Hiking The Ireland Way with The Hiking Rev, Stages 13 & 14 - Big Dog Way, Belcoo to Belleek

[@AlanJohnsonSunbird]

Another good one Sir. My wife and I really have enjoyed your videos now for years. On a funny note, now that I’ve heard you sing, I realize why you were a minister rather than the choir director. 😀

[@TheHikingRev]

Ain’t that the truth. They told me, “You either have to sing or preach. You can’t do both.” Since I couldn’t sing…oh well! 😂

[@AlanJohnsonSunbird]

By the way, you and I are blessed with the exact same singing voice “gift”. 😀

[@judithpearson3968]

Afternoon, Rev. I was concerned about you being so wet, just by watching the video. And that is even knowing you're home and safe. You looked wet and miserable. Glad you stopped in a B&B so you could get warm and dry. Often, I wish I could be physically hiking with you, but this time, I was glad I was only hiking vicariously with you. Not sure I could have hiked in those miserable conditions. Am loving these videos of the Ireland Way. Beautiful country. Is summer their rainy season? Blessings to you and your family. Take care. Stay safe. See you next video.

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks Judith. I think it rains LESS in the summer than at other seasons but it still rains a lot. If you notice at the first of the video, the rain was “beading up” on my rain jacket but at the end of the day, my jacket had “wetted out.” Major fail. I had all my gear everywhere in my room drying out. 😁

[@charlesperry1051]

Another great video. I have hiked, and camped, many days in the rain. Hypothermia is not to be ignored. I live near the Great Smoky Mountains and every year dozens of people are rescued in the summer because they hiked up a mountain ill prepared for rain and the associated drop in temperature.

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks Charles. Yeah, I was aware of the causes and symptoms of hypothermia but I just didn’t expect my rain jacket to “wet out.” 😁

[@derekhanson2151]

You are such a trooper for doing these hikes in all different weather conditions, I always enjoy coming along with you and seeing the sights through you. As always have a wonderful day Rev and see ya next time.

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks Derek. When it’s sunny, it’s beautiful. When it’s rainy, it’s miserable. 😁 But you gotta take what the trail gives you. 😁

[@ruthgoebel723]

Thanks, Rev, for taking us along. You made them right decision to get a B&B after that soaking rain.

[@TheHikingRev]

Hey Ruth. Yeah, a wet tent and all its contents is no comparison to a dry B&B. 😁

[@acoeseviagens]

I'm from Brazil and I do like your trip style. I lived in ireland for 18 months and the irish people are very kind and adorable. Have great trips

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks. I’m glad you are enjoying my videos. 😁

[@Thedagoneman]

Good to see that you realize how cold you were. Be safe, love the aerial stuff

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks. Yes, it was very scary. 😁

[@ervinslens]

Outstanding presentation man, your content is always relaxing and somehow inspiring! Love it 🙏🙏

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks. Just like my sermons, I hope you’re not SO relaxed you fall asleep during them. 😂

[@jimbray5882]

Glad you recognized the hypothermia and was able to get warm to continue….Take care Rev!

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks Jim. It was pretty scary. It had rained all day long, my rain jacket had wetted out, my body temp had dropped, I was wet to the bone, and I was shivering. Thank God I found that BnB in time. 😁

[@prayogapetra2541]

God bless you Rev :)

[@TheHikingRev]

Thank you. You’re very kind. 😁

[@olegoathiking1962]

Some more rest equals some more miles. It's fun looking at all the small villages. Have a great Day!

[@TheHikingRev]

Yeah. I passed through an average of about 4 villages a day. 😁

[@paulpeopleperson3594]

Thanks for another chapter of your adventure. Ireland's wet climate is areal challenge the dampness goes through your layers even when the temperature is warm you can get very cold.

[@TheHikingRev]

That is the truth. My rain jacket “wetted out” which is why I’m in the market for a more reliable one. 😁

[@stephenrrose]

Good call on the B&B! Hypothermia is no joke! That from a Paramedic! What a totally different day the next day. That fish and chips place looked interesting...... love the small villages! I might be a little behind, but I'm sticking with you to the end!

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks Stephen. Yeah, I was just short of “panic mode.” 😁

[@pvesely299]

I guess there is a reason that it’s called the Emerald Isle. The rain keeps the plants green. I believe you made the right decision to call it a day when you were soaked to the bone. Thanks for the update

[@TheHikingRev]

Yep. The rain makes everything green. 😁

[@michaelmcphee2930]

Thirty miles is a big day and a fantastic achievement.

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks Michael. Yeah, I’m just glad I lived to tell about it. 😁

[@michaelb1761]

I had a similar day in the Sierra in late August when I got to spend a day hiking in a mixture of rain and hail. I stopped about 1:00 PM with the idea of getting food out of my pack, but I immediately started shivering, teeth chattering. So, I never opened my pack and just kept moving to stay warm. It was a miserable day in a beautiful place.

[@TheHikingRev]

Pretty scary, huh? 😁

[@MikeRyder-ml2mb]

30.2 miles! WOW - you really wanted to stay warm. Hope the days the follow are dry and warmer for you.

[@TheHikingRev]

Me too. Thanks Mike. I figured if I kept moving I would keep warm and not succumb to hypothermia. 😁

[@Tailsnpaws]

That was a bit scary with all that rain and you starting to shiver. Happy you found that BNB when you did. For sure we will be here and coming along with you to end of The Ireland Way and the many others that will follow. PLEASE…be careful, stay safe, be well and keep ’em coming.

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks. Yeah, it was pretty scary. I didn’t give ALL the details in my video. 😁

[@Tailsnpaws]

@@TheHikingRev I thought so when I saw your face just before you turned in for the night. Your eyes said that you fought a good battle…and won.

[@TheHikingRev]

@@Tailsnpaws Yep…that was about it. 😁

[@montegomm]

Hey Rev, I look forward to watching the rest of your Ireland hike. However, just like I told your comprade Marmalade a few minutes ago, I prefer to 'binge' some hiking videos. Anyway, I want to let you know that your video on "Hiking with Old Fuc&#*S) (I', 63) gave me a lot of inspiration (sorry for the #$&^, but you know what I mean), and I have the Pinoti on my list and your did SINCERELY help me complete the PCT (One day I will not be able to do this AND - here I am paraphrasing - So many people wish they were doing this now). I thank you for the inspiration you provide. Anyway if you are going to hike in WI or WI (or MO or IN for that matter) let me know and I will offer any support I can.

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks. I’m glad that I can provide the motivation and inspiration to achieve your goal. 😁

[@rrichardson53]

Superb video. Excellent filming despite the horribly rainy weather. Do they make raingear that keeps you truly dry? Nice you came upon the B&B. Love the scenery , dialogue and music you chose. 🎵

[@TheHikingRev]

Thanks, as always, Rebecca. I was VERY disappointed in the way my rain jacket performed (or failed to perform). I’ll be looking into other rain jacket options, for sure. 😁

[@rrichardson53]

@@TheHikingRev I‘ve yet to come across rain jackets that keep you dry (and those that breathe so it’s like not like wearing a sauna). Let me know if you have success finding one that works

[@TheHikingRev]

@@rrichardson53 I’ll let you know. Let me know if you find a good one. 😁

[@douglasoster7102]

Your walk in the rain just goes to show you that no matter how good your rain gear is it will fail at some point. Did you walk so far because there was no place to stop? Glad you made it.

[@TheHikingRev]

Hey Douglas. I am in the market for a more reliable rain jacket. I had to walk through several forests and wilderness areas. When I did reach a house at the end of the day, I asked to come inside to get out of the rain but the couple were leaving. 😢

[@briancrabtree8479]

Rev, your mileage is astounding, especially at your age, and I say that because I'm about the same age! I can walk high mileage but not every day consecutively and not as far as you, although much of my hiking is on mountain trails in Georgia and I finished the Pinohoti in May 2024. Is that your choice on the Ireland Way or do you have to walk that far to find a place to stay or camp? The 30 mile day in the rain and cold was very stressful for you, I'm sure. Is that how far you had to go to find a warm and dry place to stay?

[@TheHikingRev]

Thank you, Brian. There’s two things that I did on my Ireland Way Thruhike to which I can attribute the high miles. 1. Long hiking hours. There was about 12 hours of sunlight when I hiked the Ireland Way and I hiked for about 12 hours every day. 2. No breaks. I did not stop to take a breakfast, lunch or dinner break. It’s hard to get going again once you stop so I didn’t. On my 30 mile day in the rain, I hiked to stay warm. If I had stopped or slowed down, I probably would’ve went into hypothermia. There is no shortage of Trail towns or villages that you go through on the Ireland Way. 😁

[@randygrebel1539]

Ya, after hiking the Western Way in Ireland, I don't think I'll hike Ireland again. Did the C2C Wainwright and it had a few bad days, but mostly sunny and warm. Lovely county, but the summers there are...well, not really summer.

[@TheHikingRev]

I enjoyed the experience but I’ll have to agree with your description of the trail. 😁

[@lynetetreault3799]

What a day!!! How many stages to go ?

[@TheHikingRev]

Yeah, right? 6 more. 😁

[@frederikhase5500]

Dear Rev, what's the title music of "The Ireland Way"? Thanks

[@TheHikingRev]

“Celtics in Disguise” -Trabant