PHOTO ALBUM - A spectacular circular hike from the town of Moclin
Tags
- Patagonia
- Miscellaneous
- Sierra Nevada
- Video
- Kamchatka
- Alpujarras
- Walking
- Andalucia
- Nomads
- Trekking
- Dogs
- Snowshoeing
- Scrambling
- La Palma
- Photos only
Featured Posts
- A Collection of My Favourite Mountaineering Quotes
- Trips to the wild and windswept Patagonian Icefield
- Swapping Life Stories with Kenton Cool
- Surviving Blizzards in Kamchatka
- Skiing with Rita in the Back Garden
- The Early Days in Andalucia
Latest Posts
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Traverse of Chullo from Puerta de la RaguaPHOTO ALBUM - Describes a traverse of Chullo in the eastern Sierra Nevada hills today from the Puerto de la Ragua
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Niguelas, Ruta Pavilla and FallaPHOTO ALBUM - A short walk around Niguelas taking in the Falla Natural Momument and the aerial walkway of the Sendero de Pavilla
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PHOTO ALBUM - Fuentes de Conchar. A beautiful, varied and constantly changing walk close to home and enjoyed by all.
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The lost refuge of Piedra de los PajarosPHOTO ALBUM - A tough, mainly pathless ascent yesterday over Cuna (2292m) to the old cave/refuge at Piedra de los Pajaros (2550m).
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Fun, frolics and gymnastics in the eastern SierraDescribes an eventful and enjoyable Nomads day out exploring the eastern Sierra Nevada hills, situated west of the Puerta de la Ragua
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Ruta Boabdil - Beznar, Izbor and Pinos de VallePHOTO ALBUM - Linear walk starting at the Beznar Dam and going down the Rio Izbor to Izbor before returning uphill to Pinos de Valle
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PHOTO ALBUM - A superb summit which we attained from the village of Prado Negro in the Sierra de Huetor
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PHOTO ALBUM - A circular walk in the Sierra de Contraviesa, starting at Sorvillan and going to Polopos before returning
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Just had to be my luck, didn't it? My first time hiking in the Gorafe Desert Badlands and temperatures were forecast to be below freezing. Now in my eyes, the words "Desert" and "Freezing" shouldn't go together. "Hot" and "Desert", that would surely be the norm, wouldn't it?
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To Blog or Not To Blog, that is the Question?Some thoughts on why I write blogs and will continue to write blogs, even if nobody reads them!
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Lolloping along the Lentegi Sky LineDescribes a linear walk along the intricate and quiet hill ridges lying between the villages of Lentegi and Albuñuelas in the Sierra de Almijara, south of Spain.
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Blondie, Tuco, Indiana and the Demented Desert Dragon TailsReport about a two day hiking trip into the Tabernas Deserts, Almeria, Spain
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Cold fingers in the ContraviesaThe "beast from the north" had arrived and the weather was turning colder. The high mountains were out, so we headed for the lower Sierra de Contraviesa hills.
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The Reluctant Pathbuilder and the Lentegi CircularDescribes a hike around the Lentegi Circular PR440 path in the Sierra de Almijara
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Earlier this year we decided to update our old kitchen that had been installed sometime in the early 1990s. It was decidedly pokey and was desperately in need of some modernization. How on earth did I manage with that for 20 years!
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Circular around Puerto JubileyInteresting circular walk from the Puerto de Jubiley today. Some impassable obstacles en route involved either a change of plan or swimming!
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Rio Verde and the Petrified WaterfallA circular walk around the head of the Rio Verde on a cold and blustery day.
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Walking on the Island of La PalmaJust come back from a week long walking holiday to the island of La Palma. We completed 5 of the best hikes the island has to offer and seen some amazing scenery, especially of the volcanic kind.
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Nice to be back out with the walking group today. We headed to the autumnal forests of the Sierra de Huetor, north of Granada to explore some new tracks. Gentle hiking in glorious surroundings. Good to be back.
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DAI Part 2 - They Can Rebuild HimJust home after spending 5 days in the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves in Granada having a couple of operations replacing my DAI, "Desfibrilador Automatico Implantable" or Pacemaker to be less exact.
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Yesterday I found myself at the centre of a dispute between the surgeon and my health insurance company. In the end nothing was done. A complete waste of time.
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Life on the edge! Today we've been climbing mountains again. This time the superb summit of Corazon de la Sandia (1885m) on the Alayos de Dilar ridge. Proves you don't always have to climb the highest mountains to get the best thrills!
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Scrambling with my daughter ClaireYesterday I took my daughter on one of my favourite mountain scrambles that she has always wanted to go on. The north side of the Peñon de la Mata, north of Granada.
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Photos from yesterdays ascent of El Fuerte outside Frigiliana. A tough ascent followed by a scrambling descent of it's SW ridge which at times involved combined "tarzan-like" tactics to overcome
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Wildfire in the los Guajares hills!Some photos and comments from the wildfire in the Los Guajares and Pinos de Valle hills which started on 8th September at 14:00. Tragic circumstances and kudos to all those involved but it did lead to some spectacular imagery
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Let's go see the bird migration she said. Thing is, I'm more of a landscape than a bird photographer. And let's face it, landscapes don't move, well not much anyway. In contrast those little feathered blighters have wings that can flap hundreds of times a minute
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Even in August Nature and Beauty prevailWe decided to revisit the quiet and relatively unknown lake of Lagunillo Misterioso, an enchanting place. We would then drop down the streams to see possibly the highest waterfall in the Sierra Nevada, the Chorreras de Molinillo.
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What is it like scrambling "Las Campanitas" Ridge in Spain's Sierra Nevada?Las Campanitas is the ridge between Cerro los Machos and Veleta in the Sierra Nevada. It is a Grade 3 scramble that crosses the peaks of Zacatín, Campanario and Salón eventually reaching Veleta via a route known as "Fidel Fierro".
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Kiersten and I fancied escaping the heat and spending a few hours in the cool air at 3000m. Our target was the upper Guarnón valley below Veleta's northern face, an area of streams and green, lush grasses amid a sea of stones. The area was teeming with nature's sounds, sights and smells.
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It had been quite a number of years since I had last walked the ridge between Veleta and the Refugio Elorrietta. It's known as the Tajos de la Virgen ridge and is a rough but easy walk with some sections of very mild scrambling involved.
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Las Campanitas Ridge to VeletaThe ridge didn't let our expectations down. It is a magnificent scramble, probably Grade 3 in places. The highlight for me is the spiky pinnacle of Campario which soars like a needle up intto the sky. It is an impressive and intimidating sight.
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Yesterday in the heat of the afternoon we made our way uphill to a remote lake, rarely visited, that we had never been to before. Laguna de Peñón Negro.
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What to do during a heatwave. Take the dogs for a river walk of course. Super proud of these two, they both remembered how to swim and seemed to really enjoy it
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This was an interesting day. Interesting as it crossed some terrain I have never trodden before, threading the Raspones ridge.
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After many years of neglect our outer walls and cortijo walls have been repaired, re plastered and repainted.
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Blurred images and lost opportunitiesIn trying to learn camera techniques to take good landscape images you are bound to have some failures. It's a shame as those failures can sometimes happen in superb mountain settings, resulting in lost opportunities.
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Wet and Windy in the San Juan ValleyA very unseasonal hiking day in Spain's Sierra Nevada which brought welcome relief from the heat of the lower villages
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Hard Going on the Tozal del Cartujo ridgeA tough return for me to high mountain scrambling on this mountaineering ascent of the north ridge of Tozal del Cartujo in Spain's Sierra Nevada
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Describes a walk up the quiet and relatively remote peak of Las Alegas above the Alpujarras in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains
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Life of Luxury in the Sierra BlancaA visit to the towns of Monda and Tolox visiting mountains of the Sierra Blanca and waterfalls in the Sierra de las Nieves
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The best photo I have ever taken?The story behind the circumstances that led me to take the best landscape image I had ever taken.
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After a recent period of inactivity, due to having a pacemaker fitted, it was good to get back out on the warm limestone rock of the Peñon de la Mata and feel the exposure.
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Walking into a surreal Martian LandcapeWe had an eventful, interesting and ultimately fulfilling day on the western slopes of the Cerro de Caballo a couple of days ago. The route is along the Acequia los Hechos and up to the remote and lonely, hidden lake of Laguna Puesta Cura.
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A chain across the dirt track halted our walking plan for the day. Instead we had to look for an alternative. As in many cases like this, the alternative turned out to be superb! The peak of Boca de la Pesca, located in the Cumbres Verdes just 15 minutes from Granada.
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Catching the sunrise, Sierra de LujarAt 5:30 this morning I dragged my weary ass out of bed, out into the morning cold and drove up precipitous mountain dirt tracks in the dark
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In response to the Electricity Companies doubling their prices we have gone solar. Sod em!
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The great thing about living in the foothills of the mountains is that you can take last minute advantage of snow conditions.
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Cadiar, Lobras and Tímar Circular
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Photos from the trip into the Sierra Mágina over the last couple of days. A lovely, compact and interesting mountain range largely overlooked by foreigners. We saw only 1 other hiker in 2 days of wandering here.
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I've never been one for spending my weekend cleaning cars, preferring the mountains to that thankless chore. After nearly 20 years in Spain my car cleaning was both seasonal and eco friendly ie when it rained.
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Pico Lopera, a quality ascent of modest altitudeAfter nearly two months having a pacemaker implant and then recovering from it, I was finally able to get out with the walking group again. We chose Pico Lopera, a modest peak in the north of the Sierra de Almijara.
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First tracks in the Barranco de San JuanFirst time at mid altitude for a while and my first venture this winter into the winter snows. We've had a poor winter so far so the recent heavy snowfalls have been most welcomed. Poor visibility meant we opted for the Barranco de San Juan valley as our snowshoeing route for the day.
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Cerro Huenes group, an unknown gem in the Cumbres VerdesThe Cumbres Verdes range south of Granada is very accessible. Most people head for the deserved reigning peak of the range, the spectacular, Trevenque. However there is a really nice hike just as accessible. This is round the Cerro Huenes group.
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Bionic Man - They can rebuild himGot out of hospital last night at long last. Was in there 4 nights in total. Every thing is good and I have a €20,000 device, half the size of a mobile phone stuck under my left collar bone. Good job I was insured.
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Prado Llano and Refugio PoqueiraOur route to the Refugio Poqueira started at the Hoya del Portillo and ascended through the pine forests to the viewpoint of Puerto Molina. Snow capped peaks surrounded us.
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Ruta de los Mineros, Sierra de LujarFor many years I have gazed south to the rather uninspiring lump of the Sierra de Lujar. This small mountain range nearly 2000m high has never inspired me to walk it's seemingly boring wooded hillsides. A day with the Nomads Walking Group there has changed my opinion
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The story behind receiving my very first dodgy Christmas Jumper at the ripe old age of 66!
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First tentative steps up a mountainI climbed my first hill in 1963, the year that President Kennedy was shot and when I was just eight years old. My Dad was an accountant and had a job doing the books of a pub in Appleby in Cumbria. On a day off he drove me to the village of Dufton and we set off up Dufton Pike
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Blizzards, snowdrifts, gales, frostbite, snow blindness, buried tents, floods, hardship, cold, sleepless nights. It must be summer then in deepest Patagonia.
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Kiersten & the Pendulum - Via Ferrata John Hogbin, ZafarrayaWell, that day was different. A first visit for me to the Via Ferrata paradise that is found at John Hogbin, Zafarraya. Lots of steep ladders (some decidedly more wobbly than others), Tyrolean Traverses, rungs, zip wires and cable bridges to negotiate. All good, clean and exposed fun in the sun!
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Enjoying the First Snows of Winter - Cortijo Hornillo and Vereda de la EstrellaAs we ascended towards our goal at Cortijo Hornillo other mountains came into view, Mulhacen, Puntal de la Caldera and Veta Grande. The white mountains towered over us, ice glinting from their vertical slopes, as we reached the buildings at Cortijo Hornillo
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Ups and Downs in the Tajos de BermejalesIt was a cold, clear morning as a large band of Nomads congregated at the car park at the town of Pantano de Bermejales. Today was a first for all of us, a trip down the river gorge of the Tajos de Bermejales, northwards towards the town of Cacin.
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Out of the Shadows and into the Sun - ascent of La Maroma, Sierra de TejedaDescribes an ascent of La Moroma in the Sierra de Tejeda - We drove to La Robledal where we commenced our ascent. We knew this would be a tough day with over 1000m ascent. The initial forest tracks were easy enough, but shortly we left these behind and took to an ever steepening mountain track.
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Skiing with Rita in the Back GardenA short ski touring video showing you one of the main reasons why I so love it here. Driving uphill on dirt tracks from my house I quickly reach some really beautiful and natural mountain environments. I enjoy a short ski tour with my dog, Rita. As you can see, she's very enthusiastic, bless her!
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Walk the Canada del Senero, Sierra de Huetor
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Ascent of Peña de la Cruz, Sierra de HuetorWe headed to the Sierra de Huetor just north of Granada. There was a peak there that I had seen many times from the A92 motorway during my years in Spain. It is called the Penon de la Cruz. I never climbed it before because, quite frankly, it looked a bit uninteresting and boring. How wrong was I?
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Swapping Life Stories with Kenton CoolIt's not often we meet celebrities here in our hidden away part of southern Spain. This week we welcomed a well known figure of the mountaineering world, Kenton Cool with 15 Everest ascents under his belt and various other big climbs since 1993
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Describes a rather easy, relaxed coastal walk between La Herradura and Nerja on the Costa Tropical, Spain
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Puerto de Frigiliana & Mirador de AguaWe discovered a superb circuit of the Puerto de Frigiliana and the Mirador de Agua. Great views and superb weather despite a cold start.
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The Dehesa de Camarate, LugrosPhotos from yesterdays walk in the beautiful Dehesa de Camarate near Lugros. We were a bit early for the October explosion of autumnal colours but a nice walk nevertheless.
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Walk the Los Cahorros de Monachil Gorge, GranadaThere's something uniquely satisfying about reading the weather right. 10 minutes after finishing the walk today in the Monachil Gorge the heavens opened. Really good to be back enjoying Los Cahorros near Granada, 15 years since I was last there.
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Trekking the Northern Flanks of the Sierra NevadaThe Veredon Inferior deserves to be known as the most spectacular path in the Sierra Nevada that nobody knows about! We now head down onto a vasar, a descending rake which rather cleverly circumvents the vertical cliffs above and below.
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Hiking at First Light in the Sierra NevadaThere's something special about striking campsite pre dawn and hiking in the first daylight hours, whilst the rest of the world is seemingly still in bed.
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Atom Packs Lightweight Trekking BackpacksMy Atom Pack 40 weighs in at just 680 grams and is, in theory, perfect for multi day summer trips into the mountains. Saves me a whole 700 grams on my current Deuter pack.
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Lanjarón to Trevelez drive through the AlpujarrasYou just might consider this to be the most boring video in the world. Depending on your point of view you may well be correct. But, on my early morning journey to work in Trevelez a while ago I filmed the whole one hour journey through the Alpujarra with my dashcam.
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The Class of 21. An Outdoor First Aid CourseAn Outdoor First Aid Course giving us certification for another 3 years. A renewal of confidence by refreshing old skills and then learning new techniques, which we can apply in our daily lives to assist others in distress.
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Trekking the Upper Lanjaron ValleyTo the people of Lanjaron, their Shangri-La is the upper Lanjaron valley, it's lakes and it's rivers. It's the source of it's life giving waters. A special place that we were privileged to walk and spend the night in.
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Record Breaking High Temperatures today in LanjaronThe previous "high" was in July 2017 when we reached 41.7C. Today we have been closely watching the rise in temperature and late this afternoon we beat our record. Highest recorded temperature since 2006 is now officially 42.1C!
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Although I've had dogs that are supposedly "water dogs" such as Labradors and Leonbergers etc, none has really taken to the water. Of course, this is southern Spain so there isn't that much water anywhere, which hasn't helped.
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The Vasar de Mulhacen, Sierra NevadaThe North Face of Mulhacen, Sierra Nevada. Its long been an ambition of mine to view the sunrise from Mulhacen's north face. This morning I got my wish and it didn't disappoint!
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It's a long time since I had a pre dawn start in the mountains and I had forgotten how wonderful an experience it was moving at first light.
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Making a Splash - River walk at Albunuelas, Lecrin ValleyA superb way to spend a hot summers day! Walking up the river gorge outside The village of Albuñuelas in the Lecrin Valley near Granada, Spain.
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Cerro de los Machos, Sierra NevadaYesterday's trip into the dramatic Corral del Veleta. Still plenty of snow remaining. A steep climb up to the wonderful viewpoint of Cerro de los Machos.
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The Northern 3000m peaks of the Sierra NevadaAn amazing 2 day trek covering the northern 3000m peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Circular walk to camp at Lavaderos de la Reina and next day over the northern mountains
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Cerro de Caballo, Sierra NevadaYesterdays walk up Europe's most south westerly 3000m peak, the Cerro de Caballo. The old legs feel a bit tired today, my first time at altitude since the heart problems and definitely struggled getting enough oxygen circulating through the body. Must go even slower next time!
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Woke up at 2am yesterday evening with head filled with the previous days events. A particular memory came flowing back. For some strange reason the words started to flow and I had to write them down. Is it poetry? Is it prose? The words don't rhyme. So here it is.
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Exploring Andalucia with the Nomads - the first 11 tripsDuring the onset of the Covid crisis in 2020, I decided to form a small local walking group. The objective was simple, weekly walking & meeting people once lock down restrictions were lifted. I named the group "Alpujarra Nomads". We go all over Andalucia in our search for nature & mountains!
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Walking in the Footsteps of the Moors in the AlpujarrasDescribes a walk alongside ancient irrigation channels originally installed by the Moors high above the town of Lanjaron in the Alpujarra
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Water, Water, Everywhere in the AlpujarrasIn the UK we just got out the hosepipe and watered everything. It was easy. Just turn a tap. Not as easy in a hot country like Spain where water is at a premium. This is how we water our land in southern Spain.
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Trips to the wild and windswept Patagonian IcefieldA summary of our expeditions to the Southern Patagonian Icefields
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A Collection of My Favourite Mountaineering QuotesSome of the best ones are here, some happy, some sad. But mountaineering quotations that will make you think!
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Debilitating effects of Snowblindness, a personal experienceMy own personal experience of the effects of becoming snow blind, after a tough time on the Patagonian Icecap
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A collection of emails sent home in the early days of my arrival in Spain. In late 2002 packed up my pickup truck with my worldly possessions and Rocky, my black Labrador and headed south. The first place we came to was Lanjarón in the Alpujarras.
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The Road to Self Sufficency, AlpujarrasWe are not naturals at the self-sufficiency game. Were not experts either. But, it is fun and there is a certain satisfaction at growing your own!
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Investigating My Grandfather’s Part in World War OneI have kept sane during the enforced Covid19 lock down by getting involved in projects that normally I wouldn't have time to complete. One such project is researching my grandfathers role in World War One. Below is a summary of my research including battle maps
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Queen Boudica (Boadicea) of the Iceni was my 66th Grandmother!Yes, it's true! I came from Granny Boadicea. My 66th Grandmother in fact. Here is the research done by my father establishing that. Thanks Dad.
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Deliverance (The Sequel) - In The Wilderness No One Can Hear You ScreamSo there we were. A nice warm day, no clouds. What to do? So why not try that flat topped mountain that we can just see from our house that's in an unknown and remote location?
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Oh, Patagonia, to leave you we shall weepBrilliant Poem by Michelle Wakeley about her time spent on our 2010 Southern Patagonian Icecap Expedition
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The Cameron Clan - speculation as to the story and heritage of our familyMy father spent many years researching his Cameron Ancestry. In the days before the internet this meant studying documents in churches, schools and official buildings. Most of what he found is fact but there were some gaps that he tried to fill with speculation
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2011 - Reflections on a year in the mountains2011 has been unforgettable in so many ways. There were ups and downs, of course (it is the mountains after all…..ha ha!), but experiences in the Sierra Nevada and Patagonia have shown me some insights I thought I’d share with you
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Rocky the Labrador. First dog, faithful friend, never forgottenSadly my first ever dog, Rocky, died on Friday 22nd May 2009 after losing a battle with the horrible disease, Leishmaniasis. He was a great dog and faithful companion
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Patagonian Icecap Expedition 2016The expedition was beset by unsettled weather and enforced route changes due to unseasonal warm weather.
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The Importance of Teamwork on an ExpeditionThere is no room for individuals if you plan to visit wild, untamed mountain wilderness. Every day can have it’s own challenges and difficulties. Teamwork is everything!
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Expedition Trip Report Patagonian Icecap November 2014Trip report, personal thoughts and recommendations after this years expedition to the Patagonian Icecap
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Kamchatka Part 6 - Last few days in RussiaTrip report from day 6 of our expedition to ski the highest volcanoes in Kamchatka
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Kamchatka Part 5 - The escape and a very long bus rideTrip report from day 5 of our expedition to ski the highest volcanoes in Kamchatka
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Kamchatka Part 4 - Deteriorating weatherTrip report from day 4 of our expedition to ski the highest volcanoes in Kamchatka
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Kamchatka Part 3 - Waiting for a weather window at base campTrip report from day 3 of our expedition to ski the highest volcanoes in Kamchatka
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Kamchatka Part 2 - Leaving Klyuchi and emergency campTrip report from day 2 of our expedition to ski the highest volcanoes in Kamchatka
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Kamchatka Part 1 - Getting thereTrip report from day 1 of our expedition to ski the highest volcanoes in Kamchatka
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Surviving Blizzards in KamchatkaKiersten and I were packed close together for warmth, huddled in a tent in the middle of the night. Outside the blizzard was raging with air temps -30C and winds of over 100kph. Our hopes of climbing Klyuchevskaya Sopka were dashed. Welcome to Kamchatka
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Lounging at the Altar of the Patagonian Mountain GodsIt’s a tough trek to the Cirque de los Altares in Patagonia. The outcome is never certain. Raging rivers, complex moraines, huge glaciers and of course the constant battering from the prevailing westerly winds provide the main obstacles.
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A land far, far away with fire breathing mountains waiting to be skied!Our expedition to Kamchatka in 2013 to ski Klyutchevskoy Sopka was an unforgettable mountain experience. Hard, tough, weather against us. But we loved it!
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Un mulo, dos arrieros, dos perros y tres montañerosWith the humble effort of a mule, 2 drovers and 4 mountaineers. If all who use the refuge care and respect it. Keep it, the lake and the environment clean. Take our garbage and leave the window and door locked when we leave. We will continue to have shelter for many years to come
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Night on a bare mountain in the Sierra NevadaSometimes it takes a great effort to leave the comfort of one's home and head for the cold, icy peaks. Some hardship though, is always rewarded by the mountains.
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A Little Piece Of Green in A Far And Distant Land
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We have to keep going, we are beyond the point of no return and safety lies ahead of us not behind us. Non of us have ever experienced anything like the 36 hours that that we lived through.