Yesterday was an 18 kilometer (11.25 mile) hike. I deliberately planned for a little bit of a moderate day mileage wise to account for two factors: the heat (it was near 100 yesterday), and the steep uphill that was to take place during the last 7 kilometers (4+ miles) of the hike. I took frequent long breaks, drank lots of water, and didn’t push the pace.

I ended in O Cebreiro a little before 9 last night. With the elevation increase of 2300 feet during the last 4 miles, I was absolutely spent and ready for a rest day today in this charming little village where there’s not much to do except gaze out in wonder at the mountains.