29 May 2005. Brandon clear! I had aborted a climb the previous day, preferring sunshine on Ballydavid Head, Sybil Head and Mount Eagle to murk and showers on Brandon, and just had to take advantage of this opportunity. I planned to follow the Faha ridge (a "piece of cake", according to another climber I met - I reserved judgement on that) and take in all the tops north of Brandon senior. Anyway, the climb to the east top could hardly be easier, and on this fine day the views were breathtaking. Once the east top is reached, the walking is interspersed with scrambling. I was reminded of Aonach Eagach in Glencoe, though the scrambles here are shorter and the ridge itself is much shorter. And as I hadn't traversed the ridge before, I was always mindful that negotiating the final obstacle could be tricky...... Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/30/comment/1749/

This picture was taken after descending part way from the east top. It shows the north east top with the north top directly behind. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/30/comment/1751/

Followed the track from the Faha Grotto to point 118 488 A then ascended a very steep slope to top of ridge. The approach to Benagh follows a very narrow track with spectacular views into the valley floor. Beyond Benagh towards Faha Ridge becomes extremely tricky and dangerous in bad conditions. I notice that in a previous comment from skyehigh, he met a walker who described it as a 'piece of cake'. This is rubbish. The narrow track weaves in, out and over huge boulders and people have been killed on this track in the past. So extreme caution is necessary. Having said that, it's doable with care and is certainly among the most spectacular routes in Ireland, especially on a clear day. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/30/comment/4716/

I finally managed to find a view of the east top which does it justice. The viewpoint is below the north top (point 891). Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/30/comment/1752/

Brandon Mountain East Top in the centre of the picture viewed from the Brandon Ridge between Brandon Mountain and Drom na Muice. Below on the valley floor you can see the Locha Choim an Chnoic and just above them the path that starts out at the Faha grotto above Cloghane.The walk up this path is quite easy going and well defined and offers great views down to the lakes and back over Brandon Bay to Tralee. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/30/comment/1420/