Moncayo

I slept in Tarazona, which is 10km away from the Moncayo mountain. A beautiful view woke me up early in the morning. I had to go out and see the Moncayo mountain range, which peaks were covered under snow.

It looks great from this old town with hundreds of years old buildings and an amazing history.

I took taxi to San Martin de la Virgen del Moncayo.

Busses run only a few times a day during the winter months. Such a warm day and the flowers on fruit trees made me feel the enjoyable views even more. Spring was good time to travel in Spain.

I had to walk two hours on an tarmac road, which was not a pleasure. All that noise and fumes from cars

made me feel sick. When I came back I had better luck, there was an old road for walkers between Agramonte and San Martin de la Virgen del Moncayo.

My legs were still ok, but it would take some effort from me later on, also the hard road.

I came to a big parking place after two hours.

There was a shelter made of concrete and stones.

After a meal I followed a path towards north west, coming back to road and finally disappearing into

old forest road at the very east side of Moncayo range. Trees huge pine trees and views on other mountains. I started to climb up roughly at the east side of the Lobera mountain, following a river of stones. Stabile stones, not like in Sierra Nevada

in Andalucia. It was easy to go up, just doing a minimum climbing on the group of cliffs. Sun gave me some trouble, reflecting from snow. Sunglasses, well I put a piece of cloth on my eyes ! A fallen direction sign. I lifted it up and supported it with stones. It would show the way for climbers again. Snow was soft after sun had melted it all morning. On top of the Lobera mountain, 2227 meters ! Nice views, but a bit hazy surroundings at the horizone. I continued towards west where the highest peak was, going over the second peak of this range easily. Wind was harder now, but it only reminded me, that something may happen if I do not make good decissions. Wind was always a thread to me when on mountains. Going through snow. I was on the top of Moncayo very soon. Eagles, fantastic ! I had climbed the three peaks easily. I decided to go down the north side, which was a bit like a mountain face because of the icy snow made it difficult to descend down. I managed to go through with help of tripod. It worked like a nail...

...well looks I figured out something new again !

Icy snow, maybe soft later on. It took me three hours to descend almost straight down to San Martin de la Virgen del Moncayo. Some forest yes !