Tag: Stage 27

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October 4 & 5: Stages Twenty-seven & Twenty-eight: Rabanal del Camino to Ponferrada

Going up the mountain on October 4 was a cold and rainy trek, but down below the next day was a perfect walking day. Temps were in the lower mid-50s, little wind, and no rain.

Cruz de Ferro – History – The highest altitude on the Camino (1,505 meters/4,938 feet). Stands on an ancient ritual site that dates back as far as 2,500 years. Considered the most ancient monument of the Camino. May have been a crossroads veneration site for Iron Age Celts and then the Romans, each leaving a rock on this high point for their own gods. Today, leaving a stone here is a significant rite of passage (Beebe)

The fellow in the colorful suit was there for our safety. I imagine falls down that pile of rocks aren’t unusual.
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October 4: Stage Twenty-seven: Rabinal to El Acebo

This is a short stage because I know how long it took me to go down that steep, rocky descent from Cruz de Ferro. It’s one of the more dangerous descents – very steep with rolling rocks and slate outcrops. I’ve managed several this trip without a mishap: down the mountain in the Pyrenees, the descent into Zuburi, and the descent from Alto de Perron, but I think I’ll skip this one this time. Just don’t have a good feeling about it. I’ll walk up the mountain to Cruz de Ferro – the highest point on the Camino – and taxi past the descent.