Cerro de Gallo

In the States, hiking Cerro de Gallo, 1740 meters or about 5700 feet and accessed via Chiaucingo, a 15 minute drive from Olinalá, would require all the latest gear in outdoor clothing, hiking shoes, energy snacks and all the fashionable hiking accessories. In Zacango, it requires the nearest pair of shoes that you own, be it flip-flops or jelly shoes, whatever you felt like putting on when you woke up in the morning, hotdogs and lots of candy.

Yesterday I played a rousing game of football with the kids who are part of the children’s summer program that Bruce and Jaime are leading in Zacango. Today I climbed a mountain with a group of ten excited children, ranging from 5 to 15 years old, and a handful of adults. By 9am, we began our assent, which we soon found out was no Sunday afternoon walk in the park.

The highest peak on the left was our goal.

Plenty of energy at the beginning.

We walked by farmers' fields and animals.

Beautiful, lush green scenery.

Again, our goal was the far left peak.

We followed the ridge to reach the top.

A bit deceiving that this was only the first of three or four peaks that we had to climb to reach the absolute top.

Three hours later, including several sugar shock dips into the candy bag, we achieved our goal. I was super impressed with the children who taught me all about the flora on the mountain. It is no secret that I am the least inclined to be able to identify plants, but the knowledge that these young people had truly surpassed expectation. Growing up in the campo means that the children are well aware of their surroundings and without a complaint on a fatiguing hike in the sun.

The view from the top.

Elvira and Gloria started a fire with damp firewood in under 10 minutes. Impressive. Those with patience and interest roasted hot dogs.

An impressive group at the top of Cerro de Gallo.

Celebrating our return.

Please note the hiking gear, especially the footwear. Elvira, left, relieved the mountain of numerous plants and even scrap metal for her next creative venture. The future benefits of carrying all that extra weight most of the way up and all the way down did not seem worth it to me.

Resting after a long, but fun hike to Cerro de Gallo.

I have great memories sharing this experience with the children from Zacango, and a physical reminder for the coming week with red shoulders and face, thanks to a fierce afternoon sun.