Pilgrimege to Croagh Patrick - Shot Talk

IrishGolfer · iTrader: (2) #1 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 05:37 AM

So my family and I went to Westport last week, a holiday town on the West coast of Ireland. What a beautiful part of the world this is. And our highlight was a trek to the top of Croagh Patrick, a 2,500 ft mountain, that has some very interesting history (Croagh Patrick - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

As per all Summer the weather during my week away was for the most part shite ("ah but at least the rain was warm!"), but we lucked out that day and got a corker. The views at the sumit were breathtaking and well worth the 5 hour round trip. By the sound of it the summit has been enshrouded in clouds most of the sumer so we were very lucky to get such nice views.

Well 5 hours might sound like a long time, but I had a 7 and 5 year old in tow, and an unfit Mr. and Mrs. IG, so I was just happy to reach the top, survive and live to tell the tale. My legs were seriously stiff the next day!

I got some cracking pics but haven't downloaded them yet. In the meantime here's ones I have "borrowed" to give you an idea of "the beauty of West Coast Ireland". (They should give me a job on Bord Failte)

IrishGolfer · iTrader: (2) #2 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 05:39 AM

and here's what it looks like from the ground...

IrishGolfer · iTrader: (2) #3 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 05:42 AM

and here's a pic of me in action...

(actually some people WERE in bare feet, total nutters!!)

Bravo · iTrader: (0) #4 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 07:55 AM

I get more education about the world on here than I'd ever imagined...great photos! I can imagine that it is quite a hike from sea level to the top....does the peak get snow in the winter?

**Eracer** · iTrader: (7) #5 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 08:03 AM

How did Pearse and the other young one handle the climb? Probably yelling, "come on Dad, catch up!" all day....

Beautiful place.

**Clugnut** · iTrader: (3) #6 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eracer

How did Pearse and the other young one handle the climb? Probably yelling, "come on Dad, catch up!" all day....

Beautiful place.

Pearse was yelling " I know where the peak is!"

I love Ireland. Its such a beautiful place. I can't wait to visit someday.

**Eracer** · iTrader: (7) #7 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clugnut

Pearse was yelling " I know where the peak is!"

I love Ireland. Its such a beautiful place. I can't wait to visit someday.

...

IrishGolfer · iTrader: (2) #8 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 08:49 AM

Actually Pearse (7) made it to the Summit with me. The younger lad Seamus (5) ran out of puff, so himself and his mother made it about 2/3 the way, a stirling effort.

The last bit of the climb was severe and was not unlike that last photo. Lots of loose rocks, not hugely dangerous but one had to be careful.

Pearse was hillarious. I plan to post his video log.

B. Ireland doresn't get much by the way of snow. I imagine snow sits for a few weeks at the peak, but I would think you would have to be a few thousand feet higher to see any real snow. It's not the highest peak in ireland but probably one of the most climbed.

On St. Patrick's Day every year, thousands of people climb to the summit and have been doing this over 100 years.

**VtDivot** · iTrader: (0) #9 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 09:17 AM

Looks just like home in NS

We used to do some serious hiking here in VT, but our little guy isn't old enough yet to tackle the terrain here. I bet you guys had a blast. Did you notice the extra wind at the top?

Bravo · iTrader: (0) #10 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VtDivot

Looks just like home in NS

We used to do some serious hiking here in VT, but our little guy isn't old enough yet to tackle the terrain here. I bet you guys had a blast. Did you notice the extra wind at the top?

Have you climbed Mount Washington in New Hampshire?

**VtDivot** · iTrader: (0) #11 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bravo

Have you climbed Mount Washington in New Hampshire?

Nope - drive by it once a year though when we travel to NS. I'd like to one day.

IrishGolfer · iTrader: (2) #12 (**permalink**) 09-28-2007, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eracer

How did Pearse and the other young one handle the climb? Probably yelling, "come on Dad, catch up!" all day....

Beautiful place.

This makes me smile. Pearse is growing up to be quite "the little entertainer".

I'm working on sub-titles for our North American friends.

**Eracer** · iTrader: (7) #13 (**permalink**) 09-29-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bravo

Have you climbed Mount Washington in New Hampshire?

I climbed it. In the train.

Though I did climb a hill in NH that took about five hours, and put us in a spot where we could see forever. It wasn't a terribly hard climb (mostly good trails), and I did it almost 30 years ago, so I don't remember the name of the mountain.

Beautiful country up there, for sure.

Adam Pettman · iTrader: (0) #14 (**permalink**) 09-29-2007, 03:44 PM

Love that accent IG.

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