Day 30: To O’Cebrerio

Most would say, the second most difficult part of the Camino Francés is the hike up to O’Cebreiro. I would agree. However, if the weather cooperates it is beautiful at the top. My morning started off under an overcast sky and sure enough, after a while, the rain started falling and the poncho came out. Before then I was able to take a few photos in La Portela de Valcarce and Vega de Valcarce where I had coffee and breakfast. Then the rain came shortly before the real climb started to O’Cebreiro. Most of the climb itself was on a steep muddy, rocky path punctuated by little poobombs the horses (that some folks use for the climb) had left behind. There really are no photos of that section because my hands were firmly attached to my hiking poles and my eyes were watching where I needed to step.
At one point near the top there was a sweet Spanish lady that had been collecting these really pretty orange mushrooms. The rain stopped and a few minutes later we officially entered Galicia.
O’Cebriero turned out to be a really cute vibrant (tourist) town. It was especially rewarding because I kept running into various “pilgrim family” members that I had not seen in days or weeks. Because of various factors you meet folks and walk with them, and you may end up together for a day or more and then may or may not see them again for days, weeks or ever. It’s always nice when you do.
Tomorrow I’m off to Triacastela (down the other side of the mountain).Baca lagi