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The lonesome tree! Puerto San Glorio, Picos de Europa

A threadbare tree stands in the middle of the snow. The snow surface has textures. The tree sens a shadow from the sun into the snow
A threadbare tree stands in the middle of the snow. The snow surface has textures. The tree sens a shadow from the sun into the snow

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Snowshoeing Picos de Europa. Day 3. Very windy up high so brilliant snowshoeing in deep powder through the forests near Fuente De and up to an unmanned refuge. Got back just as the rain arrived. Good timing is everything :dance_cool_doge:

A person in green jacket (me!) Cones down through a snowy forest in snowshoes
A person in green jacket (me!) Cones down through a snowy forest in snowshoes
A person with a blue hat snowshoes through a winter mountain scene. Behind him ate high mountains
A person with a blue hat snowshoes through a winter mountain scene. Behind him ate high mountains

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Snowshoeing Picos de Europa. Day 2. Beautiful day again today. Headed for the hills and forests around the high road pass at Puerto San Glorio. Glorious snow conditions. Maybe change in weather for tomorrow? Some phone photos attached.

A person in snowshoes with two dogs walks across a snow slope. There are three people up ahead in the distance. The sun shines out of a blue sky with a few clouds
A person in snowshoes with two dogs walks across a snow slope. There are three people up ahead in the distance. The sun shines out of a blue sky with a few clouds
A snowy trail leads off into the distance with a few shrubs either side if the trail
A snowy trail leads off into the distance with a few shrubs either side if the trail
A person in blue with two dogs enjoys a snowy trail. Ahead lie a range of mountains covered in snow and ice. Blue sky above
A person in blue with two dogs enjoys a snowy trail. Ahead lie a range of mountains covered in snow and ice. Blue sky above

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Snowshoeing in the Picos de Europa. Day 1. Perfect snow conditions. From Fuente De cable car station we needed snowshoes until we returned 6 hours later. Ascended to Colladina de las Nieves and up the peak of Padiorna (2314m). Only saw two other people on our route. Legs tired but ... just wonderful!

A person dressed in blue and in snowshoes is surrounded by snow and rugged high mountains. Blue sky above
A person dressed in blue and in snowshoes is surrounded by snow and rugged high mountains. Blue sky above
A person dressed in blue and in snowshoes is surrounded by snow and rugged high mountains. Blue sky above
A person dressed in blue and in snowshoes is surrounded by snow and rugged high mountains. Blue sky above
A person dressed in blue and in snowshoes is surrounded by snow and rugged high mountains. Blue sky above
A person dressed in blue and in snowshoes is surrounded by snow and rugged high mountains. Blue sky above

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Visited the quaint, medieval town of Santillana del Mar today in Cantabria. The town is famous for its three lies ...
1. It's not by the Sea!
2. It's not flat!
3. It's definitely not saintly!

A narrow cobbled mediaeval street in northern Spain with olde worldly shops
A narrow cobbled mediaeval street in northern Spain with olde worldly shops
Peering through a broken fence to reveal a hidden green garden
Peering through a broken fence to reveal a hidden green garden
A narrow cobbled mediaeval street in northern Spain with olde worldly shops
A narrow cobbled mediaeval street in northern Spain with olde worldly shops

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Although my diet is primarily plant based food, sometimes I wake up in a morning and ... well, you've just got to do it don't you? :sablobsmilehappy:

A plate of typical engligh breakfast food. Egg, bacon, tomato, mushroom, beans and sausage
A plate of typical engligh breakfast food. Egg, bacon, tomato, mushroom, beans and sausage

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I always get excited packing for a trip. Next week we are heading to the winter Picos de Europa mountain range in the north of Spain. They have just had mega snowfalls and more is to come this weekend, so we are looking forward to the snowshoeing and winter hiking/mountaineering to be had. I was there last autumn and the mountain scenery just blew me away.

packstack.io has been really helpful in getting hold baggage and carry on bags organised with the gear. Impressed!

A pair of blue snowshoes with red bindings
A pair of blue snowshoes with red bindings

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After negotiating our way through the narrow streets of Molvizar we headed steeply uphill in a tough, hour long, battle against the strong winds. That all changed when we started the traverse to the Mirador de Las Minas and Mirador el Nacimiento. Lovely warm sunshine and light winds. We ate lunch looking out over the Mediterranean Sea before heading south to a welcoming cold beer back in the town.

A group of hikers wander along a trail. In front of them lies the Mediterranean sea with a couple of ships on it.
A group of hikers wander along a trail. In front of them lies the Mediterranean sea with a couple of ships on it.
A pair of feet look out over an expansive view of green hills and towns. The Mediterranean Sea lies in the distance
A pair of feet look out over an expansive view of green hills and towns. The Mediterranean Sea lies in the distance
Hikers in the lower part of the image pass through green shrubbery. Above lies some steep yellowish rock cliffs and escarpments
Hikers in the lower part of the image pass through green shrubbery. Above lies some steep yellowish rock cliffs and escarpments
A group of tired hikers enjoys a cool beer outside a small town bar
A group of tired hikers enjoys a cool beer outside a small town bar

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Today, I'm trying out "Packstack", a packing list builder for backpackers. Get a detailed, categorized weight breakdown of everything in your pack. Quite impressed so far.

You can track all your trail equipment and input details such as weight, manufacturer info etc. Additionally, you can categorize your gear to keep things organized.

I was able to import a packing list from Lighterpack. Easy to adjust. So far so good.

packstack.io/


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Dueling Ibex, La Campiñuela

Two Spanish Ibex stand and are about to clash heads next to a small mountain hut
Two Spanish Ibex stand and are about to clash heads next to a small mountain hut

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A tiring but worthwhile day today watering our olive trees the old way by flooding the land via the ancient system of irrigation channels. Fulfilling!

A water channel winds it way between olive trees on a grassy green terrace
A water channel winds it way between olive trees on a grassy green terrace
Water drops over from one terrace to another. The lower water channel winds it way between olive trees on a grassy green terrace
Water drops over from one terrace to another. The lower water channel winds it way between olive trees on a grassy green terrace
A water channel winds it way between olive trees on a grassy green terrace
A water channel winds it way between olive trees on a grassy green terrace
A water channel winds it way between olive trees on a grassy green terrace
A water channel winds it way between olive trees on a grassy green terrace

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Came across a strange phenomenon that I haven't seen in 25 years of coming to the Sierra Nevada. Last weeks overnight snowfall was followed by days of sun, heat and high humidity. This caused streams to overflow and carry blocks of snow/ice downstream resulting in avalanche like debris surrounding stream beds. Strange to see avalanche-like debris on very easy angled or even flat slopes.

A stream bed has avalanched leaving blocks of snow above
A stream bed has avalanched leaving blocks of snow above
Blocks of snow remain on a level snow covered plateau. Blue sky above
Blocks of snow remain on a level snow covered plateau. Blue sky above
Large blocks of snow/ice have been moved downstream by overflowing streams
Large blocks of snow/ice have been moved downstream by overflowing streams

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A few images from the Tajos Campanario ridge in Spain's Sierra Nevada today. Some hard neve on sheltered slopes made for a great crampon ascent. By the time we came to the steep descent gully the snow had softened a touch to give a quick descent to the upper San Juan valley. Memorable views throughout.

The magnificent north west face of Alcazaba (3350m) with a mountaineer in orange jacket in the foreground.
The magnificent north west face of Alcazaba (3350m) with a mountaineer in orange jacket in the foreground.
A group of mountaineering at the bottom of the image contemplate their way along the the snowy ridge ahead. Some big drops and high mountains to the left
A group of mountaineering at the bottom of the image contemplate their way along the the snowy ridge ahead. Some big drops and high mountains to the left
Four mountaineers dressed in colorful clothing make their way across some snow. Ahead lies a ridge leading to a jagged mountain
Four mountaineers dressed in colorful clothing make their way across some snow. Ahead lies a ridge leading to a jagged mountain

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Been out in the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada with this lot today. A superb day with great snow conditions. Photos later when I have been fed 🤣

Five happy, smiling faces wearing helmets, are enjoying their day out in the snowy mountains
Five happy, smiling faces wearing helmets, are enjoying their day out in the snowy mountains

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OpenAI collapses media reality with Sora, a photorealistic AI video generator

Scary stuff imo

arstechnica.com/information-te


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Stunning sunset lenticular cloud over Lanjarón this evening.

A huge orange/red coloured lens shaped cloud hovers above a small spanish town lying in the shade beneath it.
A huge orange/red coloured lens shaped cloud hovers above a small spanish town lying in the shade beneath it.

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Day 1 we arrive at the place where we hope to see the rarest cat in the world, the Iberian Lynx. Immediately Mick spots a lynx. We pour excitedly out of the car, grabbing binoculars & cameras. 1st attempt at a photo fails because I've left lens cap on. 2nd fails as the camera settings all wrong. Managed to get photo just as the lynx ... is heading into a bushy area never to re-emerge. Doh! Anyway, here is a photo of the arse end of a lynx 🤣🤣🤣

The rear end of an Iberian Lynx is sticking out of a green bushy area
The rear end of an Iberian Lynx is sticking out of a green bushy area

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I'm here in the middle of nowhere in the mountains of the Sierra de Andujar north of Bailen. Hoping to see Lynx in the wild tomorrow. Fingers crossed 🤞


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There's a spark inside all of us that makes us want to explore. To go to places others don't. Fill in blanks on a map. It was definitely there with early explorers, climbers conquering un-climbed peaks and pioneers crossing vast lands. That spark, not always be active, remains within all of us.

During our recent hike in the amazing "Desierto de Gorafe" badlands, just north of Guadix, that spark ignited once again amongst our ageing group.

elperronegro.com/posts/2024-02


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If I ask Graeme, my fellow hiking buddy, to go stand on the edge of a huge drop, he always does, bless him. He is my go-to poseur when I need a bit of scale in photos. One day I will make an album of "Graeme" images. Here is a photo of Graeme in the badlands of the Gorafe Desert 😄. Cheers mate!

An isolated hiker stands in the top left of the photo. below and to the right is a huge drop into a twisted and tortured desert badlands terrain
An isolated hiker stands in the top left of the photo. below and to the right is a huge drop into a twisted and tortured desert badlands terrain

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The Desierto de Gorafe badlands yesterday. Magnificent walking country!

A small group of hikers walks along a wide path in the upper left of the image. Below and to the right is a  mix of orange cliffs and crags that lead into a valley. Badlands!
A small group of hikers walks along a wide path in the upper left of the image. Below and to the right is a mix of orange cliffs and crags that lead into a valley. Badlands!

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After a long day driving and hiking yesterday, the last thing I needed was to be stuck in traffic whilst passing through Granada.

Farmers tractors blocking the motorways and protesting against subsidy cutbacks. This is happening throughout Europe (unless you just watch the BBC in which case you probably don't know this).

Was I upset or irritated by my 45 minute delay? Not in the least. We must support farming communities. Without farmers we are lost. No farmers, no food!


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The dark recesses of the beautiful waterfall below Conchar today.

A huge waterfall drops down into a dark, green valley with lichen covered rocks.
A huge waterfall drops down into a dark, green valley with lichen covered rocks.

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The Acequia Mezquerina waterfalls in full flow yesterday

Some waterfalls drop down various short steps whilst lush green shrubs line the sides of the flow
Some waterfalls drop down various short steps whilst lush green shrubs line the sides of the flow

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My experience of how the OMM Core Hoodie fares as one layer of a 3 layer adjustable, flexible and lightweight mountain clothing option

"The OMM Core Hoodie may be designed for mountain athletes, trail runners and fastpackers who sole aim to travel light and fast in the hills. Let me tell you, it also works for slow, ageing plodders with dodgy knees who can't carry much weight on their backs!"

A recommended piece of kit!

elperronegro.com/posts/2024-01


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The Cerro de Caballo (3009m) in Spain's Sierra Nevada comes out of the cloud above the hills between Albuñuelas and Lentegí.

Lots of trees and shrubs in the foreground are split by a wide firebreak. Behind these green hills rises a snow covered mountain
Lots of trees and shrubs in the foreground are split by a wide firebreak. Behind these green hills rises a snow covered mountain

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A memory from 2016. One of those stormy days when the blizzards don't allow you to leave your tent. You end up doing selfies! 🤣😆🤣

Too people lie head to head in a tent whilst a blizzard rages outside
Too people lie head to head in a tent whilst a blizzard rages outside

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This is a trailer for the Wilderness - Patagonia series with Simon Reeve. Brought back so many memories from 2016 as, after 3 days on the trail, he approached the Marconi Pass and the entrance to the Patagonian Icecap. Quite emotional as I'm sure it will be for anybody who has had the fortune to visit this magnificent place.

youtu.be/yjih0vYjOaY?feature=s


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I am back for a week in the UK visiting family. Feel a bit like a fish out of water. It's all rather strange and alien. And ... flat 🤣


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Fully agree with this interesting article by @jeena. The fun has gone out of surfing through the internet and discovering weird and wonderful things. Sanitisation has occurred.

jeena.net/content-is-king


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Just taken receipt of my new summer day pack, a custom made, handcrafted, 20 litre "Atelier Longue Distance" from France.

Seems really well made and just as per my specification. Weighing under 500g, including 4 vest pockets, 3 main compartments & a bottom pocket. I'm delighted to be able to support a small cottage company that produces quality gear. Will let you know how it performs in due course.

atelierlonguedistance.fr/

A black and white backpack sits on the back of a person with a blue t-shirt
A black and white backpack sits on the back of a person with a blue t-shirt

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Our husky, Arko, is a bit of a clown, especially when he's pinched the sofa! 🤡 😂

An upside down face of a husky dog lying on a sofa
An upside down face of a husky dog lying on a sofa

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Practice day on crampons and ice axe for us today. No matter how often you have done this, it's still good to practice. Enjoyable too. Coming up the slopes out of the Barranco de San Juan, Sierra Nevada

Three people are climbing up a steep snow slope. Behind them dark skies bring the onset of bad weather
Three people are climbing up a steep snow slope. Behind them dark skies bring the onset of bad weather
Three people are climbing up a steep snow slope on the right of the photo. Behind them rise other mountains covered in snow and ice
Three people are climbing up a steep snow slope on the right of the photo. Behind them rise other mountains covered in snow and ice

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Out with the gang in the snow today. Bit breezy and not a lot of sunshine but a great day out nevertheless

5 people all with helmets and dark glasses it in the snow in the mountains
5 people all with helmets and dark glasses it in the snow in the mountains

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Huge lenticular clouds building up in the mountains. High winds and possibly some bad weather to come

Hills and fields of shrub and farmland are overshadowed by some huge clouds that form into lenticular shapes in the sky
Hills and fields of shrub and farmland are overshadowed by some huge clouds that form into lenticular shapes in the sky

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After many years of using spreadsheets, I've started using Lighterpack lighterpack.com/ to record and control my backpacking gear lists. Works pretty well. Just wondered if anybody could recommend any other alternative software for thru hiking gear lists?


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A few images from my trip into the Spanish Sierra Nevada mountains last Friday with @khusky

A person in a sky blue jacket moves along a small snow covered path carrying an ice axe and hiking pole. To the left a cliff edge is shown
A person in a sky blue jacket moves along a small snow covered path carrying an ice axe and hiking pole. To the left a cliff edge is shown
A person in blue with a yellow and black rucksack makes first tracks along a snow covered path. To the right is a valley and then a much larger snow covered mountain rises
A person in blue with a yellow and black rucksack makes first tracks along a snow covered path. To the right is a valley and then a much larger snow covered mountain rises
A person in a sky blue jacket moves along a small snow covered path carrying an ice axe and hiking pole. Behind are some higher snow covered mountains with blue sky above
A person in a sky blue jacket moves along a small snow covered path carrying an ice axe and hiking pole. Behind are some higher snow covered mountains with blue sky above
A person in a sky blue jacket moves along a small snow covered path on the left. Above and to the right is a large snowy mountain with some small forested sections.
A person in a sky blue jacket moves along a small snow covered path on the left. Above and to the right is a large snowy mountain with some small forested sections.

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First tracks in a winter wonderland! 🙂

Tracks in the snow on the left lead up to a mountain summit
Tracks in the snow on the left lead up to a mountain summit
Tracks in the snow on the right lead up to a mountain summit
Tracks in the snow on the right lead up to a mountain summit
A bare snow slope glints with ice in the early morning sun. Some cornices line the upper right edge of the image
A bare snow slope glints with ice in the early morning sun. Some cornices line the upper right edge of the image
Tracks in the snow coming in from the left lead directly towards the viewer
Tracks in the snow coming in from the left lead directly towards the viewer

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As a young lad I was very lucky to be here. Bowies last but one ever concert as Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Seems a long, long time ago. And, look at the price 🤣

An old tickets from a David Bowie concert in 1973
An old tickets from a David Bowie concert in 1973

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A few from today's excursion into Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains. Once away from the ski area we saw nobody all day and had to make our own tracks through the snow. Varying conditions, some hardpack, some breakable crust, some ankle deep powder. Crampons and ice axe essential. Superb day with brilliant mountain views

A person follows a solitary pair of tracks up a snow covered hillside. A long shadow comes out of the snow to the right of the person. Above are the indications of mountain summits. Bright blue skies.
A person follows a solitary pair of tracks up a snow covered hillside. A long shadow comes out of the snow to the right of the person. Above are the indications of mountain summits. Bright blue skies.
A person descends a snow slope from right to left. Behind are snow covered mountains
A person descends a snow slope from right to left. Behind are snow covered mountains
A person dressed in a pale blue jacket descend a slope from the right towards a small summit with a large cairn on. Behind rises a big mountain
A person dressed in a pale blue jacket descend a slope from the right towards a small summit with a large cairn on. Behind rises a big mountain
A person follows footprints in the snow to the right of the image. The person is beneath a large boulder covered in snow. To the left the cliff drops off vertically
A person follows footprints in the snow to the right of the image. The person is beneath a large boulder covered in snow. To the left the cliff drops off vertically

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After 2 winters with either health problems, poor snow conditions or just plain bad luck, it was nice to get back into the high Sierra Nevada again. I forgot just how much I love this environment and how comfortable I feel here. Good to be back!

I apologise in advance, as there might just be quite a few snowy mountain shots heading to the timeline over the next few days! 😂

A person (me) with a yellow hat and blue jacket and trousers is walking down a snowfield with an ice axe in one hand and a walking pole in the other.
A person (me) with a yellow hat and blue jacket and trousers is walking down a snowfield with an ice axe in one hand and a walking pole in the other.

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Today I've been hiking in an area that was badly burnt during a severe wildfire in September 2022. It is so refreshing and inspiring to see plant life recovering and new growth coming through.

Some burnt tree stumps come out of rocky ground whilst new green plant growth starts to appear. Snow mountains behind
Some burnt tree stumps come out of rocky ground whilst new green plant growth starts to appear. Snow mountains behind
Out of a barren and burnt hillside some lush green cactus type plants start to emerge
Out of a barren and burnt hillside some lush green cactus type plants start to emerge

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Bonnie and Clyde 😂 Sorry, Rita and Arko

A husky and a white shepherd mix dog stand high above a town with snow covered mountains behind
A husky and a white shepherd mix dog stand high above a town with snow covered mountains behind
Two dogs trot along a dirt road with some mountains behind
Two dogs trot along a dirt road with some mountains behind

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Lot of snow loss below 2500 metres in Spain's Sierra Nevada. Strange really as temperatures have remained cold. Here a view of the Río Lanjarón valley leading up to the Cerro de Caballo 3009m. To the right is Cerrillo Redondo 2912m and Las Alegas 2700m

A dirt road in the foreground leads the eye to the mountains behind which become snow covered towards the summits
A dirt road in the foreground leads the eye to the mountains behind which become snow covered towards the summits

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The Perils and Pleasures of Bartending in

At the South Pole, the freezer is just a hole in the wall to the ice outside

atlasobscura.com/articles/bart


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Beautiful late afternoon skies over Lanjarón tonight.

Colorful orange and gray storm clouds dominate the skies over a spanish town
Colorful orange and gray storm clouds dominate the skies over a spanish town

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At long last we've had some much needed rain, falling as snow above 2000m. Here is the town of Lanjarón seen a few minutes ago with threatening, but very welcoming, rain clouds gathering. Small rainbow showing too

A small town sits in sunlight on a small plateau. Above are dark rain clouds with a small rainbow on the upper right hand side
A small town sits in sunlight on a small plateau. Above are dark rain clouds with a small rainbow on the upper right hand side

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Well that's been quite a tough few days coding for this very enthusiastic but amateur developer. Anyway, managed to get "webmentions" working on my @eleventy based blog.

elperronegro.com/

Thanks to a whole heap of people but especially @sia and this article

sia.codes/posts/webmentions-el

and also @mxbck and this article

mxb.dev/blog/using-webmentions


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Here's a few of my very favorite mountaineering quotes . Some good ones here, including ...

"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment." (Evan Hardin)

"If you don't let go, you can't fall off!" (Jerry Moffatt)

More at ... elperronegro.com/posts/2021-01


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A very productive day yesterday. Amongst many other tasks, I have been embedding my mastodon server feed into my website using gitlab.com/idotj/mastodon-embe

elperronegro.com/toots/

Next job is to form a of interesting personal blogs about the web, mountains, backpacking or nature. Any recommendations for me to look at?


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