The Regional Secretary for Natural Resources revealed today that the Pico Mountain was climbed 10 thousand times in 2013. The figures represent an increase of about 30 percent compared to the previous year and justify the reinforced cooperation between the Madalena Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters (AHBVM) in the amount of 25 thousand Euros.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of the protocol, Luís Neto Viveiros stressed the importance of the partnership established between the Regional Government and AHBVM to reinforce the safety of the trail. The government official recalled that in 2013. It enabled, for the first time, the operation of the visitor tracking system in Pico Mountain Nature Reserve (CICLOPE) throughout the year.

For the Regional Secretary, the members of the fire brigade and the "effort required to assure the operation of this service" deserve a word of recognition and "encouragement."

"Your actions, which sometimes go unnoticed, are crucial to the success of this initiative," said Luís Neto Viveiros before the members of Madalena fire brigade.

The Regional Secretariat for Human Resources, through the Regional Directorate for the Environment, is currently conducting consultation process for the acquisition of over 40 GPS tracking units. They will be used by visitors when climbing Pico Mountain, which is highest point in Portugal.

Being one of the most distinctive symbols of the Azores, the Pico Mountain, integrated in Pico Natural Park, is also an area of considerable importance in terms of Biodiversity and Geodiversity. It was classified as Natural Reserve, Special Area of Conservation of Natura 2000 Network and as Geosite of the Azores Geopark.

Every year, thousands of visitors hike the trail that starts at Casa da Montanha (Mountain House) and ends at the top of Pico Mountain. Last year, the Casa da Montanha was visited by 20 thousand people.

The difficulty level of the trail, frequent weather changes and the long periods of reduced visibility add risks to this trail. In this regard, we intended to minimise it by reinforcing the regulations in force and the monitoring system; the latter streamlines the rescue mechanisms during an emergency situation.