Micro Blog

I do use online/offline mapping systems all the time on my GPS, phone and other tech related gadgets. But, I have to say, there is nothing quite like getting a paper map arriving in the post.

I'm like a kid with a new toy and excited to see what lies within. I can dream of adventures to come better with a paper map than with online mapping systems.

Now to seriously plan our 7-10 day backpacking trip in the Pyrenees

#Hiking #Backpacking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Outdoors #mapping #maps

Another poor, cloudy day in the high mountains so we headed south to the sunny slopes of Cerro Toro and Cerro Gordo, just north of Motril. Here we found solitude and some good hiking through forest tracks with some nice peaks to provide interest. Warm sunshine, t-shirts and shorts. Spring is in the air!

Granada Province constantly providing new hiking opportunities once again!

#hiking #Spain #andalucia #granada #walking #outdoors

Bad news... Spain’s rewilding of Iberian lynx at risk after lobbying by hunters and farmers

Regional governments bow to pressure from agricultural industry, often amplified by far-right Vox party

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/03/spain-iberian-lynx-rewilding-lobbying-hunters-farmers?CMP=share_btn_url

Testing my sub €20 Lixada Solar Panel 7.8w. Charging up a Nitecore NB10000 quite quickly. Its a bit flimsy but at only 127 grams for the panel this is maybe to be expected. Hoping to use it on a multi day trek in the Pyrenees late spring.

#backpacking #gear #outdoors #solar #hiking #trekking

Health and safety. I sometimes cringe when my Spanish neighbor and good friend comes round to help as he has no comprehension of danger. He thinks nothing of standing on a thin olive branch atop a dodgy ladder which I am vainly attempting to keep stable 🤣🤣

Macpac Men's Nitro Fleece Pullover & the OMM Core Hoody

Tested these garments for the past 6 months. Now, I don't leave home without one or the other in my pack.

Similar style of material. Macpac uses Polartec® Alpha® Direct & OMM PrimaLoft® ACTIVE. Both ultra-light insulating fabrics made for breathable warmth & pack-ability.

Weigh similar amounts too, 148g (large). I tend to utilize mainly as mid layer under an outer wind-shirt or as pull-on at rest stops.

#outdoors #backpacking

The trail to the mountain!

Walking yesterday along the GR7 long distance path from Juviles to the town of Trevélez in the Sierra Nevada. Although the summits are out of view the mountain ahead is that of Mulhacén, highest mountain in mainland Spain 3482m

#Hiking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors #Andalucia

I'm a technology tinkerer. Not great at it, certainly not an expert, but I enjoy it. Time now to separate my #technology adventures from my mountain/real life ones. The two don't really go together.

To that end I'm delighted to have set up a small #GoToSocial instance for tech posts and related advances towards more dead ends 😀 !

All my tech ramblings from now on are at @dunc

New lithium batteries for our solar installation. Thanks to my mate Pepe for putting it all together. Need a few more solar panels now!

#solar #spain #solarenergy

There are many ways the pilgrims made the journey to Santiago de Compostela. The most well known one is through northern Spain. However there are more. The Camino Mozarabe at 1450km is the longest. This runs from Almeria in the SE to Santiago in the NW of Spain.

Yesterday we did a short 15km section between the village of Dudar to Granada, ending up at the Alhambra Palace.

Expansive views to the Sierra de Huetor, Granada & of course the Sierra Nevada.

#Hiking #Walking #Mountains #Spain

How Spain’s radically different approach to migration helped its economy soar

As immigration has increased, GDP has surged and unemployment has fallen to lowest level since 2008

As an immigrant since 2002 I have always been made to feel very welcome here. Thank you Spain.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/18/how-spains-radically-different-approach-to-migration-helped-its-economy-soar?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

My new boots have arrived & I'm like a little kid with a new toy!

I wanted a lightweight boot for late spring, early summer multi day treks. Had to be stiff enough to take a C1 crampon as I didn't want to rely on micro-spikes over the terrain I intend to travel (High Pyrenees & Dolomites)

Came across these "La Sportiva Trango Trk GTX's". Very lightweight, only 115 grams/boot more than my summer approach shoes with a semi stiff sole

#outdoors #backpacking #mountaineering #footware #boots

A superb view of the main Sierra Nevada mountain range from the Sierra de Huetor to the north.

#Hiking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors #Andalucia

I've never had an Instagram account. Ever. So imagine my surprise when someone who has, sent me this link from the BBC iPlayer account. It's me! Taking Alan Carr on a via ferrata 😀

Maybe I should open an account? Nah, I like it here!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DF-qbvLoJCp/?igsh=MWlrYzA5dTUzcG8wYw==

More "enshittification". This time from Amazon. Amazon is pulling a Google, killing off popular services. Evidently, I have until 25th February to download my 708 books that I have purchased from them. After the 25th you can no longer download YOUR books for backup or transfer via USB

Good job I did this 2 years ago eh? Buy the books from elsewhere.

https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/amazon-is-not-to-be-trusted-anymore-with-their-kindle-e-reader

#enshittification #amazon #books #bookstodon

So, last May, the BBC contacted us and asked us if we would be interested in leading UK "celebrity" Alan Carr on a Via Ferrata route outside of the town of Moclin. Of course, we said yes, although to be honest after 23 years outside the UK, I wasn't quite sure who indeed, Alan Carr was!

This short article describes our experiences working with Alan Carr and the BBC during the filming of "Amanda and Alan's Spanish job" (Episode 3) ... https://spanishhighs.com/articles/alan-carr-via-ferrata-spanish-job/

#viaferrata #tvshows #uk

Whilst in the UK I took the opportunity to attend the Cicerone Press "Authors Day".

For those who don't know, Cicerone produce a series of the best #outdoor #guidebooks to be found anywhere. Worldwide.

It was good to chat with fellow authors but there was a series of very interesting talks about demographic changes to the userbase, the new #PCT guide, what makes a good guidebook photo and also the future direction of the company regarding digitalization.

https://www.cicerone.co.uk/

Quick trip back to UK saw me in the lovely Kentmere Valley on a bitterly cold and blustery day with extensive hill mists. Instead of the intended Kentmere Horseshoe we wisely opted for the lowly Yoke and Sallows instead. Kept below the cloud line. It was enough, a good day with my two daughters

#Hiking #Walking #Mountains #UK #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #lakedistrict

The clouds had come in as we headed back down to the cars from Morrón Hornillo. Suddenly the mists cleared and a strange horizontal window opened up below the vast expanse of grey skies

#Hiking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors #Andalucia

As Internet enshittification marches on, here are some of the worst offenders

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/02/as-internet-enshittification-marches-on-here-are-some-of-the-worst-offenders/