Mount Brandon and a Cycle over the Conor Pass

 GETTING BACK IN THE GROOVE

The June bank holiday weekend I went back to Cloghane for a few days. The weather forecast was great and I was looking forward to seeing this wonderful place at its best. Another plus was since I had been diagnosed with asthma some weeks back, I was now able to get out running again if I use my inhalers. Progress.

I was working the early shift on Friday but I was still able to set off west at lunchtime. It was a beautiful weather day and the sea looked an amazing deep blue as I drove back along the Dingle Peninsula. I arrived in O'Connors campsite after 2pm and after checking in I decided that I would go for a run. I opted to go in the quiet dead end road that runs in the valley floor to the base of the spectacular coums that sit under Ballysittera. This was a great choice as there was no traffic (1 car passed during the run) and I was able to relax and enjoy the ever improving scenery. I took my time and it felt great not to have any problems with my breathing. Not that my legs were having a great time. They felt leaden and ached a bit but that was okay. At least now I was able to run. The road is far from flat though. I was starting at sea level and I turned at 130 metres and by the time I was finished I had climbed 230 metres in total over the 12 kilometres. I was tired but delighted when I got back to the campsite. It felt great to be back.

On Saturday I decided that I would go for a cycle. The obvious choice was to head over the Conor Pass and head back to Camp via Annascaul and return to base on the north road of the peninsula. I must confess to having reservations. The Conor Pass is always a stiff proposition for me and I wasn't at all sure I would be able to manage it. How would the breathing hold up?. I thought about just doing an out and back to Camp on the north road but I guess if I didn't try I would never know. I was feeling good as I left the site and the weather was once again fabulous. The climbing started almost straight away as I turned outside the village and headed towards the pass. This two kilometre stretch gets the heart and legs pumping and once that is done the real climbing begins. I won't say the next 5 kilometres were easy but I managed to keep going. I didn't have many gears to spare but I wasn't in the lowest one...not quite. Another cyclist passed me out about half way. I managed to stick with him for about a kilometre but he gradually eased away. Still, he was just a couple of hundred metres ahead at the top. Oh yes, I did reach the top. Suitable knackered but I got there. Now I could relax and freewheel all the way to Dingle.

The breeze had behind me so far but now as I turned and headed out of town It was into me. It wasn't too strong but it made the next nearly 30 kilometres tougher than I had hoped. If I thought all the climbing was over after doing the pass then I was mistaken. There was nothing too big or too steep but there was a climb out of Dingle, a climb out of Lois Póil, a climb out of Annascaul and a climb to the pass before descending into Camp. It is fair to say I didn't set any speed records. Once I reached Camp things got easier and it was  fairly flat for the remaining 20 kilometres. I arrived back into the campsite pretty whacked but happy. It had been my toughest ride this year but once again it was a body problem rather than a breathing one. That can be worked on. I had started my ride at 09.20 so it was 12.30 when I got back. It was wonderful to relax and while away the long afternoon in glorious weather and glorious surroundings.

Leaving the village and looking to Brandon Peak

On a sunny Sunday morning I decided to go for a good hike. One of the delights of Cloghane is that you can head up Mount Brandon without using the car. After an initial delightful section out of the village there is a kilometre on the quiet lane before you reach the carpark by the grotto. If you are doing an up and back climb then it makes sense to start here but I wanted to continue along the ridge for a bit so starting from the village made sense for me. It was a stunning morning. Sunny, blue skies and just a gentle breeze, made it a perfect day for hiking. I followed the trail until I was near the crest of the Faha Ridge and here I decided to follow the crest and cross the the delightful Faha Ridge itself. It had been a few years since I had done this route and I was really looking forward to it. In order to reach the interesting section I had to slog up the broad spur until I reached the Benagh at 822 metres. Now the fun begins. 

I took my time and savoured every step. The track drops steeply and twists from one side to the other of the ever narrowing ridge. The drops on either side become greater and the views become ever more spectacular. Eventually you reach a steep impassable drop and the only way to progress is to drop steeply to the right. There are two sections to this and each requires care. Big hand holds help but a slip here would be serious. A steep wall is passed on the right, and suddenly all the difficulties are over (if you want them to be) and a steep 120 metre climb awaits. It is really quite steep and hands may be required in places. I always prefer to venture towards the impressive rock steps that lead to the top. The most difficult pieces are at the bottom and these I avoided but about one third of the way up I joined the crest and this gave further great fun to the top. I was so engrossed in the ridge that I had completely forgotten bout the awesome views that await when you top out. It was another wow moment and I took a breather and gazed about in joy and wonder. What a day. I continued to the top and after a stop for a drink I continued on towards Brandon Peak. I was feeling quite good. It felt great not to feel any tightness in the chest. It was just ordinary muscle fatigue that  I felt. That I could deal with.

After Brandon peak I across the short ridge to Gerhane and then I descended the steep but easy ridge that drops due west from the top. The views into the coum on the left are wonderful and further afield was a constant pleasure to behold. Eventually I reached the lake shore and joined the farm track that leads easily to the road that I ran a couple of days earlier. It was an easy walk along the road for four kilometres and back to the car. I relaxed a while and then packed up and headed towards home. 10 kilometres and over 1400 metres of ascent in just over 5 hours made it a worthy outing. What a relief to be back doing what I enjoy in one of my favourite places. More to come.