Today we hiked Croagh Patrick. My pilgrimage included climbing the vertical, rocky mountain barefoot. Now if you want to see how far you can push your mind and body then make the pilgrimage barefoot. This was probably the hardest, yet most rewarding thing I have ever done. It is a huge mental game. Much bigger than I was expecting. Most hikes I have been on, people still talk and laugh and keep each other company. This time was different. At many of the hardest parts there was silence, which means I found myself motivating myself to keep pushing. When I had imagined Croagh Patrick, I was expecting many of the other mountains I have seen here, which include some rocks scattered around some parts of it or on the sides and then mostly grass. However, Croagh Patrick is mostly all rock. Not only is the exhaustion pressing down on you, but the constant reminder that you are barefoot. I was constantly staring at the ground, watching my footing and any pointy rocks sticking up. People would pass us saying things like “fair game (or play)” –  meaning good job –  lots of “good lucks,” “you guys are crazy,” etc., and my personal favorite “wow I can’t imagine what your sins are if this is your penance.”

After the whole rocky beginning we hit the flat part. It’s not completely flat it still has a slope and goes up like most other mountains I’ve hiked, but this was the easy part. The next section was a complete vertical. Now I know what you’re thinking that that’s probably an exaggeration and yes it may be a little bit. But imagine this I was walking up one hand holding my camera and the other gripping the rocks helping myself up. So yes I do think it was pretty steep. This part was especially hard mentally. At this point, I didn’t even notice my feet. I was just focused on making my way up and this is the time my self-motivation came in handy. I had to keep reminding myself that I was in Ireland climbing Croagh Patrick barefoot and I was at the final stretch and that was enough to help. The view helped a great deal too. At one point I looked down and could see the clouds wrapping around the mountain at both sides, engulfing me. Everything around me, except the rocks on the mountain were white. I couldn’t see the top or the bottom and I had to stop to remind myself this was real life. The blanket of clouds made it seem like everything was glowing white. The only way I can describe it, and probably very cliché, was that it felt like I was walking into heaven. It was that pure and perfect. This gave me the extra boost to keep going and although I couldn’t see the top I knew I had to be getting close.

The real champs

I was overcome with emotion when I finally got to the top. I don’t know if it was from the sun coming out right when I got there or from my feet being so relieved I was done. I immediately found a quiet place to sit on the edge of the mountain and what do you know but a dog comes right up to me to welcome me here. He sat right in my lap and put his arms on me almost asking for a hug (which I gave him of course). This was probably the most amazing feeling in the world. I couldn’t help but to tear up. As I looked at my muddy (and a little bloody) toes and the view behind them I know this was totally and completely worth it. It was the most rewarding feeling ever. Travelling Ireland was on my travel bucket list in general, but climbing Croagh Patrick barefoot that was on another level. I was so proud of myself that I didn’t even mind anything I just did, almost temporarily forgetting it. I opened my phone to take a picture and the quote on my screen popped up. “The wilderness holds answers to questions man has not yet learned to ask.” I forgot that was my lock screen, but I think it was very fitting for this situation. Everything felt so surreal to the point I didn’t feel the need to say anything. Looking out as far as I could see I thought that quote summed everything up. All the emotions, thoughts, everything. It was perfect, absolutely perfect.

As amazing as I felt, I really did enjoy the break at the top. I didn’t realize how hungry I got, so eating something was really nice. We could not have asked for better weather today. It was sunny with few clouds and fairly warm. I couldn’t imagine how it would have been if it was raining, it was hard enough already. It was so nice I was even able to just wear a t-shirt! It did get quite cold now that I was sitting up there, though and the adrenaline started to die out. Luckily I have been getting used to Ireland weather for the past month so I had an extra sweatshirt and jacket in my backpack. The wind would pick up and blow so hard, but that meant that momentarily the sky cleared to reveal an amazing 360^o view. One side was the trail back down. Another more mountains and land, and lastly the water and little islands inside of it. I unsuccessfully attempted to clean my feet before putting my socks and shoes back on. It was weird with them, but probably for the best at this point. I made my way into the little chapel on top of that mountain. Unfortunately, Mass just ended when we got there. That would have been an amazing experience itself, but it’s ok I’ll just have to save that for next time.

After I took as many pictures as I could with the views I had and we finished the celebratory Oreos (celebrat-oreos) Rachel brought up for the occasion, we made our trek back down. Usually hiking down a mountain doesn’t hurt my knees too bad, but again this one was tough. It did feel better having shoes on though. Especially with the rocks sliding and we would have to quickly step to catch ourselves. There were plenty of sharp rocks my feet would not have appreciated it too much. (Quick shout out to Ryan, he didn’t even bring shoes so he made it up and down barefoot. Major props.) The hike back down allowed me to appreciate the view even more, especially at this different angle. I took my time coming down, taking it all in and snapping more pictures, As expected, the way down felt much shorter than the way up and we got there in no time! (Although still probably took us an hour) At the bottom there was a little hut so we rewarded ourselves with some delicious and healthy smoothies. They were very refreshing and exactly what we need. We definitely earned it! The two hour ride back started out loud and talkative as everyone shared their thoughts, but quickly quieted down as the exhaustion hit. I think everyone napped at least a little bit on the 2 hour drive back, except the bus driver because that would be bad.

Arriving back home everyone was starving and food was the top priority. Half of the group made their way to a restaurant for a full, big meal, while the rest of us just wanted whatever was closest and fastest. We found ourselves at a pizza shop right down the road. I think we just about bought the entire place out, we all ordered so much. With the burning boxes in our hands, we gathered in our apartment to eat. Halfway through the meal, we realized we had been eating in absolute silence with no breaks since we had gotten back. We decided to slow down and talk for a little bit and just relax. After dinner, I went to shower and could really feel my feet. Even now lying in bed typing this up, I can feel how tender my cutup feet are, but I still firmly stand by my statement that it was definitely worth it and one of the greatest things I have done in my life. One of the hardest yes, but with that also one of the best.