Sunrise-trek in Mexico

Story 13/21: Hiking in highlands of Nuevo León

Sunrise-trek in Mexico

Story 13/21: Hiking in highlands of Nuevo León

September, 1997

Light-beams of a small car are cutting the semi-thin night air of Nuevo León. It is autumn 1997. Four young men in their mid-twenties are singing to Mexican rap flowing from the loudspeakers. Studies in “el TEC de Monterey” are set behind and the euphoria of approaching weekend is evident.

After a consistent climb on highway over rocky hills these four mousquetaires dismount their transport and soon find themselves in front of a delicious Mexican dinner. The meal, talking with the parents of our host and final schedules for tomorrow’s adventure prepares the tired bunch to a good night sleep.

Plan for this September Saturday is to follow a path to a peak nearby and to stay overnight in a hut – “el refugio”. Summers are dry here, but usual autumn rains give the resilient plants of highlands the source of life they require. The path lingers through cliffs and piles of rocks. Occasionally it is evident, that we are crossing empty river beds.

We are not expecting flush floods, but snakes could be a risk. As both people and snakes dislike each other, this lively crew keeps occasionally thumping their feet and making extra noise to keep these squirming creatures apart. The Finnish member of the party is especially motivated on this, as he is only equipped with running shoes, not hiking-boots like the locals.

Sun tan lotion is in good use as are the water bottles. At places there is no wind and warm stones are glowing with the heat. No wonder couple of snakes and some colourful insects are spotted along the hike.

Reaching the hut in the evening is a real delight. Mild breeze cools the air and vegetation attracts some moisture in the darkening hours. The refugio is a low un-isolated hut built of weathered timber and corrugated iron. As there is no chimney, fire cannot be done inside.

Tired of walking and happy on “sleeping high” these eager mountaineers fall asleep early – to be ready to see the sun rising over the lower peaks in the morning. “Man of North” becomes man of cold as he did not bring Nordic clothes to the “tropics” and he confused cold Finnish Summers to normal cold desert highland nights. One fleece, a 200-liter trash bag, a backpack and a thin aluminium foil are not enough in a tin hut.

So, the night is restless – rubbing the skin, pumping the muscles to keep warm.  The edges between sleep and awake become vague. Did he or did he not hear coyotes call in the chilly night. Not sure. But what is sure, the sunrise over the mountains below was worth the climb. Cliffs are painted with pastel and beams of sun bear warmth since the day-break.

Over the morning tea it is good to cherish the moment and to plan for next adventures – and a sleeping bag from home to be shipped to Mexico, too.

Some background data:

Wildlife:

Coyotes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coyote

Coyotes and wolves: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coyote#Range

Population growth:

Population of Nuevo León: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuevo_León#Population

Spanish flu: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu

Maquiladora: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maquiladora

Climate change:

Local climate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuevo_León#Climate

Questions – see links above, books, Internet or digital media for answers:

1. Coyotes. If the nightly howler was real, it was most likely Lower Rio Grande coyote. Encounters with people is not always beneficial to wildlife. For example, buffaloes suffered from expansion of white men in wild west – close to extinction. Coyotes on the other hand seem to have benefited, as their range has grown larger in past 150 years in North America. Can you think of reasons for this. Consider:

– number of wolves (human and wolves are threats to coyotes)

– farming and livestock (chicken and sheep)

– urbanisation

– climate change

2. Population growth. Mexico City was the largest city in the World in the 1990’s. Living there 1998 and returning 2003 the fast growth was obvious in for example in the worsened crowdedness of metro in rush hour. 

Population has grown fast over the past 120 years also elsewhere in Mexico. Study the development of the population of Nuevo León, a northern state in highlands narrowly bordering to Texas, USA.

2a. 1910-1921 is the only period, when the population did not increase. There is one global reason for that. What could that be? It probably has to do with the census being one year late, too.

2b. Why growth? Nuevo León is quite industrialised state. Can you think of reasons to the two-digit growth in population 1930-1995? Consider: development of fertilisers, industrialisation, urbanisation, education.

3. Local climate change: Even though climate changes globally, it happens differently locally. Nuevo León is between different micro-climates. Consider how would local climate change if there would be:

– stronger storms on the Gulf of Mexico and heavier rainfalls at the wet season (August to September)

– longer than usual draughts in the neighbouring Chihuahuan desert

– even hotter summers – in a row

– blizzards from the north (February 2021 North American winter storm)

4. Discuss. Your view: What thoughts did rise in your mind having read the story, browsing through the background material and answering to the three questions above? Can you see links between the three topics handled in questions above? Discuss with your pair.

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