El Perro Negro

Grumpy old mountain man living in Spain

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El Perro Negro (@elperronegro) on Khumbu

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!

A lake with green banks is surrounded by cliffs and snow slopes. Blue sky above

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

A bright red tent site next to a rock. Beyond is a small lake. near to the rock is a yellow rucksack. behind the lake are snow slopes

"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

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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

A colourful selection of mountain outdoor gear sits displayed on a black sofa

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!

A person swings out from a mountain face on a pendulum swing. behind are green trees and the sea

2 people climb iron rungs cemented into the rock face. Both wear helmets

A person abseils down a steep cliff

A tough overhang climbed with the aid of metal rungs built into the orange rock

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

A small yellow/red wildflower sits aside a stream bank. "Genista versicolor"

Lots of "Helianthemum appenium" on the bank of a stream

The distinctive blue of the gentian "Gentiana Sierrae"

A large area with the blue gentian "Gentiana Sierrae"

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.

Hikers pass alongside a small stream with distant views to mountains

A group of hikers passes along a small path with a large valley up and behind. In the distant some remnants of snow still remain on the high peaks

Hikers descend some green and yellow slopes. The valley ahead converges to some distant mountains. Blue sky above

A large stream gushes out of a lip in the valley. Two hikers are seen walking up the far grassy banks. There is a hint of higher snowy mountains above

Yesterday, when we walked in fields of gold

Acequia los Hechos, west flank of Cerro de Caballo at 2400m. Sierra Nevada, Spain

A sea of yellow mountain broom cover the foreground. In the distance the outline of some jagged mountain peaks

I'd love to be able to say that I'm rich and clever enough to have built an infinity pool. But ... I'm not. Its the reflections in our coffee table :sablobsmilehappy: :dance_cool_doge:

A sun umbrella stands above a table and chairs. To the right a large palm tree. All is reflected below

La Ruta Peñuela above Lanjarón in the Alpujarras. Yesterday's half day hiking route through forests and open hillsides above the town.

Some hikers proceed along a narrow path walking towards some trees

A open hillside with some trees is partly in shadow and partly in bright sunshine. A small group of hikers passes along a path in the shadow

3 hikers pass along a path between large mature trees

Hikers walk up to the skyline along a track. To the left is a large tree, blue sky above

@[email protected] I didn't have much time to check out their camera gear but one guy had the Sony A1 with a very professional looking stability rig. It was obviously top notch stuff. Here's a photo of my fellow guide, Felipe trying out the gear

Person with helmet, harness and via ferrata equipment holds camera filming gear

Interesting day yesterday doing a via ferrata whilst being filmed by the BBC as part of an upcoming TV series. Not allowed to mention details but it was great to see how professional film crews set up to capture such things. One thing that struck me ... "Aren't all the film crew (4 cameramen, producer, sound man, director, fixer etc) so young? Or is it that I am just so old 😀 Anyway, a lot of fun!

One person is securing himself to cables whilst one person with a red helmet watches. On the right of the image is a black dressed cameraman filming the scene

We had a great hike yesterday checking out the upper valleys and streams that flow into the Rio Bermejo above Pitres. We found a blank part of the map with no hiking trails, which made for an exciting day of exploration in natural and wild surroundings. There's nothing quite like the sound of running water, the sight of wildflowers, deep gorges, and lush mountainsides to help you relax and unwind.

A fast flowing stream drops from up high and passes between green grassy banks. Blue sky above and a large tree on the left

A lone hiker stands on a rocky crag looking up a green and log strewn valley

Two hikers look south towards the Sierra de Contraviesa hills and the Mediterranean Sea beyond.

A group of 5 hikers walks up a steep trail

Spring Gentian (Gentiana sierrae). Endemic to Spain's Sierra Nevada grows between 1800m and 3200m. Lucky enough to see loads of these beautiful flowers today in a high valley at 2300m

A small batch of bright blue flowers (gentians) have a tenuous hold to the mountainside. A yellow flower (blurred out in the image) is seen at the top right

Just watching on Netflix. At first I didn't like the black and white but after a short while I realised it's essential to accompany the stunning cinematography. Andrew Scott is superb in the menacing and psychotic lead role. An engaging series