Another amazing walking day… we are SO lucky as we were able to walk the Hospitales Route a superb mountain walk above the tree line. Everyone wants to walk the Hospitales Route…however the weather has to cooperate otherwise you won’t see much and/or it can be dangerous.
Perfect sunshine…cool at first 11C, foggy with wind which in my books is totally acceptable shorts weather 🙂.
We walked strongly for 27.7 km over 6.5 hours at an average speed of 4.2 km per hour with a total elevation gain of 986 meters and elevation loss of 702 meters for a total of 1,688 meters combined G/L. It was an exhilarating day and a bit tiring 😮💨
Breakfast was a little sparse to start…however we were able to supplement nicely in the bar area.
The day was incredibly quiet…met a few new pilgrim walkers…one dangerous animal encounter and absolutely superb views. Photos will not do the views justice!
Past walkers we met are Syp…who motored right by us and Patricia (Japanese documentary)
Sometime on the Hospitales we passed Patricia who had stopped to quickly chat. As Paulo pulled away I asked her if she had editing decision making on the documentary. She laughed saying likely no…so I asked her IF she did and IF only one of us could be in the documentary could it be…Patricia cut me off here saying “you want it to be you…right?” How did she guess? 😂
Rounding a corner in a small Pueblo we heard intense barking and saw a very large dog running out of a field towards us. No time for my Packa as two other dogs were also running towards us. Geez we were in big trouble and a little rattled. The lead dog got on the trail with us…we moved slowly away and thankfully that was all guard dog wanted us to do. Phew 😅.
New pilgrim walkers we met today
Christina - Argentina
Constantino - Italy
Miguel - Puerto Rico
Mike - Pennsylvania United States who also has a Gossamer Gear backpack
Clarissa - Colorado United States
The highlight was walking the Hospitales route which was amazing. I have always found walking in the mountains is very special…I become very contemplative as I walk in the mountains.
Today was no different and I always come back to a specific thought “Guy you are one very lucky person…family, friends, health and simply having the opportunity to walk like this!”
However once the Hospitales route was finished the other shoe dropped…I think because the highlight for today was over. Now 9 kms to go, sun is beating down, I am tired, running out out water, one of the worst downhill rocky stretches I have ever done…leads to when is this day going to end?”
Yes that is the how the mental aspect to long distance walking impacts the experience…this happens and it is ok. We made it and currently thoroughly enjoying the Casa Araceli!
So on to tomorrow…short day 20 kms but a wicked long descent that everyone cautions you about.
A few other pictures…
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| Is there anything better than chocolate even if it isn’t dark chocolate! |
Hasta Pronto
Guy
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