El Perro Negro's Day to Day Ramblings
Yesterday we hiked the Ruta Gollizno, Moclín, a scenic trail that offers stunning views, through areas with rich history, including old defensive structures & remnants of medieval pathways.
The trail is a mix of dirt paths & rocky terrain, winding through forests, deep gorges & open landscapes.
Some spectacular sections in the gorge itself with a high bridge & raised platforms to provide some superb situations. See photos
Today we've been exploring, amongst other things, the charming village of Fondales in the Taha del Pitres. Known for its traditional whitewashed houses, narrow winding streets & flat slate roofs.
Like much of the Alpujarra, Fondales has Moorish roots and was heavily influenced by the Berber settlers who farmed the terraced hillsides.
I had to put on my guiding hat and return to work yesterday. I know, it's not really work is it? 😂
La "Ruta Medieval, Taha del Pitres"
Charming Alpujarran villages with narrow streets, flat-roofed houses & historic churches.
Ancient Moorish water channels that still irrigate the land today.
Fresh mountain springs & waterfalls, perfect for a quick rest.
Hike dates back to the Nasrid period, reflecting the region's Moorish past.
Yes, I know it's not but I can't wait that long to post these 😂 .
Stunning scenery in the Taha del Pitres today
That was a good morning's work ... getting set up and installed on laptop and mobile with a repeater on the roof terrace powered by rechargeable battery/solar
Exploring the big 3 caves of the Sierra de Huetor. Fascinating 14km hiking route takes you to 3 impressive caves formed by karstic erosion in limestone rock. A mix of natural beauty, geology & a bit of spelunking
Cueva del Agua – underground stream and stunning rock formations
Cueva del Gato – named for its openings that let in light, accessible without headlamps
Cueva de los Mármoles – large chambers and historical significance (poss Roman burial site)
Spain power cuts - fortunately we are somewhat prepared with solar electricity, cash supplies, 15000 litres of water storage, fuel in car & about a months worth of dehydrated meals 😆. In case of a zombie apocalypse 🧟♂️or natural disaster we also have walkie talkies, LoRa radios & I have been developing off-grid networks (experimenting with , & ) 🤣.
Bit of a wake up call though - prepare for these events no matter how far fetched they seem. They can and do happen.
Electric power down throughout Spain and Portugal. Traffic lights, hospitals, communication, shops all down. Never experienced a whole countrywide loss of electricity before. A bit scary how humanity is so dependent. Hope it comes back soon 🤞🤞🤞
The melt waters from the Sierra Nevada in full flow down the irrigation channels (acequias) this morning. Nice sight.
I know this is a really poor shot but I was shattered and really couldn't be bothered to leave my tent 😀. So it's a shaky camera, hand held. Never mind, I'm not trying to win prizes, just want to show you just how many stars were showing in the sky that night. Always amazes me just how many there are.
Sierra Nevada, Spain
I'm tired. Stayed up to watch the Barcelona v Real Madrid football final. Very exciting but it went to extra time so didn't finish until nearly 1am 😵⚽
Just had to go on an old windows laptop to download some camera updates. First time on windows for over a year. Needless to say I'm now feeling a wide mix of emotions. Frustration mainly, but also relief that I never have to return for further camera updates 🤣
There’s nothing quite like dawn in the alpine cold, crisp air, the last stars fading, and the sun igniting the summits in gold. These close-ups capture the raw beauty of the peaks at daybreak.
Morning in the Sierra Nevada mountains is magic ⛰️✨
Descriptions of each image included.
I have been trying out a new (for me) mountain dehydrated meal from Radiz Nutrition, a New Zealand based operation. Maybe @Ali has used them?
I'm not a full on vegetarian but the Smokey BBQ plant based meal was excellent, really enjoyed it and even better, it was ready in only 5 minutes.
I can buy this amazing cheap and lightweight (26 grams) BRS-3000T camping stove here in Spain for a mere €8! Incredible value. Works well too.
BUT - it's not very durable. I accidentally put a boot on it a few days ago (just a light touch) and the titanium legs collapsed. Broken. My fault, but a warning to all that relying on this stove for a multi day trip might not be wise. Take a backup. It's not very durable and needs to be handled with great care.
I don't normally celebrate birthdays but I was quite happy, that at 70, I could still manage 25km and 1100 meters ascent/descent. Took it's toll though 😂 . Here's me at camp, absolutely wasted. Still, proves there's life in the old dog yet.
Been out in the wilds for a few days. The soul is restored. The classic "Vereda de Estrella", Sierra Nevada. No words needed
Just installed on an old laptop with Gnome DE, as I saw an article and quite a few people recommending it this morning. Bit of a learning curve but quite a different and exciting way of package management. Enjoying it so far.
Just read this mind-blowing article about someone summiting the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, wearing the Hypershell exoskeleton! 🤖✨Helps hikers tackle tough terrain with less fatigue—like having superhuman legs!
Personally, not sure about this, but could exoskeletons be the next big thing in outdoor adventures? 🧐 Whether you’re a gearhead or a purist, crazy to see how tech could change exploration.
Yesterday’s hike was a scenic loop from Cónchar down the Río Dúrcal & back over the hills. The valley was absolutely breathtaking - lush, quiet & full of untouched beauty.
Following a little-used path winding along the river, soaking in the peaceful vibes… until we hit a snag. The river, swollen with Sierra Nevada meltwater, was way too wild to cross safely. After a few failed attempts to find a good spot, we made the smart call to turn back.
