El Perro Negro's Day to Day Ramblings
Been messing about trying to convert some very old outdated/unused mobile phones to be used as GPS devices in the hills. Might as well get some value from them, yes?
BQ Aquarius 4.5 running Ubuntu Touch OS - big fail. Bricked it :sablobsmilehappy:
OnePlus 3 running e/os/ (Android) - big fail at loading Lineage OS until I luckily hit the right combination of recovery buttons that led to a complete restart of e/os/. Now functioning well just as a standalone GPS device using OSMAnd+ for mapping
The weather forecasts said rain/storms from early morning throughout the day. I was somewhat suspect as the norm this time of year is for cloud build up mid-afternoon and maybe some thunderstorms late afternoon. Anyway I heeded their warning so today we changed venue from high mountain to low mountain. We hiked in the Forests of the Cumbres Verdes with an easy escape available.
Anyway we had a lovely walk. Here's a 2 minute video of the hike.
I've joined a Peertube instance to produce a series of short hiking and mountain videos of my travels through southern Spain.
As a bit of a test today, I filmed our regular morning dog walk. Please bear with me, I have recently acquired a DJI Pocket 2 and it is all a bit new.
I intend for the videos to be either "Silent" or with easy listening music, no narrative. I'm probably not that natural a speaker anyway and the landscapes should do the talking, not me! 😀
Trumpet Gentian found on a hillside at 2500m in the Sierra Nevada a few days ago. Proper name I think is Gentiana alpina (or Southern gentian)
I've upgraded our Petzl Via Ferrata lanyards in preparation for our forthcoming July trip to the Dolomites. These "Scorpio Vertigos" weigh only 380 each (+ pully) so are quite a weight saving on the previous models which we have.
There are more and more Via Ferratas popping up here in Andalucia so the old kits will still be well utilised.
Yesterdays early morning start from our bivouac site had us ascending using an easy snow staircase that led up 400 meters to the ridge line. We arrived to meet the sun and walk the high ridges southwards, going up Cerro de Caballo, before dropping steeply back down to the car. By lunchtime, a couple of hours later, we were enjoying a cold beer in Lanjarón.
An excellent two days that will live long in the memory.
First light reaches the mountains of the Alayos del Dilar group with Corazon de la Sandia prominent. Behind the outskirts of the city of Granada.
What a morning! This was our view when the suns rays reached us yesterday morning after a 2 hour ascent through the dawns shadows. In front of us the magnificent Cerro de Caballo, Europe's most southerly and westerly 3000m peak.
There is much more snow here this June than I can remember from previous years. All good news for this summers irrigation supplies in the Alpujarras
What a magnificent setting for last nights bivouac. A small lake surrounded by crags and snow slopes. It's grassy banks were filled with bright blue "trumpet gentian" flowers and the noise of busy insects filled the air. Waterfalls gushed over the lip of the corrie as the sun set over Granada city, some 2200 meters below.
Spread my ashes there when I pass on please!
Our Crux Raid single skin, 4 season tent is a bit of a tight fit for 2 people, but is so easy to put up and the most reliable mountain companion. Not the best for expeditions where space on bad days would be preferable, but perfect for overnight, lightweight excursions into the mountains
Our first sight of overnight camp last night, a small, well hidden lake (Laguna Carnero) nestled amongst crags.
"Don't Pack A Halfie"! Been transferring half empty gas cannisters to top up my small ones. Really works well using the Flip Fuel from https://flipfuel.co
Good way to conserve weight and redistribute gas for camping
I love packing for an overnight mountain camp. Decisions have to be made regarding expected weather, temperatures and underfoot conditions. Hopefully I've got this one about right? Up tomorrow into the Sierras to camp by a hidden lake, back Tuesday after summiting a couple of 3000m peaks. Weight about 5kg + water + camera equipment
Overnight clouds beginning to clear this morning. Lanjarón, Granada, Spain
Did the very entertaining Via Ferrata at Castala yesterday with Dexter and Felipe. Ladders, walkways, balance bar, Tyrolean traverses, wire bridges, pendulums. Also 2 abseils - 18m and 30m. Lots of fun in the afternoon shade near Berja. Well worth a visit!
Some of the beautiful wild flowers that lined the sides of streams that were gushing with the spring snow melt from the high Sierra Nevada. Height approx 2300-2500m. Wildflower names in description/alt text
Such beauty yesterday on the western side of Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains. Running waters, colorful endemic wild flowers, snowfields, distant views and a "big country" feel. And, no others around. I knew my fellow hikers were as captivated as myself as, instead of the usual charging away up the nearest hill, they were content to just sit for long periods. I guess, contemplating the meaning of life, who knows? 😄 A superb day, immersed in nature.
And of course on the mountainsides of the Cerro de Caballo (3009m) we were destined to meet these wild beauties.
Yesterday, when we walked in fields of gold
Acequia los Hechos, west flank of Cerro de Caballo at 2400m. Sierra Nevada, Spain
It's Friday and it's also watering day. Making the most of it before the summer
