Sunday morning route with similar characteristics to the Alto Sil. Covered much of the same ground as 2 weeks ago but hoped to add a proper peak to the circuit. Took with me a tangerine, a cereal bar, a bag of bilberries and a stash of jelly bebies. Didn’t need to take water as there are several springs on the way.
Set out from Toral del Merayo at 8.
Ran up the hill to Ozuela. Ozuela hangs off the hillside like some Tibetan village.
I’m using a lot of imagination of course.
Turned right at the old schoolhouse (now abandoned) and ran up the cart track to Santa Lucia (also long abandoned). Pushed on above the church (technically not yet abandoned as it sometimes provides Holy refuge to a herd of goats) and took a path to the top of the valley. First drink at the waterfall after approximately an hour and a half. Mmmmmm. More fresh water at the picnic site just below Campo de las Danzas.
Here there is snow, but considerably less than 2 weeks ago.
Followed the final hairpins of the road up to the pass, although the actual road dies in a muddy meadow.
Right to Ferradillo or left to La Guiana (1850m) ? I take a left.
La Guiana (or La Aquiana) is the nearest mountain to Ponferrada. It’s an easy climb, especially in Summer. You can get up the dirt track in a sturdy car. 20 years ago I summitted it on a racing bike. Getting up here in Winter can be a tad tiresome though.
Ever had that sinking feeling? The snow lingers longest in the shade of the pine plantations. Ended up sinking up to my knees on the flatter sections. Progress was slow and laborious.
On the final section (500m of firebreak) I met a man who was sliding along on snow rackets. I took to a thin ribbon of debris to the left and found the going easier.
On the top there is a crumbling hermitage and an observation tower which is used to look out for forest fires in Summer.
Vast sections of the Montes Aquilianos are still snow-covered, especially on the north facing flanks. The views all around are always spectacular but when adorned by layers of thick snow, even more so.
https://picasaweb.google.com/bierzobaggie/LaAquiana
Ran comfortably back down the firebreak, the icy crust just about taking my weight. A slow trudge followed to Ferradillo and then the familiar descent to Rimor and back to the car at Toral.
Total time 5 hours 55 minutes.
Distance : no idea.
Legs fine, ankles fine, achilles well-behaved, left knee tender, mild backache ....there’s always something eh?
