We're not pilgrims

Today was Croag Patrick day. Yes, Saint Patrick. Not Saint Patrick's Day. Climb a mountain day.
Drove a couple hours to get there... ended up on the wrong side of the mountain. Tom Tom again... Helpful girl at gas station pointed us in the right direction. Arrived at our destination. We going up there? Yep. Got the backpack loaded up and away we went! Slowly. Not a happy dirt trail. Rocks that like to scooby out from underneath you. Trudge trudge trudge, and rest. Lather, rinse, repeat. After about 1/6 of the way up (using our excellent guestimation processes) Tree's head started hurting her when she walked. Gave it a few good goes, then decided to let me go on ahead. Left her with water, some snacks and a plan to meet on the trail on my way down. Up I went. And it got harder, then it leveled out a tiny bit, then got a bit harder. Reached what is know as "the saddle." Or the fairly flat part before you REALLY have to start climbing. Met up with a couple of local ladies making the trek. Walked and talked with them across the saddle, then I got ahead. "We'll meet you at the top!" Started up the final third-ish of the climb, rumored to be the most difficult. Hey, this isn't too bad... then I looked up and ahead of me. Crap. Read somewhere that it's around a 55 or 60 degree angle. Up. For a mile or so. I can do this. And go. Not too terribly bad. Don't get me wrong, the climb was hard. I was just glad that my legs were keeping up well. Had to stop a couple times to figure out my route. Climbing across large loose rocks isn't the funnest. Finally reached the summit. 2509 feet in about 3 miles. Not too shabby. People do this pilgrimage in bare feet, stopping to pray and do stations along the way. I like my shoes. There's a little church at the top, stunning views of the bay and valley below and surrounding mountains. There was a good deal of wind up there too. Couple of sheep and a donkey. One of the sheeps was acting like a dog, coming up and staring at the people who had food. Wandered around a bit (and chose not to use the bathrooms rather close to the edge of the mountain), took pictures, then headed down again. About 2 1/2 hours up. Wanted to get back down to Theresa and get going before it got too late. Figured I'd pass the ladies I'd met on my way down. Oy. Ok, don't step on loose rocks. Careful... Moved aside to let the couple behind me go by. They slid a lot. Pick each step one by one. Crap, my only choice is loose rock. Ran into the locals I'd met. Good wishes were exchanged. More down. And after about 40 minutes of that, I was back in the saddle. (Had to...) Speed walked as fast as I could with uneven ground and rocks everywhere. All is well. Except I want to be down now. Starting on the final portion, keeping my eyes peeled for Theresa and loose rocks. Hit my ankle on a rock, that's gonna leave a mark. Got down to Tree, recounted our adventures, all the while continuing down to be free of the mountain (to use the words of a young boy we encountered on our way up). Theresa nearly made it to the saddle. Her legs weren't cooperating with her. Finally we were free! 2ish hours down. Something like that. I have old man knees now. Drove home, stopped for dinner on the way. I hate stairs. Glad I did it. Kinda wish I has gotten the shirt.