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- Aug 17, 2023, 10:50am
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 456 m
- SpainAsturiasCabralesCamarmeña43°15’14” N 4°51’48” W
The Cares Gorge - make like a goat!
August 17, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Phew! I thought we'd done all the hard stuff! There hasn't really been a day when I haven't been physically challenged, although yesterday was the least challenging. But today!!!
It was described as a 24km walk with 300 metres of ascent and descent. What they forgot to say was that that ascent and descent happens pretty much at the beginning (and so the end) of the walk!
A 30 minute minibus journey took us to Poncebos, where we started the ascent. Problem was, so did the world and its dog🙄 - quite literally, poor dogs! So the near enough 300 metres of ascent took about 50 continuous minutes. You couldn't stop because the path was pretty narrow and to stop would've caused a traffic jam, and the ground was made up of rocks - both fixed and moveable! I'm pretty pleased that I was able to do this - it was heart-pounding stuff (at my peak my heart was beating at 144bpm) - so it was a welcome change to walk on some flat ground!
The path was only about 1 metre wide - sometimes wider, sometimes narrower - and 12 kms long in all, between Poncebos and Cain. The drop to the side was steep and precipitous and, don't forget, this was 2 way traffic🤪🙄😂.
There were quite a few mountain goats bimbling around, and they liked to lick the salt from your legs😆.
So, 12km in and we reached Cain, where we stopped for lunch. But... an hour later, we were on our way back!
There were some ups and downs, but nothing compared to the approx 300m descent back into Poncebos. That was pure hell 😫😖😂. There were places where I couldn't even find steps for my feet (obviously I did, cos I'm here) but it just seemed to go on forever.
But, 6 hours walking today and a good 24kms, and here I am, in bed, looking forward to a good night's exhausted sleep!
It was a truly spectacular day, but this old nanny goat has had enough😂😂😂
The first photo is of our group, and a vid of a flying Griffin vulture!Read more
Traveler Ooof, Pam.. what a terrifying route today - and who knew you were going to have to impersonate a mountain goat?! Amazing video! Sleep well, ready for what tomorrow’s going to bring…🥴😘
Traveler Amazing scenery... I'm not good with mountain heights... I'm not sure I could have joined you, but the photos of the scenery is spectacular.
Traveler Ooh sounds, terrifying Pam and a bit like walking up Snowden these days, people queue now to reach the summit post Covid. I couldn't have done it but once you're there you have little choice I suppose. But having to return the same way having battled it once, I can imagine what was going on in your head. 😳Well done , what an achievement .You should be proud.❤💛💚💙
Traveler You know what goes on in my head very well!😂😂😂
Traveler I do Pam 😂😂
Traveler You really know how to enjoy yourself Pam!!!!!