Grumpy old mountain man living in Spain
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:
Sometimes going off the beaten track can land you in some incredible situations. Of course, you have to be prepared for rough terrain and going pathless isn't for everybody, but do it, take it in, embrace it and enjoy it! You see the Sierra Nevada how it used to be. Wild, untamed and natural. We left no trace
I think they enjoyed today's hike into the high mountains!
I was a bit too late to capture tonight's "Parade of the Planets" but a beautiful sky nonetheless. The bright planet must be "Venus" I guess.
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/rare-sky-event-parade-of-planets-2023
Short video: Scrambling down the west ridge of the Peñon de la Mata. To the south the snow clad Sierra Nevada mountains and to the west the outskirts of the city of Granada
Warm morning walk today along the "acequias" (irrigation channels) above Lanjarón. Earned the cold beer afterwards!
A year ago today the Sahara Dust arrived (Calima). The whole of the south of Spain was affected. Our town Lanjarón, was turned dirty orange, almost like a Sci-Fi movie. After a week we were left with houses, cars and trees covered in a dirty brown dusty mud. That legacy still remains in many parts of towns and villages.
Instead of re-painting our house white we painted it "Sahara Dust" colour in case it returns. Lazy aren't we? 😂
End of another glorious day. Night all you Tooters!
Loved this frontage to a house in the village of Izbor, Andalucia. Despite being covered with remnants of the Autumn's Sahara Dust storm (Calima) the owner has decorated with plants in beautiful ceramic vases.
Memories from the past: 17th July 1983 and my first time on the summit of Mont Blanc 4807 metres. Couldn't see a thing! Love the cheap "scout shop" waterproofs and the lack of helmets and harnesses. Joined together by a simple bowline around the waist. Our ice axes were cheap, old and wooden with a small, straight pick. We survived though, possibly because summer alpine snow conditions were safer than these days. Good times.
A beautiful hike today, closer to home and at lower level. From the Beznar dam down the Rio Izbor to the village of Izbor and then back uphill for a couple of cold beers in Pinos de Valle. Part of this route forms the long distance path called "Ruta Boabdil", in the Lecrin Valley area, south of Granada
Sat in the middle of the road eating our lunch under the shade of the olive and lemon trees.
Been out hiking this afternoon in a new area (for me). The Sierra Arana north of Granada has some superb, quiet mountain and forest scenery.
The main ridge of Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains from Alcazaba on the left, over Mulhacén to Veleta on the right. A fantastic high level ridge constantly above 3000m altitude. Mountaineering in winter and alpine trekking in summer. I guess you could call this my back garden?
3 day winter course for 6 members from Dublin-Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. Skills that are needed out in winter mountains. Apart from the usual techniques we are adding the use of snowshoes, snow belays for lowering stretchers, avalanche awareness & probing for people stuck under the snow following an avalanche. On going training is essential for these mountain heroes, if you would like to donate, link to their website is here https://www.dwmrt.ie/
Redoing my so it can be pinned to profile. Here goes ...
Hi I'm Richard, retired adventurer/author living in with his . Made in , part Scot. Love the especially the , &
Hobbies include and playing around with websites
Bit of a grumpy old man especially with regard to , and issues. El Perro Negro named after my first dog
Sad news that Tamara, a lynx released at the beginning of March in the Sierra Arana north of Granada, was found run over.
It is one of 3 lynxes that were reintroduced on March 3. This is the third lynx that has died in a little over a month, as a first was killed by a car and another by an attack by two dogs.
Plans are being made to install "virtual" fencing alongside busy roads in the area and increased driver signage. Link in Spanish.
Am I the only one who always has a few pieces left after an Ikea build?
This says it all about today. Warm sunshine and a beautiful isolated mountain summit with superb views and good friends. I could have stayed here for hours enjoying the peace and tranquility.
Late afternoon sun on the dramatic northern faces of the Sierra Nevada. Alcazaba, Mulhacen, Veleta and Puntal de la Caldera looking spectacular. This is definitely "alpine" terrain, even in this relatively poor snow year and it's sometimes hard to believe that this is southern Spain!
Yesterday afternoon the mountains called & I just had to go up into their lofty realms to spend a couple of hours in their exalted company watching the shadows lengthen & colours deepen.
Time to escape the rat race, internet, politics & sport. Instead, time now for inward reflection & quiet contemplation, amid all this natural scenic beauty. And especially, to think of loved ones struggling through tough times.
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