El Perro Negro

Grumpy old mountain man living in Spain

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Since Dec 2022 we have been running our own Mastodon & GoToSocial servers. What a breath of fresh air the Fediverse has been. We have made many hundreds of new friends from around the world, mostly related to our mountain, tech and nature interests.

Connect with me/us on the Fediverse at:

We don't ever regret utilising and repurposing the swimming pool as a greenhouse. I'm not much of a water baby and swimming pools take a lot of maintenance. How much better to use that water to grow fresh produce. Satisfying.

A greenhouse stands in an old swimming pool

A huge tomato hanging on the vine

Bit warm to be walking below 2000 meters but the cool breeze and forest foliage helped. Yesterday we did a walk in the Sierra de Huetor, combining the Cañada del Senero with an off piste ascent of Cerro del Corza 1606m.

My first visit to Cerro del Corza. It's a wonderful viewpoint for not only the Sierra Nevada, but also the Majaliar and Peñon de la Mata peaks.

Cold beers back in los Faroles, Lanjaron were most welcome

A bright blue sky with a few clouds overlooks a small group of hikers and some lone trees

5 hikers approach a rocky peak known as "El Pulpito"

At the fire lookout post of top of Cerro del Corza in Spains Sierra de Huetor range

Hikers pass along a wide forest trail

Lots of very happy and colorful people enjoying the great outdoors! A good turnout from our weekly walking group yesterday.

Lots of very happy and colorful hikers enjoying the great outdoors!

I really enjoyed watching the KAOS TV series, a dark comedy and modern take on Greek mythology. Actually made me want to take a peek into Greek mythology as I never covered it during my educational years.

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.

Some of our group on the summit of Alcazaba with the vertical north west face to the left.

Alcazaba from Puntal de la Cornisa

The north ridge of Mulhacen in morning sunlight. In the distance the summit of Veleta

Approaching the scree gully of El Colaero from the lakes at Siete Lagunas

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.

Evening sunlight reflected on the summit of Peñon del Globo and also in the lake below

Our camp situated below Mulhacen. highest mountain in mainland Spain. Morning sunlight hits the top of the mountain. Our camp remains in shadow as is the adjacent lake.

A group of backpackers bivouac in small walled shelters below a rocky mountain

A group of backpackers are preparing an evening meal in small walled shelters. Behind the final rays of the sun reach the mountain of Alcazaba 3269m

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

A person with red jacket stands looking out at some mountain ranges

A small lake sits hidden in a rocky wilderness. The lake is surrounded by green grassy banks

Two hikers leave a small lake. Big mountain walls behind

Two feet in some mountain shows are seen in the foreground. Behind lies a small lake with rocky slopes beyond

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.

A yellow and black 40 litre "Atom Packs" backpack with side pockets, one filled with a trekking pole.

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?

A person in blue t shirt with white dog stroll along a trail with golden grasses. A small farm sites in a green olive grove in mid distance. Beyond lies a lake with hills beyond

A white chapel on a hill on the left overlooks a green valley with a small town sitting on the right hand side on a plateau

A husky and white dog stand at the base of a flowered cross with the outlines of a town beyond.

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.

Three people gaze out at some sharp mountain peaks and pinnacles. In the background is another group of higher mountains with some cloud gathering around the summits

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.