El Perro Negro's Day to Day Ramblings
Alcazaba 3369m is the 3rd highest peak in the Sierra Nevada and yet, in my opinion, it is undoubtedly the finest.
Alcazaba, the Fortress, is well named, guarded on 3 sides by cliffs. A few days ago we started from Laguna de Borreguil & reached the Alcazaba summit plateau via a steep scree gully named "El Colaero", which brought us out at the col between Puntal de la Cornisa 3316m & Peñon del Globo 3296m. A short stroll from there to the summit.
We never camp at Laguna Hondera. It's popular, noisy & frequented by hungry foxes. Head a little uphill however & there are some delectable places to bivouac (make sure you don't camp on the fragile "borreguiles", grassy areas adjacent to the lake). We found some pre prepared bivouac spots near Laguna de Borreguil where we watched the sun set & cooked evening meals.Then laid back to watch the stars & milky way pass overhead. Life is simple, but good.
The walk into Siete Lagunas a couple of days ago involved passing two small hidden lakes, rarely visited by other humans. Laguna Prado Negro and another further north which doesn't have a name. It should, it's stunning! The wonderful wild side of the Sierra Nevada that few others get to see
Arrival of the sun at Laguna Borreguil, Siete Lagunas in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountain range this morning
Packing for a two day trip to climb the mighty Alcazaba (3350m) starting tomorrow. The finest peak in the Sierra Nevada. Bivouac at Laguna Altera (Siete Lagunas). Will be able to travel lightweight, no need for tent just open bivouac (groundsheet, quilt, pad) Total 4.5 kilograms (incl cooking/camera gear & normal hill pack) + about a litre of water to add.
It's going to be one of those days. 🐱 Have a great weekend all!
Nothing better on a hot summer Spanish day than home made cold Gazpacho soup containing vegetables from the garden - cucumber, tomatoes, garlic, cayenne peppers & onion. The bread was home made too. Simple but tasty.
Definite autumnal feel to the morning dog walk. Lovely colors, especially when the first rays of the sun hit the hillsides. Cooler with a slight breeze. Maybe end of the early morning/pre sunrise start of summer dog walking?
Cracking light show last night. We even had some drops of rain! Lanjaron, Andalucia
Arko hates his photo being taken but this morning he knows I've just baked him some liver cake for his walks :dance_cool_doge:
Exciting news. I'm going back to the Dolomites for a week at the end of September as I feel there is some unfinished business. This time, instead of just trekking, we are aiming to do 6 high level Via Ferrata routes in the Sella/San Martino mountain range in 5 days. Will use two refuges as a base. Really looking forward to it.
Today's pick from the garden. Think some hot and spicy sriracha sauce might be coming up
The Vuelta de España passing through my town of Lanjarón this afternoon.
178 kilometre mountain stage with 4,370 meters of ascent. It's hot and humid. Respect.
Silent Hiking Laguna Misterioso and Molinillo Waterfall
An August summer day in the Sierra Nevada and yet almost alone for all of this 6 hour hike visiting hidden lakes and spectacular waterfalls. No need for music in this short video, I shall let the wind and water speak for itself.
Friday is watering day for us here in the campo. Great to see the olive and lemon trees being nourished in the morning sun. Our young avocados and apples need it every couple of days. Rewarding.
Must say, I'm really enjoying putting together short 3 minute videos of my hikes. Adding a new dimension to my day in the hills.
I'm certainly no expert, but In the old days it used to take loads of editing on powerful desktop computers to produce a video. Now it's done on a mobile phone in a few minutes. Just incredible.
Here's one I did yesterday
Short clip from today's hike. Crossing the Paso de las Guias in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains.
Sorry for the dramatic music. Couldn't help it 🤣
It's amazing what simple day to day things you just can't do when you cant use a thumb. Frustrating!😤
I wrote a blog about our travels through the Italian Dolomites.
It is quite a long and comprehensive read but the hope is it may help give information to others who are thinking of visiting the area.
https://elperronegro.com/posts/2024-08-03-alta-via2-trekking-dolomites/
15 min video - "Wanderings on and off the Alta Via 2 trek in the Dolomites"
One week of traditional hut to hut trekking and one completely different week "making it up as we went along". All the time making our way southwards through the Italian Dolomite mountains. In total we covered over 130km and with over 7000 metres of ascent.
All combined into 15 minutes!