Hundreds hike ‘A’ mountain for Our Lady of Guadalupe fiesta

Hundreds hiked up ‘A’ mountain Sunday for the Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The sacred pilgrimage is held once a year in Las Cruces.

People from across the region make the 6 mile journey from the village of Tortugas all the way up ‘A’ mountain. For many, like the Ortiz family, it’s a tradition that can’t be broken.

“Margarito is my son. He was a disabled baby,” Yuriana Ortiz said. She and 25 other family members do the pilgrimage every year in memory of her late son.

“He was only supposed to be here for 2 months and God kept him here for my for 6 years and I thank God for that,” she said.

In fact, everyone who does the sacred hike has a special reason.

ABC-7 saw hundreds of children and adults carrying walking sticks and backpacks. Once to the top, they joined in song and prayer.

Ortiz says she hopes her children continue following this tradition, while keeping their brother’s memory alive.

“If you have faith, just to follow your faith, that’s all I can say,” Ortiz said.