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Picos de Europa Traverse

Day 2 - Monday 3rd September 2018

Pan de Carmen to Refugio de Vegarredonda & Pico Cotalba (2,026m)

 

Garmin Data

Distance Time Elevation in meters

Km		 Elapsed
Hrs-Mins		 Gain Loss Min Max
14.9 7H37 1,126 723 1,054 1,974

 

   
 

 

 

Starting at an elevation of approximately 1,100 m, the first part of our
climb was to Refugio de Vegarredonda at 1,470m

Collection by 4X4 mini buses

No time to stop, but we get a fleeting view of the Basilica at Covodonga
on the way up to the Lakes (2016 photo)

On the way up to Lake Enol

Another fleeting glimpse of the Basilica as we gain height

Lake Enol

Pan de Carmen. Stretching legs, adjusting straps, ready for off!

L to R: Rosana, Clair, Emmet, Lisa, Roland, Nick, Michael, Tove,Stuart, Julian, Mike,
Anna, Fiona, Graham and Yolanda

And we are off!

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Aconitum napellus, an extremely toxic plant. It contains several poisonous compounds, including enough
cardiac poison that it was used on spears and arrows for hunting and battle in ancient times

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La Rondiella

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This Asturian Red cow appears to be guarding the way to Pico Cotalba (2,026 m) in the background

Our first sight of Refugio Vegarredonda, 1,470 m

Left to Jou Santu, Fuente Prieta (Pico Jou de la Fuente 1,525m),
and right to Refugio de Vegarredonda

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Mike taking the opportunity to fill up with water from the spring. Leaving our rucksacks at the Refugio, we set off on the next section to Mirador de Ordiales and Pico Cotalba. We left at 12-45 hrs, and were back at the refuge by 18-00 hrs.

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View of Pico Cotalba ahead

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Yolanda and Nick

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Lunch at Mirador de Ordiales. Although the cloud had come in and had restricted the view
to the west, the place was atmospheric due to the cloud inversion

The tomb of Don Pedro Pidal, who has rested at this priviledge position since 1949.
2018 is the Centenary of the establishment of the Picos de Europa National Park
(Photo: Graham Illing)

(Photo: Graham Illing)

(Photo: Graham Illing)

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Yolanda

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Squeezing through a narrow passage en route to Pico Cotalba

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Peña Beza (1,958 m) south to south-west of Pico Cotalba

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Lisa admiring the view

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Back though the narrow section on the way down

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The Alpine cow bell - enjoyable - for a while!

Back to the Refugio. The Refugio uses horses to bring up supplies from Pan de Carmen

 

Refugio de Vegarredonda

The Refugio is located in the sheepfold of the same name, in the Western Massif at an altitude of approximately 1470 m. It was constructed in 1987, although previously there was a small refuge located a little higher than the current one, and that served as a Polvorín during the Spanish Civil War. It currently consists of two buildings with a total capacity of 58 beds. The refuge belongs to the Principality of Asturias and is managed by the Federation of Mountaineering of the Principality (FEMPA).

The Refugio has two flush toilets and two showers (one working!) in the main building as well as a sizeable dining room.

 

  

 

We had the smaller building to ourselves.

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I had the lower bunk on the right... closest to the door and the hazardous journey
to the loo in the middle of the night!

The long wait for dinner L to R: Anna, Lisa, Stuart, Julian and Mike

Soup, followed by a meat stew

A few glasses of wine and the exertions of the day were forgotten

Then to bed. It could have been a good nights sleep, but unfortunately a cow with an alpine cow-bell positioned itself not 5 yards away from our dormitory and the bell clattered non stop as it chewed the cud all night. "Bovine Water-Boarding" declared Clair and Emmet as we discussed the lack of sleep the following morning.