were ideal for the attempt.
"At 05.30am, with a head torch on, I started the ascent, by sunrise I had the skis on to climb the final few hundred metres to the cross.
"Then the sky cleared, no one there and a clean line of snow all the way down to the top of the devils ladder.
"I took off for my first downhill ski on our highest mountain, avoiding the scree fields, and the ridge edges on a perfect slope, the feeling was unreal, exhilarating, a once in a decade experience," he said.
Mr Foxall has competed in ten round-the-world races which include four first place wins.
