Hiking the Beara Peninsula

Last week I spent 5 days traveling by foot and car the southwest coast of Ireland. From Dublin, to Cork, Glengariff, Adrigole, Kenmare, and Galway.

I am proud to say that during my time in Ireland, I trekked to the summit of the Beara Peninsula (1,913 feet high), and camped (for the first time!) on the mountain during the February weather. For miles, our only companions were sheep. The local Irish residents thought us crazy for venturing out there in the rainy season; they told us, "you are young and foolish to go up there in this weather!" but were nonetheless excited for us when we returned with stories of adventure. They greeted us, back in the small town of Glengariff, with wine, and relished in the details of our youthful, perhaps foolish, determination, stubbornness, and bravery.

There were highs and lows. We trekked through miles of ankle-deep muddy terrain, 70 mph hail storms, and near constant rain. In between, were some of the most beautiful moments I have ever had the privilege to experience: rolling hills of green and amber grass bathed in sunlight. Admittedly, I was scared and sometimes very cold. Being born and raised in NYC with a family that is terrified of nature (I hadn't gone on a hike until I was 17 for a class trip), it was a very new experience for me.

This experience has taught me so much about the long term haul of big goals. There were so many times when I felt it was too much, how would I keep going? But I literally had to keep putting one step in front of another, no matter how lousy the step was (aka stepping into deep mud, rolling my ankle)... and eventually... I made it to the top somehow. I would do it all over again without a doubt, and have come back feeling confident in my ability to persevere through thick and thin.