The Regional Director for Youth climbed Pico Mountain in the context of an initiative held under the festival promoted by MiratecArts association that included the "Climb Every Mountain" programme.
 
Lúcio Rodrigues highlighted the initiative as he considered to be "a way of raising the awareness of young people to overcome themselves and overcome challenges."
 
The ascent to Portugal's highest point included a bagpipe concert performed by Ross OC Jennings, "the first piper," one of the world's best-known pipers who has played in more than 60 countries.
 
This Scottish musician is trying to win the Guinness world record for playing bagpipes in the largest number of venues in the world, having now made his debut in the Azores. He was accompanied by Portuguese musician known as "Gaitamaker," Gonçalo Cruz, from Porto as well as by several members of Urro das Marés group from São Miguel Island.
 
The Regional Director for Youth also highlighted the safety conditions provided by "Casa da Montanha" (Mountains House), a mandatory stop for those who want to climb the mountain and complement this experience. It also provides information about the geology, biology, history and climate of the Azores.
 
For Lúcio Rodrigues, these conditions "have clearly contributed to the significant growth in the number of people climbing Pico Mountain, registering more than 15,500 ascents last year."