Not too shabby a day until we were on the summit push. This being Ireland it meant the sun disappeared and down came the clouds. Plenty of cairns and stuff to shelter in up above. I remember the scree though, two steps up, one step back.
Driving on the coast road from Murrisk towards Louisburgh we took the first real road to the left and drove around to the southeast side of the mountain. We talked with a few locals and they were very helpful about were to park. One said "you won't be seeing anyone and you won't have to deal with one of those nasty trails." I've been down this way before so I knew what to expect. It is rather steep until you get to the ridge line. As always when hiking in Ireland, watch out for the quaking bogs. They can suck you in and not let you out.
JackYoung - Jan 16, 2011 5:41 pm Date Climbed: May 3, 2009
Climbed the Reek many times
I've climb the Reek several times because although I live in California my mother lives in Westport so I usually climb the Reek a few times when I am there. In 2009 I hooked up with a few young Irish lads who showed by the old cross country route down off the summit. I'm going back in may 2011 and want to do the whole thing off trail. I know there is a way to start from the north ridge. Anyone know how to find the route?
One of my first mountain climbs ever, done a long time ago while visiting Ireland with my family. There was a heavy rain on the way down, but I enjoyed every second of it.
cheetah262 - May 14, 2009 9:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2008
Big bruise
Great, clear day...my 3rd summit in Ireland and all great weather..what luck! Took a spill on the descent and had a huge bruise on my rear for weeks!
gbajson - Apr 12, 2009 12:49 pm Date Climbed: Nov 17, 2008
fog on the top
I have badluck for Irish hills.
Ascend in the sun, but on the top I could see only clouds, nothing changed for 30 minutes there. Descent on a lower part in a brilliant-shiny-full-of-sun-no-clouds conditions!
my first ever barefoot hike. im not religious but figured why not give it a try. it was pretty fun and i met some memorable people along the way.
Katekat - Mar 21, 2008 8:24 am Date Climbed: Apr 4, 2007
Clear sky
This is really comercial mountain with crowds...The view is great and unique in Ireland.
Attila the Hun - Nov 2, 2007 9:12 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2007
Gael Force
Gael Force West consisted of 20 km of a run, 60 km of a cycle and then a run up and down Croagh Patrick to finish off. After that kind of exertion, you'd expect some nice views from the top. No such luck.....
bflah91989 - Apr 15, 2007 3:36 pm Date Climbed: Dec 27, 2003
Pilgrimage Route
I climbed this with my cousin (he had just recently knocked of Kenya and Kilimanjaro), my two brothers, an uncle and his wife. We had a great time and took video of the trip to the summit. It has a beautiful view at the top, but that might be because it was my first summit.
Crowded trail, passed an older woman who was being escorted off the lower section by mountain rescue after what it appeared to be sustaining an inujry to the leg. Hiked with a group of fellow Carleton students in fair conditions. Marvelous view from the peak, and a rapid descent to the bar for celebratory pints of bulmers. It would have been fun moving in from the front face, or the far side, next tim...
Route Climbed: Normal trail Date Climbed: ~12X from 1995 -2001
Hiked the normal trail up the "Reek" every time (~12X) I visited Westport for work at the Allergan facility. I recall getting up in 50 mins and down in 30 mins to burn off a few pints of Guinness. Always donated a punt in the summit church. Occanisonally saw some black slugs on the summit even in the snow, amazing!
Route Climbed: Straight up the front Date Climbed: 3rd Sept 2002
Nice climb (though not if you've been on the tear the night before - then its agony). Fantastic view out over Clew Bay from the top. The view is worth the climb alone. All you need after that is nice weather - which is never guaranteed in the West of Ireland. Bring waterproofs - even on what appear to be nice days.
Route Climbed: Pilgrimage Route Date Climbed: June 2001
A beautiful hike in the Irish countryside on that "rare" sunny day...I unfortunately climbed in a 40-50mph gale with horizontal (and sometimes upward!) rain...bring the latest and greatest fully waterproof gear...I was soaked to the BONE! A wonderful summit though.
Rapparee - Mar 1, 2014 9:04 pm
Classic IrelandNot too shabby a day until we were on the summit push. This being Ireland it meant the sun disappeared and down came the clouds. Plenty of cairns and stuff to shelter in up above. I remember the scree though, two steps up, one step back.
Woodswalker - Nov 14, 2013 8:18 am
Croagh Patrick1984. Stayed in Westport and hitched a ride to the trailhead. Windy at the top with a fine mist. Great experience in Ireland.
ChristianRodriguez - Aug 16, 2013 7:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2013
Nice4 hours round trip. Really nice mountain, lots of people but nice experience.
JackYoung - Apr 24, 2011 2:19 pm Date Climbed: Apr 16, 2011
Climbed off trail from the southeast sideDriving on the coast road from Murrisk towards Louisburgh we took the first real road to the left and drove around to the southeast side of the mountain. We talked with a few locals and they were very helpful about were to park. One said "you won't be seeing anyone and you won't have to deal with one of those nasty trails." I've been down this way before so I knew what to expect. It is rather steep until you get to the ridge line. As always when hiking in Ireland, watch out for the quaking bogs. They can suck you in and not let you out.
JackYoung - Jan 16, 2011 5:41 pm Date Climbed: May 3, 2009
Climbed the Reek many timesI've climb the Reek several times because although I live in California my mother lives in Westport so I usually climb the Reek a few times when I am there. In 2009 I hooked up with a few young Irish lads who showed by the old cross country route down off the summit. I'm going back in may 2011 and want to do the whole thing off trail. I know there is a way to start from the north ridge. Anyone know how to find the route?
secander - Sep 8, 2009 6:31 pm
Normal RouteOne of my first mountain climbs ever, done a long time ago while visiting Ireland with my family. There was a heavy rain on the way down, but I enjoyed every second of it.
cheetah262 - May 14, 2009 9:18 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2008
Big bruiseGreat, clear day...my 3rd summit in Ireland and all great weather..what luck! Took a spill on the descent and had a huge bruise on my rear for weeks!
gbajson - Apr 12, 2009 12:49 pm Date Climbed: Nov 17, 2008
fog on the topI have badluck for Irish hills.
Ascend in the sun, but on the top I could see only clouds, nothing changed for 30 minutes there. Descent on a lower part in a brilliant-shiny-full-of-sun-no-clouds conditions!
Felsberg - Jul 13, 2008 3:32 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 1998
Trail Barefootmy first ever barefoot hike. im not religious but figured why not give it a try. it was pretty fun and i met some memorable people along the way.
Katekat - Mar 21, 2008 8:24 am Date Climbed: Apr 4, 2007
Clear skyThis is really comercial mountain with crowds...The view is great and unique in Ireland.
Attila the Hun - Nov 2, 2007 9:12 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2007
Gael ForceGael Force West consisted of 20 km of a run, 60 km of a cycle and then a run up and down Croagh Patrick to finish off. After that kind of exertion, you'd expect some nice views from the top. No such luck.....
bflah91989 - Apr 15, 2007 3:36 pm Date Climbed: Dec 27, 2003
Pilgrimage RouteI climbed this with my cousin (he had just recently knocked of Kenya and Kilimanjaro), my two brothers, an uncle and his wife. We had a great time and took video of the trip to the summit. It has a beautiful view at the top, but that might be because it was my first summit.
stolenj - Mar 1, 2006 4:38 am
TrailCrowded trail, passed an older woman who was being escorted off the lower section by mountain rescue after what it appeared to be sustaining an inujry to the leg. Hiked with a group of fellow Carleton students in fair conditions. Marvelous view from the peak, and a rapid descent to the bar for celebratory pints of bulmers. It would have been fun moving in from the front face, or the far side, next tim...
graham - Nov 25, 2005 1:35 pm
Route Climbed: Normal trail Date Climbed: ~12X from 1995 -2001Hiked the normal trail up the "Reek" every time (~12X) I visited Westport for work at the Allergan facility. I recall getting up in 50 mins and down in 30 mins to burn off a few pints of Guinness. Always donated a punt in the summit church. Occanisonally saw some black slugs on the summit even in the snow, amazing!
huckfinn - Apr 20, 2005 4:14 pm
Route Climbed: Main Date Climbed: Aug2003Made climb barefooted. Not as hard or sore as it looks, provided that your feet are in any way tough.
Attila the Hun - Aug 10, 2004 10:57 am
Route Climbed: Straight up the front Date Climbed: 3rd Sept 2002Nice climb (though not if you've been on the tear the night before - then its agony). Fantastic view out over Clew Bay from the top. The view is worth the climb alone. All you need after that is nice weather - which is never guaranteed in the West of Ireland. Bring waterproofs - even on what appear to be nice days.
Jim Clarke - Oct 1, 2003 10:24 am
Route Climbed: Pilgrimage Route Date Climbed: June 2001A beautiful hike in the Irish countryside on that "rare" sunny day...I unfortunately climbed in a 40-50mph gale with horizontal (and sometimes upward!) rain...bring the latest and greatest fully waterproof gear...I was soaked to the BONE! A wonderful summit though.