Daragh vows to finish the solo challenge to Everest base camp later this year

A Cork man thousands of kilometres into a massive charity cycle to Everest base camp has had to abandon the trip due to monsoon conditions in India.

Daragh Cronin, 23, spoke of his devastation as atrocious weather forced him to pause the 12,500km trek in aid of Cork University Hospital’s children’s unit.

He jetted back into Ireland on Monday after 143 days on the road but has vowed to finish the solo challenge flying out to Mumbai later this year for the final leg.

“It’s one of the toughest decisions I’ve have to make and one I didn’t want to even consider,” said the steel fabricator from Blackrock.

“We’re seeing over 100mm of rain in a single day, with hundreds of millimetres falling every week. Landslides, flooding, and dangerous road conditions have made continuing simply too risky. I’ve walked the fine line of danger versus adventure.

“It started off stuck on the side of the road in a half flooded slum. Unable to move an inch forward, having a mental breakdown like never before.

“I’ve seen more sketchy scenarios than I can count and this time I’m going to listen to Mother Nature and to people with far more experience than me.”

At his lowest point last weekend, Cronin, holed up in what he described as a rat-infested Mumbai hotel, received a message from fellow Cork man Billy Kingston, who lives just 5km away. Along with his room mate, he took the cyclist in, allowing him the space and time to decide to call time on the trip for now.

Cronin set off from his beloved Blackrock Hurling Club in February, aiming to reach Everest base camp by September.