Walk Sunday 24 April 2016 Estrella

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This week we had two walks planned, our big end of the month walk and a shorter walk with Hilary. Both walks started off together and offered spectacular views of the snow covered Sierra Nevada mountains.
We met in Cozvijar and then drove to Gúejar Sierra where we met up with the Granada contingent. We continued the drive up the valley to the San Juan car park.
 I had reservations about our newest member of the group, Antonio aged 10, but his mum said he could do the hard walk without drawing a breath.
 We took the group photo at the start of the walk as we were all together,We split up after the photo, the hard group had a full day ahead of them and needed to make good time on the first section of the path. Hilary’s group had time to enjoy the wildflowers and the views in this spectacular valley.   
 I designated the hard walk as a 4 lunch break walk. You should have seen Conchi’s face brighten up at this news, then darken when she realized she only had 2 sandwiches.
After one hour of easy walking we stopped for a short break before the serious climbing started. Most of the altitude is gained in one long ascent up Cuesta de los Presidarios, it may be a tough ascent but the views from the top are unbelievable. The snow covered mountains of Mulhacen and Alcazaba looked to be within touching distance. It was well worth the sweat and tears required to get there. Antonio hadn’t drawn a breath. We stopped at the top for our 2nd lunch.
From here the path is a lot easier, there is still some climbing left but it comes in little sections. After completing the final climb we noticed that it had gone quiet behind us, returning we discovered John in agony, his leg had cramped up, After a magic tablet he was able to make it down to our 3rd picnic spot, down by the river and the start of the return path. Antonio had taken a breath, but only in awe of the beautiful surroundings.
The path now follows the river all the way back to the cars, we stopped at the Mirador for our last break and the last view of the mountains. With only 4.5 km to go, we made rapid progress back to the bar and a well deserved drink. Antonio arrived back looking as fresh as when he had set off seven and half hours earlier. Cees, who went on the easy walk, is ashamed of himself as he has been out walked by a 10 year old.
We walked 22.5 km, climbed 986 metres.

Hilary’s group walked 9.2 km and climbed 250 metres

Comments

Kees said…
Not only ashamed of myself but very, very proud of Antonio he did it as a Hero!
12:23 am
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