I enjoyed my first successful ascent of this amazing mountain last Thursday 2nd October 2014. I arrived at the car park at 0930. People were already gathering for ascent which surprised me a little. (please note, this is a pay for parking zone). Ascent began at the Statue of St Patrick and was quite a 'grind' from the off. All uphill for what seemed like a very long time. (must have been several hundred meters of ascent until reaching the 'col'..... At this point I was blown over, and received a few 'war wounds'...... My right of passage I guess. Do be careful folks as wind direction can become Funneled and strike without much warning. The going was easy enough for a while until I reached the main summit ridge. This appeared to be a 45 degree (almost certainly much less of course) angle skree slope. An easier section appeared to indicate sticking to the right hand side section of ''path''' which eventually reaches the chapel indicating my success on this most Holy of Irish mountains. Happy days!. I always feel very excited upon reaching yet another goal no matter how difficult or specific altitude. It always feels fabulous. (my personal ascent time was in the region of one hour and forty five minutes) I did stay for a couple of hours talking with so many happy hikers. There were many many other folk out on the Reek (a rough estimate would be in the region of 200 - 300 hikers, school groups, tourists, pilgrims. It was great craic on the return leg as everybody wished to know if they were 'nearly there'... Ten minutes, fifteen minutes, twenty minutes........etc etc. A tad more dangerous on the return leg, especially on the skree which, on occasion slipped away towards ascending hikers. Also a young gentleman lost his footing when the rocks slipped under him and sent himself backwards.. He was a very lucky fella to correct this error. On my return to Campbell's pub, a very welcome pint of cider and a very enjoyable sandwich were the order of the day for me!

Sticks can be purchased for three Euro's in one of the well stocked cafes/souvenir shops beside the car park. Also of interest is the amazing National famine memorial across the road. Note, this coastal stretch of road is very dangerous to cross with so much in the way of tourist traffic. There is a crossing close to the pub.

(also of note are the fact that toilet blocks are to be found shortly after arriving at the beginning of the flat stretch (col). Also just hidden behind the summit chapel.

As a last comment I would suggest that a well built path should eventually be built all the way to the summit. This would be an aid to contain the serious nature of erosion on the mountain from tens of thousands of annual hikers. (including me of course). Just a thought and probably a controversial idea by many. Folk walking the reek (often bare foot) for religious reasons my well find problems with the path concept? Which I completely understand of course. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/65/comment/17709/