Today we walked 16.1 miles (25.9 km) and climbed 1,840 feet (560 m) of elevation in 8 hours with breaks.

We made it to the top of the first mountain for this year! We’d actually planned to only go part of the way and finish in Rabanal, at the base of the mountain, and then climb the rest of the way to the top tomorrow morning before starting the descent down the other side. But we’d heard that it was better to go all the way up in one day because the next day coming down is just as hard if not harder. We’re all glad we did it because the last several miles getting to the top just kept getting steeper and steeper (and hotter and hotter), and now we’re done with that part and don’t have to deal with it tomorrow.

Another perfect weather day, and we’re definitely making use of the sunscreen in the afternoons. Bright blue skies, puffy clouds, and not a drop of rain in sight!

Here are the photos for today, starting in Astorga, as all of us peregrinos made our way out of town as everyone else was still sleeping.