Supporting mountain sports for young people

We like to talk about mountain sports, another year the Youth Mountain School of the Sports Federation of Castilla La Mancha as part of its annual calendar of activities, it has organized a camp in Asturias between June 30 and July 5.

The group was composed of 17 children between 12 and 17 years old from Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Toledo. The activities that were carried out were very varied: hiking in high mountains, climbing on long roads, sport climbing, orienteering, caves, swimming...

The first day was dedicated to climbing to the refuge of the Picu Uriello (Bulnes Orange Tree) to approach the wall and the next day climb to the top of this emblematic peak with a group of children. This peak is part of the history of classic national mountaineering, and it was the objective as guides to be able to offer the opportunity to some children with more climbing experience, to breathe the romance that this mountain gives off when climbing it, and to be able to see with their own eyes the place where historic climbs such as those of the climbers Rábada and Navarro, among others, have been fought.

Another group dedicated the day to hiking in high mountains and could go up to Torre Párdida (2600 meters) and be able to enjoy the immense and spectacular views offered by this summit.

The next day, rest and visit the natural cave of Cobijeru, near the town of Buelna. A cave-cave of about 300 meters with access to a cave to the sea that is impressive. There you could observe the whimsical formations that form due to the erosion of the Cantabrian Sea on sea cliffs and even crustaceans (barnacles) that grow on rocks beaten by the waves.

In the afternoon we went to visit Cuevas del Mar, a very beautiful climbing area close to the sea, where children were able to climb some of the most beautiful climbing lines in this area.

We moved to Quiros, Mecca of Asturian sport climbing where we spent three days of fanatical and intense climbing activity. The activities carried out included multi-length road climbing, sport climbing and self-insured rappelling and rope-folding workshops. In this climbing school we were able to perfect the route technique and technique of various lengths, taking advantage of course, some time to observe the birds of prey existing in the area such as European Culebrera, Caulized Eagle, Mouse-winged Vulture, Griffon Vulture...

We also did an orientation race in Villaorille, a very wild area where we could observe deer and most spectacularly, the observation of footprints and excrement of our largest carnivorous mammal, the brown bear, all surrounded by oaks, chestnuts, beeches, birches and yews.

Finally, an afternoon of rest that we dedicated to giving a canoe ride through the Valmurio reservoir, cool off with a swim and contemplate some species of water birds.

Canoe activitiesA great experience, which has been made possible thanks to the trust placed by parents in the coaches, the Sports Federation of Castilla La Mancha, and Environmental Ideas for their financial support by collaborating with the purchase of technical t-shirts that children have been able to enjoy this year.