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Anyone climbing Croagh Patrick?

Graces7

Today is Reek Sunday, the annual Pilgrimage at Murrisk, Reek Sunday.

Any boardsies climbing? Or have climbed?

My neighbour here has climbed it 5 times...

And no, not me.. climbing in and out of bed is enough challenge! Great respect for those who do.. Was to Murrisk a while back, chatting to those about to start...

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ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

I was there, lovely day for climbing and the crowds weren't too big which I think is a good thing because it makes it a lot safer when people aren't hitting off each other when some are going up and others are on the way down.

Lot easier to get parking as well.

I climb it most years, not for any religious reason as such but more so to test my fitness and the view from the top on a day like today is worth it.

I think that's the way with most people who go there now, some as a pilgrimage and others for lots of different reasons.

Genuine question: Why today though? Why not mid week or next weekend, when it's quieter?

theteal

Part of the family originates from over them there parts so I spent all the summers of my formative years working as free child labour in the shadow of the thing. We would have climbed it most years. Only did it "the" Sunday once as a relative was saying mass at the top and we went up from the back side as it takes about half the time and avoids the crowds.

As mentioned it's only a trek, not a climb, it's only the top 20% that offers any difficulty as the surface is comprised of stones that give way underfoot. Quite fun coming down at a bit of pace though.

Galwayguy35

Elliana Cool Life wrote: »

Genuine question: Why today though? Why not mid week or next weekend, when it's quieter?

More so out of habit I suppose really, myself and the brother do it and this is the day we go every year.

AllForIt

Lexi Abundant Cat wrote: »

Climbed it 7/8 times as a child. Hated it every time. The view from the top is nice but not worth it imo. Swore I would never do it again the last time and I won't. I wouldn't be able to now anyway.

Who's making you do it?

Srameen wrote: »

Genuine question: Why today though? Why not mid week or next weekend, when it's quieter?

Cause there's a great buzz around the place on the day. But ya my most enjoyable climb was on a sunny but cold Feb midweek day. Solid ice on the top was amazing.

r93kaey5p2izun

AllForIt wrote: »

Who's making you do it?

Who is or who was? Obviously nobody is now so I'll ever do it again as I said. My father was making me do it hence having to suffer through it many times as a child.

Noveight

Climbing Croagh Patrick is on the long list of things I must do when I get the ambition in me

I've heard the views are beautiful provided the weather is right.

Graces7

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

More so out of habit I suppose really, myself and the brother do it and this is the day we go every year.

It is a strong and valid tradition that has stood the test of time. A solidarity .... an anchoring in the year, that means so much for so many. Always open but a gathering, a unity , is a positive and a strength.

Those of us who cannot climb can be there in spirit..

Long may Reek Sunday last. It is part of Ireland.

Graces7

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

I was there, lovely day for climbing and the crowds weren't too big which I think is a good thing because it makes it a lot safer when people aren't hitting off each other when some are going up and others are on the way down.

Lot easier to get parking as well.

I climb it most years, not for any religious reason as such but more so to test my fitness and the view from the top on a day like today is worth it.

I think that's the way with most people who go there now, some as a pilgrimage and others for lots of different reasons.

The tripadviser page I quoted attests to this. For many still a holy task, and a unity with others on this day of the year set aside for this.

Graces7

Call me Al wrote: »

Maybe her prayers have been answered and it's dropping Graces7 home :-) :-) :-)

I wish!

uck51js9zml2yt

Under His Eye wrote: »

The Garda Press Office?

They're not exactly good with accurate numbers, are they ?;)

[Deleted User]

deaglan1 wrote: »

That mountain is for followers of God, not followers of Gold.

Who do you think outnumber who in this country these days, OP? Not putting words in your mouth here, not stirring anything up, just a genuine question.

Doctors room ghost

P_1 wrote: »

Actually out of interest, for anyone who does it for the pilgrimage, does the church provide any sort of a training plan for you to follow in the weeks leading up to it? I mean it's not an easy mountain to climb and you would wonder how many people who do Reek Sunday would be out climbing mountains most weekends. If they don't it does strike me as being somewhat irresponsible.

The parish priest from Westport was on Midwest radio the day before highlighting the dangers involved in the climb and advising people not to underestimate the task at hand.fr Charlie is his name.he was a parish priest in Galway before moving to Westport and have to say he was one of the soundest priests I ever met.he was great craic.was a pity he moved he was one of the most down to earth people I ever met and everyone had great time for him.

hairyslug

Did it a few years ago in February, was struggling with a hangover and a friend said it would clear my head, struggled all the way up and down but couldn't see 2ft in front of me when I got up there, would definitely do it again though.

Graces7

Here are the videos

https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2018/0729/981742-reek-sunday/

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/walk-to-joe-duffy-joins-5000-pilgrims-at-summit-of-croagh-patrick-37166110.html

A lovely and meaningful day in so many ways for so many ..

P_1

Doctors room ghost wrote: »

The parish priest from Westport was on Midwest radio the day before highlighting the dangers involved in the climb and advising people not to underestimate the task at hand.fr Charlie is his name.he was a parish priest in Galway before moving to Westport and have to say he was one of the soundest priests I ever met.he was great craic.was a pity he moved he was one of the most down to earth people I ever met and everyone had great time for him.

That's brilliant to hear and hopefully more pps would be doing something like that. Even small things like encouraging people to go for walks/hikes in the weeks beforehand to avoid cases like the man who had to be airlifted off the mountain with a heart attack.

Galwayguy35

A bit of grub and a cool pint of porter in Campells after coming down goes down well.

mikemac2

Noveight wrote: »

Climbing Croagh Patrick is on the long list of things I must do when I get the ambition in me I've heard the views are beautiful provided the weather is right.

It's a mad place

When I started it last year it was pouring rain, then sun splitting rocks, then crazy wind and when I got to the top the fog was ridiculously thick. No photos of Clew Bay for me. Same random combination coming back down

New weather every half hour

Under His Eye

How long does it take to climb it?

Grayson

P_1 wrote: »

Actually out of interest, for anyone who does it for the pilgrimage, does the church provide any sort of a training plan for you to follow in the weeks leading up to it? I mean it's not an easy mountain to climb and you would wonder how many people who do Reek Sunday would be out climbing mountains most weekends. If they don't it does strike me as being somewhat irresponsible.

There's info online. Mayo Mountain rescue would put a lot of it up. Someone mentioned the local parish priest (He's a sound chap, I've met him too) and I'd imagine he'd mention it to locals but I have no idea if it'd be mentioned in other parishes. And considering people travel to it, it wouldn't matter what he said in westport.

I've never climbed it and my family live next door to it. We're behind it rather than on the Murrisk side. My family are all involved in it from a safety side. My whole family is medical except me. The stories I've heard about the idiot climbers. Women in high heels. Guys in flip flops. People trying to climb it at night. There's some absolute idiots out there.
I was chatting to my sister last night and we mentioned that the weather was perfect this year. Too hot and people get sun stroke. Warm at the bottom and people try it in teeshirts and get hypothermia. Bit chilly at the bottom, but not much wind and rain is perfect

Mint Sauce

Grayson wrote: »

There's info online. Mayo Mountain rescue would put a lot of it up. Someone mentioned the local parish priest (He's a sound chap, I've met him too) and I'd imagine he'd mention it to locals but I have no idea if it'd be mentioned in other parishes. And considering people travel to it, it wouldn't matter what he said in westport.

I've never climbed it and my family live next door to it. We're behind it rather than on the Murrisk side. My family are all involved in it from a safety side. My whole family is medical except me. The stories I've heard about the idiot climbers. Women in high heels. Guys in flip flops. People trying to climb it at night. There's some absolute idiots out there.
I was chatting to my sister last night and we mentioned that the weather was perfect this year. Too hot and people get sun stroke. Warm at the bottom and people try it in teeshirts and get hypothermia. Bit chilly at the bottom, but not much wind and rain is perfect

Yeah, even though its not that high, weather can change very quickly. Especially if the mist desends.

DEFTLEFTHAND

Under His Eye wrote: »

How long does it take to climb it?

Took me just under 2 hrs from base to summit the last time I did it. It's tough in spots, very rocky. I don't know how people do it in bare feet.

I was too mean to rent one of the wooden sticks lol.

Came down heavily on my backside a couple of times on the descent. Ground can just give way underneath you.

DEFTLEFTHAND

I found Carountoohill a lot easier to climb.

Devil's ladder is the only dodgy bit.

Grayson

Under His Eye wrote: »

How long does it take to climb it?

Here's the results from the Gael Force race. It's an endurance race and one of the stages is to run up it and back down again.
http://redtagtiming.com/results/GFWest2016_Full.html?eventid=d7f6dc8f-87d9-4584-959e-2a1f304d82f2

Looking at that there's a guy who ran up it in 25-ish minutes and came down in 10-ish.

For you or me, I'd put a few hours aside for it

Galwayguy35

They mentioned yesterday some local fella is the caretaker of the church that's at the top and he goes up twice a week to give it a clean and see that everything is all right.

He has done this for 50 years.

P_1

Grayson wrote: »

There's info online. Mayo Mountain rescue would put a lot of it up. Someone mentioned the local parish priest (He's a sound chap, I've met him too) and I'd imagine he'd mention it to locals but I have no idea if it'd be mentioned in other parishes. And considering people travel to it, it wouldn't matter what he said in westport.

I've never climbed it and my family live next door to it. We're behind it rather than on the Murrisk side. My family are all involved in it from a safety side. My whole family is medical except me. The stories I've heard about the idiot climbers. Women in high heels. Guys in flip flops. People trying to climb it at night. There's some absolute idiots out there.
I was chatting to my sister last night and we mentioned that the weather was perfect this year. Too hot and people get sun stroke. Warm at the bottom and people try it in teeshirts and get hypothermia. Bit chilly at the bottom, but not much wind and rain is perfect

Possibly one for him to fly up the chain for next year maybe. Though I wonder if training for it may fly against the ethos that a pilgrimage is meant to be a struggle. Clearly I'm not catholic so would have no idea but wonder what the opinion of people who are would be about it.

Chancer3001

It's not a hard climb

Follow the path all the way. An hour or so . One steep bit for 15 minutes where you've to take your time.

That's it.

Amy fitness level can do it as long as you can step

Grayson

Chancer3001 wrote: »

It's not a hard climb

Follow the path all the way. An hour or so . One steep bit for 15 minutes where you've to take your time.

That's it.

Amy fitness level can do it as long as you can step

I know a few girls called Amy and to be fair they could all do it, so you're stop on

And on topic. My mum who's in her 70's can do it. Still I'd advise everyone to check the weather, stick to the path, wear appropriate clothing and make sure to wear shoes/booth which give you good ankle support. There are some slippery bits.

Hotblack Desiato

Graces7 wrote: »

And some do it on their knees.. Penance...

That is what the pilgrimage is about. Endurance and hardship.

Pointless suffering, "the mortification of the flesh" being one of the most loony catholic doctrines. Harming someone else's body is a bad thing but harming your own can be good, wtf?

The irony is the only reason that this mountain is held "sacred" is because of paganism which pre-dated christianity and was absorbed by it in many ways.

theteal wrote: »

Only did it "the" Sunday once as a relative was saying mass at the top and we went up from the back side as it takes about half the time and avoids the crowds.

You wouldn't be the first person to find that going up the back side saves a lot of time...

Graces7

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

Pointless suffering, "the mortification of the flesh" being one of the most loony catholic doctrines. Harming someone else's body is a bad thing but harming your own can be good, wtf?

The irony is the only reason that this mountain is held "sacred" is because of paganism which pre-dated christianity and was absorbed by it in many ways.

Not true . Began like that but changed... And your uncomprehending and erroneous thoughts do not invalidate the holiness or the idealism. or the sheer beauty of this pilgrimage- thankfully!

Maybe time to talk to someone and understand these things?

I do not personally believe in or practice mortification, but I do not carp at those who do and I understand why they believe in it and respect that practice and belief.
Would respect it and them even if I did not understand.

Croagh Patrick is a great leveller... a great equaliser too! Blessed are all who are able for it.

OK so where is that chopper!

Blessings and peace

Graces7

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

They mentioned yesterday some local fella is the caretaker of the church that's at the top and he goes up twice a week to give it a clean and see that everything is all right.

He has done this for 50 years.

He is on this video AFTER Joe duffy

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/walk-to-joe-duffy-joins-5000-pilgrims-at-summit-of-croagh-patrick-37166110.html