What better on Good Friday than combine a pilgrimage, a ridge walk and a visit to the West. Got details from wicklore's track and started at L95090 80949 A where we parked on the roadside outside a house. The weather was changeable but dry having just rained. Headed up towards Croagh Patrick Far East Top. The cloud base rose to allow lovely views out over Clew Bay. On the way to Croagh Patrick East Top the powers that be took back the view!
We plodded along to join the track up from the main car-park. and joined the last of the pilgrims making their way to the top of Croagh Patrick. Some people think they will be impervious to the weather. The range of unsuitable clothing was amazing. Close to the summit, the weather deteriorated and the picture at the summit was not taken with a Vaseline coated lens ... but an example of the prevailing conditions as we sheltered in the lee of the Chapel.
After a quick snack (held on to grimly against the clutching gale) we proceeded on to Ben Goram and followed the ridge as best we could while being pummelled by hail-stones. Continued on carefully and descended successfully to end at L87610 80599 B. A good penance for a penitent crew! Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/65/comment/6766/

Croagh Patrick is easily Irelands most visited mountain (Carrauntoohil might disagree but I firmly believe it is) and it's easy to see why. To look at it from the ground, it's conical shape is very unique and up on top the views out over Clew Bay are magnificent. The history of St Patrick and the church on the top also add to the pull of the mountain. It has become a victim of it's own success and the erosion now on the mountain is quite evident. To reach the summit it's a straightforward up and down from the car park at L91940 82340 C. Just follow the traffic. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/65/comment/20125/

I climbed by the Pilgrims' Path on Friday 20th July 2007.

Shortly before I arrived there had been a very heavy shower of rain and the reek was covered in low cloud but as I went up it soon cleared. Judging by the folks I met on their way down it obviously caught a few people unawares on the hill!

The first half was pretty tough walking for me. My fitness has decreased more in the last 12 months than I thought and the heat was pretty full on and not helped by wearing full trousers, boots and gaiters to avoid getting soaked by the runoff at the start. I also made the classic mistake of starting off at too fast a pace and tired very quickly. There were a number of rest stops and each time I had to convince myself it was worth going on. Eventually I reached the top of the first section and this flattish stretch allowed me to catch my breath, shake off the remaining midges and rebuild my enthusiasm for the final tough 200m push which was looming intimidatingly over me.

As I reached the bottom of the last section the low cloud came piling back in and took away the fantastic view. However, it also limited vision to about 20m which meant that I could concentrate on the very steep trail ahead of me without being put off by the distance I still had to go.

Suddenly and without warning the summit with it's horrible temporary shelters and larger than expected oratory appeared out of the mist. I had been dreading this last section but although it was tough it wasn't as bad as I expected. IME the trick was staying on the more eroded section which has less loose rock and is easier to keep a good grip on. I wandered around briefly and suddenly the clouds parted for about 30seconds and I had a view to the South before it closed in again. I only had time for a few quick photos before it came back and the temperature dropped in the cold breeze and light rain so I repacked and headed for the geocache site located close to the summit.

After a brief chat with two guys at the oratory I was away again and it's almost a joy coming back down this mountain. The track is firm and dry for most of the way so it's easy to keep up a good speed without slipping or falling. The steepest section from the summit is the toughest with a constant need to check where your feet are going but after that it's easy.

In the thick mist it was a bit of a surreal experience with the occasional sheep appearing out of nowhere and only the rocky side of the mountain visible. A bit on the bleak side also.

About halfway down I suddenly dropped out of the cloud cover in time to have a fantastic view out over Clew Bay and to experience a fantastic sunset for the rest of the way down.

I was back at the van at 10pm having left at 6:30 and spent about 20mins on the summit. A fantastic walk and I'm so glad I kept going each time my traitorous mind tried to convince me otherwise. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/65/comment/2778/

I travelled to Croagh Patrick yesterday to start climb at 9am and meet Matt Loughrey who was setting out to climb the reek for the 219th consecutive day. Alot of ice on the first section from the car park to the flat ground half way. The remainder of the climb was snow covered , but not very slippy. Cold breeze at summit made for a quick visit. Descent was a bit more tricky, it was easy to slip on the ice patches , and this made for slow progress near the bottom. All in all an excellent morning , lots of sun and beautiful clear views for miles around.
Matt has a webpage www.croaghpatrick365.com , please visit and see his fantastic efforts to raise money for St.V de Paul. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/65/comment/6199/

Took this on the 298th climb by Matt Loughrey for 365 challenge. beautiful clear views in all directions, never fails to awe me. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/65/comment/6330/

Reek Sunday 2007 Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/65/comment/1733/