Asturias and Picos de Europa, Spain

SOTA summit: Cabeza de Mesa https://sotl.as/summits/EA1/AT-052

Activation Date: July 11, 2023

Unique: Yes, peak number 276

Call sign used: EA/M0SNA/P

Portable operation: Yes

Radios: Yeasu 857D

Antennas: SOTABeams 20/40 bandhopper

Band/Modes used: 20m and 40m voice

Operating highlights:

• Spectacular views
• EA2 – new association for me

Pack weight: Approximately 25 lbs

Drive: Park in Sotres

Hike:  ~8.3 miles R/T with ~2,800 ft ascent. 

Hike and AZ profile:

• Long, fairly easy to follow trail but steep at times
• Very few other hikers
• Large, no trees
• Rocks etc to help secure mast

Recommend: Yes but travel light

Solo operation: All alone

Cell Coverage: Good cell coverage 

Photos: Copyright Paul Gacek 2024

Out of the corner of my eye I’ve watched his movie. It didn’t really matter that I couldn’t hear anything as it was in Spanish, set during the Spanish Civil War and actually looked quite good. Boredom had me restless and I rifled through the Iberian in flight magazine that like so many has airport maps, pictures of unbelievable cuisine and something that absolutely caught my eye. Asturias; mountains, coast line, royal palaces and of course cuisine. I’m sold.

Interrupted by Covid and years later, I find myself driving toward what I thought would be a great first Spanish peak. The barrier was unmistakable and the bright neon lights declaring no entry without reservation was not what I wanted to see this early AM.

“Do you speak English?”, “Yes” she replies telling me that twenty minutes earlier, I could have driven in but now and without any reservation I’m out of luck. Come back tomorrow but that isn’t really my plan as I have this not so carefully planned trip to climb peaks, see Vitoria’s (1813) geography and then enjoy Bilbao and aspects of the Basque Country.

The idea of speeding is silly and really isn’t an option. The mountain roads are very narrow, climb relentless and wind and wind around a geologic marvel that is the Picos de Europa National Park. It’s July and while not a big destination for foreigners, it’s super popular with Spanish and I’m convinced my late arrival will yield no parking spot and all in all I’m skunked.

The downside to parking in Sotres is the 500 ft decent to then start a 2,200ft ascent but I have a space and walk down the paved road trying hard to determine which peak is mine.

The car pulls up next to me and the window winds down. “Sorry, I don’t speak Spanish” is my reply to her. “Would you like a ride?”. Thinking wasn’t required and I blurted out “yes!!”. Pilling in the back they inquire where I have been. The story of mountain top radio needs a little explanation. The three young hikers were very curious about my peak and I surmised my paltry 8 miles and almost 3,000ft was just a warm up for them. Nevertheless, this Basque Country trio are charming and pretty much take me right to my car. Absolutely a Godsend as I was knackered.

Thirty euros buys me all I can eat at the hotel for dinner and then I discover it includes all you can drink….wine, beer….

Like most Brits, I love Spain, I really do. The south is a big attraction with its warm weather, beaches and sometimes Fish and Chips. In stark contrast, the Atlantic Coast of Spain is green, wet and a place less trodden. It’s been a desire of mine to hike/drive west along the Pyrenees and then along the Atlantic coast to that little know Napoleonic debacle that was the evacuation via Corunna (1809). Another day, sooner than later.