Mark Mason is a journalism student from the University of Oregon who is studying abroad in Oviedo during the Fall 2012 term.   He comes well recommended to the program (his sister studied abroad here for an academic year) and is keeping family and friends abreast of his adventures through his blog:  Spanglish.   Mark has graciously accepted to be our program in-house reporter and will contribute articles to our website  from time to time this term.  Here he offers us an account of  a memorable hike to the Mirador de Ordiales, in the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park. 

The students from Wendy Walker’s Ecotourism and Protected Parks and Protected Areas class gathered around as we waited for 8:30 am bus to pick us up. It was a dark and chilly morning that was only intensified as the waiting ensued. Spanish time was working against us for the first time. While we prepared mentally and physically for a hike to the Picos de Europa, it was safe to say that we all felt uneasy about the other groups’ attire waiting with us.

We watched groups of other students and faculty members walk by us as we exchanged odd looks. We may have been used to odd looks by now but these exchanges were for obvious reasons. We from the Northwest were dramatically under-dressed. We noticed person after person wearing snow pants, gloves, carbon-fiber walking canes, and backpacks filled with survivable amounts of water.

Looking around at the seriousness of the attire, it only made it worse with our members wearing tennis shoes, yoga pants or running shorts, light sweaters, and carrying water bottles. Regardless, we decided that we would hope for the best since we prepared for the anything but the worst.

Our bus ride to the mountains was still early in the morning, so darkness and fog were prevalent. As we reached the hills we left the fog below us and watched it loom over the town and the bottoms of the valleys. We thought were driving right to the top with how high up we were, but eventually they dropped us off and the journey began.

Luckily, the clouds parted when we parted from the bus, and the sun decided to play nice for a day and show its face. The entire hike was made epically possible by the sun. I thank God for giving us a beautiful day to experience the most epic thing I have ever done.

The hike was beautiful. The mountains boasted peaks with snow and ranges that seemed impossible to end. Everywhere we looked was nature in its most massive and elegant form. The journey was a hike and half, and thanks to the great weather and energetic people, we managed to venture a bit further to catch a glimpse from the top.

There are few things more humbling than to being engulfed in the epic mountains and pastures with jaw dropping views. Time stood still as we encountered the trails paved with natural white stone and jagged rock.

We walked on trails that helped preserve and sustain the meadows and the pastures that were home to many cattle (for the time being). Although there were many occasions on the way down where some of the group took short-cuts to give our legs a break. Aside from that, I wish that there would have been informational aspect to where we were. Many of us were so caught up in the scenery, we didn’t think to ask the guides about the history of the Picos, or other interesting facts that there may have been.

In all, we had the time of our lives, and I say that without a shred of exaggeration. Rebecca Langham expresses her agreement stating, “The Picos de Europa hike was hands down the most beautiful hike I’ve been on in my life. It’s not anything like how you picture Spain, but it is absolutely stunning.”

Another student had a similar experience with the trek. “Picos de Europa was one of the toughest things I have done but definitely one of the most worthwhile.” Said Rebecca Kistler from Texas.

In my personal opinion, I thought the tour lacked some key components to classify it as ecotourism. Luckily, one of the members in our group, yet outside the class, had a different view as she stopped to rest and enjoy the silence. She writes and reflects on her story here:

“Saw a line of cows being driven down the mountain trail, light brown cows against the gray stone. They continued down until I was in the middle of them. Started hiking back down with 3 other Spaniards, one of which spoke enough English to let me know if I needed to know anything important, a nice touch. Continued down the meadow trail, in and out of the cows as the valley narrowed from a quarter mile wide, to the eventual 5 foot wide “road”. The cow numbers and bells increased until there were about 50. We hikers occasionally became “posts”, with our arms outstretched as we tried to help the three 70-year old herders on their final drive to get the cows down the mountain meadows to be loaded into trucks and taken back to their barns. Two more hours of hiking bliss. Sorry Paris, sorry Rome. Best.Day.Ever goes to hiking in Spain amongst the cows with their cowbells in mountain meadows.”.. by Ann Walker

Although we had a different path from Ann, it was nice to know someone had the opportunity to find an eco-tour. The combination of: nature, culture, a small but considerable service, the occasional interaction, and the payment for transportation, adds up to key components from which ecotourism is based from. Yet it would have been helpful if the students had the opportunity to engage with the same events as Ann.

No one had to say a word but we knew we had stumbled upon a life changing event that none of us will forget. Aside from our tired and sore legs and lungs, the group was pleased and had nothing but astounding things to say from the hike. Days later, when the group was asked about where our favorite place in Asturias was, many students chose Picos de Europa, as we all smiled and understood that we shared a memory that will never cease to fade.

 

“Sorry Paris, sorry Rome. Best.Day.Ever goes to hiking in Spain amongst the cows with their cowbells in mountain meadows.”.. by Ann Walker