Well, we did it. We climbed to the top of Croagh Patrick. It’s quite a feat, let me tell you. I’ve climbed many mountains, but this one is truly a pilgrimage. It is so steep for the last third of the climb, that at one point I was climbing with hands and feet.
And, it was truly a once in a lifetime experience to make this ascent surrounded by so many devotees of Saint Patrick.
As is the tradition, some young men were even climbing in bare feet. I’ve included pictures, below, so you can get a sense of just what it might be like to climb this mountain without shoes.
Not only was the scenery simple stunning, the climb itself was hard, as the trail has so much loose rock and the slope is so steep.
We started out with sunshine, but soon the top of the mountain was covered by clouds. From the base to the top, there’s a 2,500 ft. elevation change.
As I wrote in my last post, in pre-Christian times, this mountain was considered to be the mountain of the Great Mother. So as I hiked, I payed homage to both the Mother and to St. Patrick.
I’d love to know:
Have you ever climbed this mountain, or have gone on a pilgrimage to something you hold dear?
Tomorrow’s post: Queen Maeve’s tomb…
