Croagh Patrick Summit

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ROF= Ring of Fire Odyssey  

MEF-H = Marine Expeditionary Force- Hargus 

Eire= Ireland journey            

Sunday April 28, 2019

Croagh Patrick Summit    Overlooking Clew Bay Murrisk, Ireland       

There are some pilgrims that climb this barefoot; I don't see how they do this without injuring / shredding their feet.

I'm up for this. Not to discourage anyone considering this but this hump is not for the faint of heart. The trail up, is not a trail. The whole way up is on loose, shifting rock. From marble size to basketball size, jagged, wobbly, unstable, ... every step has to strategically be decided on and foot placed for stability. This is NOT a leisurely ditty-bop up the mountain. Bring your "A" game. This was as challenging and exhausting as anything called on since the Marine Corps. 

Legend says he drove the snakes out of Ireland, snakes meaning pagans, and made Ireland Christian forever/ since. 

A long way from Greenbow, ALabama.

?Was it worth it? You will have to make your own decision. After a lifetime of journey the view from the edge suited me fine. I'm glad to have been able to physically do this at age 106, and experience the accomplishment and view from the summit of Croagh Patrick; Ireland's Holy Mountain. 

Samich time with the other hikers. There were about 2 dozen in the "group" that we hiked with/ alongside. I remember their color pack ect while most passed me by making a rest stop. We were not a formal hiking group; just pilgrims on the road/ hike.

This is the assorted group that passed us on the way up. So we crashed their summit picture.

We made it!!!   Croagh Patrick hikers summit Sunday April 28, 2019. We were the oldest of this bunch. Made everyone over 65 proud that day!

To drive into north Ireland, NOT Northern Ireland of Londonderry and Belfast... that will have to be another journey, and come to the town of Murrisk. The commanding, towering peak is Croagh Patrick; Mt Patrick. The mountain St Patrick climbed, spent 40 days on- meditating- praying-, then came down and drove the pagans out of Ireland.

So, once in a lifetime I get to Ireland and for 2 weeks have walked on historical ground where Irish have fought and spilled their blood in revolution, within their own churches & religions, through famines, through raids by the Vikings, by invasions by the Norse, revolted against English rule... and won. So I cannot go past this without climbing Croagh Patrick. 

Most was in the fog of the cold north Atlantic wind, 25+, Viz about 1/4 mile... on top for a few brief minutes the fog lifted and you could see Clew bay. This was a good day!

Most was in the fog of the cold north Atlantic wind, 25+, Viz about 1/4 mile... on top for a few brief minutes the fog lifted and you could see Clew bay. This was a good day!

There's never been such a thing as a "Bucket List" on this life journey. There are always interesting things in every place along the road if you will just look past the chamber of commerce & tourist brochures. Getting near the end of this Ireland journey, near the end of this life journey/ odyssey; no, I'm not sick. I still have the heart of a 21 year old US Marine platoon Sgt but this frame has been rode hard for a lifetime and this is a big deal today.

At the base, the beginning... there was an element of doubt like any beginning before you go up on the line. But knew I had the determination and drive to make this happen and the Marine Corps discipline to see it through today. And one of the reasons I was in shape to undertake this... the fact of... you know... calling on physical strength... it was because I didn't smoke or drink 'til I was 9. 

I'm up for this. Not to discourage anyone considering this but this hump is not for the faint of heart. The trail up, is not a trail. The whole way up is on loose, shifting rock. From marble size to basketball size, jagged, wobbly, unstable, ... every step has to strategically be decided on and foot placed for stability. This is NOT a leisurely ditty-bop up the mountain. Bring your "A" game. This was as challenging and exhausting as anything called on since the Marine Corps.

One of the better days of this life odyssey/ journey.

?Was it worth it? You will have to make your own decision. After a lifetime of journey the view from the edge suited me fine. I'm glad to have been able to physically do this at age 106, and experience the accomplishment and view from the top of Croagh Patrick; Ireland's Holy Mountain.

You never drink twice from the same stream. 

Just because you wander doesn't mean you're lost. 

Uncle Hargus: Last of the Independents  

Have Bear,    

          Will Travel 

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