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Annual Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage

Flog

Pilgrim
Time of past OR future Camino
2055
Today is Reek Sunday and if you're lucky enough to be climbing the mountain on such a fine day as this, I wish you well! Good shoes, a good stick and lots of water! Anyone who hasn't been up in a while will be happy to find the last section, from the shoulder up to the peak has been vastly improved and the loose scree has been formed into rough steps, making it much safer to climb, and more importantly, to descend.

Still, it's no walk in the park, take good care!

Edit:
Photos are from earlier this year with my son, I would love to be doing it today..







 
Last edited:
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Yes, it’s been masterfully done, and I accept that it will reduce the number of accidents and the degradation of the terrain when pilgrims wander off the beaten track, but still, I do feel a bit cheated! Ah well, at least they haven’t installed a chair lift as one disgruntled post on trip advisor suggested!
 
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Paladina said:
but still, I do feel a bit cheated! Ah well, at least they haven’t installed a chair lift as one disgruntled post on trip advisor suggested!
Click to expand...

I'm generally not a fan of 'improved' paths, just look at what they've done to much of Galicia with all the uniform gravel paths, and worse, concrete.

But cheated, my arse. I don't feel remotely cheated out of hardship with the summit of Croagh Patrick. They've done a superb job of blending the stepped terracing with the nature, it still has its soul and it's still a formidable climb in my opinion.
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
In 1994 I went up that mountain, and there were pilgrims doing it on their knees; allegedly 15 miles from their start point to the summit. I don't remember any issues on the ascent or descent then or upon my return in 2013. I guess tourism in Ireland has probably increased tremendously since then and may have ground up the path to scree. Got plenty of hydration back at the base with Gunness in that little bar.
 
I am glad my caminos are in the past. I am full sure that current and future pilgrims will still experience the mystery and gift of being a pilgrim, no matter the material infrastructure.
 
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Those of you who are young, save this.
Heart hunger.
That is pilgrimage.
Thank you to Op, @Flog, and to @Bradypus
Your contributions expand the experience, the yearning for pilgrimage.
In whichever tradition
Thank you. .
 

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