"Pico Mountain (2351 m) - Winter Ascent" Ilha do Pico by Miguel_M

Azores are a group of 9 islands formed by volcanos a thousands years ago, located in the middle of Atlantic Ocean. Pico island is in the central group and the peak is at 2351 meters high with 1100 meter to climb from last acessible point by car. Its a hike of 2h45min in generally, easy to climb, just follow the signs. In winter may be a little snow and ice and the use of crampons will be usefull. In the top, if the whether is clear, its possible to see 5 of 9 islands of Azores.

Going up to the summit

There are some routes to the summit of the mountain, but only one is marked with signs all the way up. That route is very near the Madalena village, about 15 minutes to get to the mountain by car. Its possible to climb from other route, but its needeed a guide and to start form another village. The normal route starts from 1200 m and is always up to the summit, with 4700 meters long, to climb safe I started early morning, at 8:30 more or less.
Most of people who have good training gets to the top in 2h45min. In the begining of the climb, after 30 minutes of hike I get to a place where is a small cave, very interesting. Then the route will get harder as you will get up, not hard to climb but is a slow progression, some times I needed to use my both hands. As the mountain is formed by an old volcano its possible to see in the route some lava tubes and other great rock formations. After 2:50 hours of climb its all done, I reach the crater and then to the summit. The time I waste to reach the top were the same time needed to get down, its 4700 meters to descent in slow progression, so as the weather were windy we didn't stayed much time in the top. In total is 9400 m to reach the top and to get to the start point.
In winter the route have snow and ice and the use of ice tools, such as crampons is very useful. Most of times just a few people climb it in winter.

Climbing last meters

In this picture I'm almost in the top of the mountain, climbing the small peak in the center of the crater. Just a few more steps to reach the highest point of Portugal!

• Cons:Watch the forecast, if the weather is bad all flights will be cancelled.
• In a nutshell:Great Mountain in the middle of Atlantic Ocean!