Climbing Lucero

It's felt a bit like the Gods have been beating me up with the weather this week. I needed a high mountain fix and the elements have just not been right. Apparently, it's the worst spell of weather they've had here in a long while. Although the land certainly needs the rain, after the wettest winter back home for years, I sure didn't need any more myself.

On a very significant day for me, and the last of our holiday here, they decided to give us a break and bless me in particular with absolutely perfect conditions for mountain walking and running: intensely clear blue skies with cool air temperatures but sunshine which warmed the skin nonetheless. I had a mind to climb Lucero from Competa, the town where we've been staying, and it was a huge relief to wake up for the first time on this trip to the sight of the sun rising over the mountains. I felt a twinge of excitement I've not experienced in a long while.

It was the gift of a day with no responsibility other than to put one foot in front of the other, map in hand, a mountain to climb, testing only my fitness and resolve. I absolutely adore the freedom of setting off on my own into new territory with a whole day ahead of me. I'm not able to travel as fast and as far as I once did, but I was happy enough to be able to cover about 20 miles of the most stunningly beautiful trail and bag my mountain!

And what a mountain. Lucero is the jewel in the crown of this area, not the highest point (although certainly high enough), but a classic diamond shaped peak. It feels like a big mountain when you approach it and it sure feels big when you're standing on the summit, especially with the dusting of snow it enjoyed today. It was a literally breathtaking moment when I got my first full view upon reaching the top of the col that you can see towards the top right of the photograph. This day must rank right up there as one of my most enjoyable ever days spent in the mountains. 

I was out for a total of 8 hours, with quite a few stops for photography and to simply soak up the scenery. I met just three pairs of people in all that time, an English ex-pat couple just outside Competa, a young English couple at Puerto Blanquillo, and a local couple on the top of Lucero. A little different from the Lake District! I was at first rather disappointed to have to share my mountain with anybody, but it was fun to chat briefly and it turned out that they actually took part in the carnival procession we stumbled upon a few days ago. It's a small world here. 

Strangely, the cold I felt coming on didn't develop today. My camera, which was invariably refusing to open yesterday without a lot of teasing and pulling and cursing, behaved itself impeccably. I can't really explain either of those things. I've felt like a completely different person. Finally, many grateful thanks to TJ for indulging my needs today, for her kindness and patience and support, and for meeting me back at the square to buy me the best beer I've had in a very long while. It was, all in all, a great way to celebrate my 60th birthday. It's quite a shock to see that number in black and white. I don't think I really believe it!