Lazing on a Sunday afternoon.
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I never get sick of this place. Lovely light tonight
#lovelanjaron #Spain #Light #Andalucia #Landscape #landscapephotography
Highest mountain in mainland Spain, Mulhacén, 3482m, this morning with snow blowing from the summit in the strong winds. Snow level 2500m.
Always nice to see the first snows of the winter arrive here in the Sierra Nevada. Here is a photo from 2500m at the ski area. The mountains change from summer to winter in an extremely short period, one week it's sun, t-shirts and shorts and the next its full winter kit and blizzards. Part of the attraction for me.
Couldn't resist it. I have a new camera, an A7Cii. Has to be Sony given the amount I've invested in their cameras and lenses over the last 5 years. I won't bore you with the details but suffice to say that a full frame 33MP camera with superb 28-60 kit lens, AI recognition system, advanced processor etc, yet weighing just over 600 grams really appealed for backpacking trips.
Now to gather together all my old APS-C gear - A6400, lenses, accessories etc to sell.
Poor weather up high today so our hiking group settled for a simple circular walk up to the Ermita Santo Cristo del Zapato above the village of Pinos de Valle in the Lecrin Valley.
Has anybody used one of these from https://www.flipfuel.co/?
"What is FlipFuel?"
"Brought to you by backpackers to solve a simple problem. What do I do with this box of partial fuel containers I won't take on a trip? Now you can easily consolidate your backpacking fuel & recycle the empty fuel canisters. "
I must admit, I went ahead and purchased one anyway as they seem a great way to consolidate fuel, especially for this weight obsessed ageing backpacker!
#backpacking #hiking
Stunning sunset tonight above Lanjarón
Great Explorers: H. W. Tilman
'As a dedicated technophobe, I’ve always felt a certain kinship with the English explorer H.W. Tilman (1898-1977), who would have thrown a GPS into the trash, assuming he ever had one. On his mountaineering expeditions, he engaged in alpine-style climbing and refused to bring any oxygen equipment with him, while in his seafaring trips, his boats carried no technical devices other than a compass, a sextant, and a short-wave radio"
Picos de Europa - day 5
Spectacular morning departure from the Refugio Jermoso with cloud inversion until this all cleared at the Las Colladinas. Then it was a rough descent to the green, lush valley of the Vega de Liordes before bad weather arrived. Beautiful views of surrounding mountain summits. We past some ancient mines before descending steep zig-zags back to Fuente Dé. How on earth did they make that incredible path?
#mountains #walking #hiking #landscapes #landscapephotography #spain
Picos de Europa - day 4/5 Evening sunset and morning cloud inversion
At the Refugio Collado Jermoso conditions were almost perfect for enjoying the beautiful sunset and stunning early morning cloud inversions. This is a beautiful mountain refuge if you ever get the opportunity to stay here.
#mountains #walking #hiking #landscapes #landscapephotography #spain #sunsets
Picos de Europa day 4 - to the Refugio Collado Jermoso
From the top of the Fuente Dé cable car we had to hike 8km with 1000m of ascent over the mountains to the west, crossing the Colladina de las Nieves and the small passes at Las Colladinas. This is a very spectacular walk although care would be needed in mist as the trail is quite rocky. Arrival at the beautifully situated refuge is always a joy to behold.
#mountains #walking #hiking #landscape #landscapephotography #spain
Been out today enjoying the Alpujarra villages of La Taha with a group of American visitors hiking with author Chris Stewart (Driving Over Lemons).
Picos de Europa day 3 - Refugio Cabaña Verónica and Torre de Horcados Rojos
We used the cable car from Fuente Dé for access to the high mountains. A spectacular hike to the remarkable Refugio Cabaña Verónica, perched precariously on a rocky ridge. Then a loose scramble up from a col to the fine summit off the Torre de Horcados Rojos (2503m), seemingly overlooking the world!
#mountains #walking #hiking #landscape #landscapephotography #spain
Picos de Europa day 2 - Sotres to Tielve
We did this hike as the holiday weekend crowds had closed the road to the Urriellu area. This was an impromptu alternative. Glad we did it as it gave us a glimpse of pretty alpine meadows and sleepy hamlets with distant views to the dramatic Naranja de Bulnes and other peaks. Too hot to complete the circular from Tielve so we sat in a bar instead and had some cold drinks.
#mountains #walking #hiking #landscape #landscapephotography #spain
Picos de Europa day 1 - The Garganta de Cares
We set off in the dark to catch the first of the sun's rays entering the gorge. This is an out and back route from Poncebos (26km), unless transport can be arranged at Caín de Valdeon (where there is a nice bar!).
The gorge is utterly spectacular and dramatic, but was rather overcrowded on our Friday walk. An early start will reward when the light isn't so harsh.
#mountains #walking #hiking #landscape #landscapephotography #spain
I apologise if my timeline for the next week is filled with landscapes and scenes from the mountains of the Picos de Europa. I have only just been able to get the images off camera (I know, I'm a bit old school that way!).
The mountains here completely blew me away! Anyway, here's a sample from the week to come. Dramatic peaks, cloud inversions, narrow gorges and beautiful alpine meadows.
#mountains #walking #hiking #landscape #landscapephotography #spain
And this is the beautifully situated Refugio Collado Jermoso in the Picos de Europa. A proper, "old school", refuge. Cosy, a bit cramped, but very friendly with great food and all at a really fair price. I loved my stay here so much I do feel impelled to write a blog post about mountain refuges. But ... that's for another day. If you ever get chance to stay here, just do it.
#mountains #walking #hiking #landscape #landscapephotography #spain
Love this on the wall of the Refugio Collado Jermoso in the mountains of the Picos de Europa.
"We don't have WiFi, talk to each other" 🤣
Like a scene from "Lord of the Rings", today we enjoyed the spectacular delights of the Garganta de Cares gorge in the Picos de Europa. We missed breakfast and set off in the dark to catch the morning sun entering the gorge. Turned into a very warm hike which later needed copious amounts of cold beer in compensation.
#Spain #Hiking #Walking #landscapephotograhy #Mountains #gorges #landscapes
Ed Viesturs responds to the attempt to rewrite history. A classy reaction from a highly regarded human:
“I truly believe that Reinhold Messner was the first person to climb all 14 8000ers and should still be recognized as having done so. He lead the way, not only in style, but also physically and psychologically, by climbing without supplemental oxygen.
Other climbers, such as me, were able to follow in his footsteps by his inspiration.
1/2
Had a great day yesterday with a group of returning friends from Northern Ireland. Intent on doing Stage 7 of the "Gran Senda de Málaga" from Canillas de Aceituno to Cómpeta, but bailed out at Salares due to the heat.
Loved the sign that warned "You have to be really fit and an expert in extreme trekking tough paths with difficult slopes and dangers as to fell into the abyss"
Been hanging around here today. The "Puente Colgante de El Saltillo" at Canillas de Aceituno in the Sierra de Almijara. An entertaining gorge walk.
#hiking #walking #bridges #spain #landscape #landscapephotography
Last night I stayed in the pretty town of Cómpeta, so that today I'm around early to join a group hiking in the Sierra de Almijara. This scene is typical of the villages in this area
Busy preparing my kit for next Thursday and the start of our week long holiday to the Picos de Europa, including another visit to the marvellous, Refugio Jermoso (photo). I love this area, it's wild and the summits are not easy.
#mountains #Spain #Walking #Hiking #landscape #landscapephotography
Bit of a #BigSky hiking day yesterday in the Sierra de Huetor range north of Granada
#walking #hiking #spain #landscape #landscapephotography #skies
I'm a mountain person and my visits to the beach/sea, about 30 minutes away are very few and far between (years). Having said that my wife and daughters persuaded me to try kayaking today at Maro near Nerja on the Costa Tropical. Although out of my comfort zone, I enjoyed it and glad it was a bit rough as it made it more interesting. Here's a short video. Did I like it enough to buy a kayak though? 🤔 Sorry about the crappy music 😂
Nice to be out with my two daughters yesterday. They joined a group I was out with above the Hoya del Portillo in Spain's Sierra Nevada. Lovely day, nice temperatures and the predicted afternoon storms didn't materialise.
#Spain #Andalucia #Hiking #walking #landscape #landscapephotography
The Rio Bermejo cascading down over the waterfall of Tajos Cortes above Pitres in Spain's Alpujarra hills.
#waterfalls #waterfallwednesday #landscape #landscapephotography #spain
Yesterday I used Organic Maps app on my phone as an aid to navigation. Worked really well, the maps are detailed enough for hiking without being clustered.
Biggest win for me was using completely offline, just location on. This meant I hardly used much battery in the 6 hours of usage.
It's #FOSS and based over Open Street Maps. I enjoyed it and got value out of it, so I donated to @organicmaps
Traditional "Tinaos" roofing construction, typical of the old villages of La Alpujarra, in the Spanish provinces of Almería and Granada. Photos of some from Pitres and Capilerilla
The "tinao" creates a covered space by arranging a structure of flat, locally sourced, beams and materials over the street
Views from my journey to work today. I say "work" rather loosely, as I'm retired but how can a day containing such views be really considered labour? In reality, I would work for free as walking in such scenery and showing people the beauty of the Alpujarra and the mountains is enough for me. Today with a group of Scots, Irish, English and Norwegians all enjoying the day. For me, it's truly a labour of love.
#Spain #walking #hiking #landscape #landscapephotography #SierraNevada
Good morning to you all from Lanjarón in the Alpujarras, Spain where it's building up to be another fine day after some early morning low cloud inversion. Enjoy your Sunday!
Enjoying this read by Cory Doctorow & can't put it down. Makes sense of the crazy online world we constantly visit but fail to comprehend. Shows us the way out of the "Big Tech" mire.
"The fight for a free, fair and open digital future isn’t more important than any other fight, but it is foundational. Tech is the terrain on which our future fights will be fought. If we can’t seize the means of computation, we will lose the fight before it is even joined."
One of our regular hikes during the spanish summer is up the Rio Santos in the Lecrin Valley, south of Granada. Year-round water means deep, dense vegetation more reminiscent of the Amazon than #Spain ! There are some small obstacles along the route, requiring easy scrambling but in general it's an easy half day hike in the cool air. Fantastic on a hot day and recommended if you are in the area.
#hiking #walking #spain #water #landscape #landscapephotography #waterfalls
Waterfalls in Rio Santos, Albuñuelas, Lecrin Valley, Granada, Spain
The Mountain Stream
Take a break from your journey And lie awhile beside the babbling brook
Senses burst with fresh sensations, as
Rays of sunlight dance across breaking waves
Orchestral notes play perfect harmony, and
Scent of wild flower and thyme fill the air
Hands caress well groomed grasses
Lips taste pure, ice cold waters Absorbing nature the heart slows down, so
Peace and tranquillity enter the soul
Maybe this old world ain't so bad at all?
I'm a bit late to the #Nostr party but the project certainly looks interesting and could possibly develop into some great future applications. Above all, I like the simplicity. One to be watched. Anyway if anybody wants to hook up there my credentials are below.
npub19l4e0mwjg45uj4dq5x06esatvy65qq8xgku4yfscz43x67j3jpmsvudv2s
[email protected]
Project: https://nostr.com
Storm clouds building over Lanjarón this evening. Much needed rain this evening and tomorrow hopefully
An amazingly fruity and mind blowing Sriracha salsa prepared by our best cheffie friend, Richard, from our own chillies, peppers and tomatoes. So good to have someone who really knows how to use our local produce. We can keep in the fridge for several months but somehow I don't think it will last that long!
Nice evening light over Lanjarón this evening
Well that was a first. I've been involved in a few rescues in my time, but never been asked to rescue two surfboards stuck in a gorge! They evidently got stuck yesterday when the high winds separated them from their owners car. The surfboards were none the worse for their ordeal 🤣
One time, before social media giants took over, blogs were everywhere. Now posts are lost in the social media morass a few days after posting.
I think it's important to write first and share socially later. For me, it's a record for family & friends. If others find some use from the words then great!
Anyway here is "Travelling ´Arse About Face´ in the Mountains". A rethinking of the way you approach your mountain trips and the benefits that that might bring.
https://elperronegro.com/posts/2023-08-26-alternative-overnight-mountain-travel-benefits/
The city of Granada, a heat haze and the stars above. From our bivouac Tozal del Cartujo 3152m
Our little bivouac spot on top of the mountain and under the stars. Not exactly salubrious but you wouldn't get me changing this for a night at the Hilton
Tozal del Cartujo (3152m), Sierra Nevada, Spain
#Mountains #backpacking #hiking #camping #landscape #landscapephotography #astrophotography
Just packing up for an overnight trip into the mountains that starts tomorrow. Pretty happy with the 4.8kg (10.5lb) overall base weight (with only camera and water to add). Problem is, we have no water en route tomorrow so I will have to carry at least 4 litres water to cover overnight cooking, drinking etc.
Can somebody please invent a powdered water that condenses on contact with air? 🤣🤣
Today's pepper harvest from the greenhouse (converted swimming pool 😀 ). Going to freeze this lot into bags ready for the winter
I love getting up in the mountains before the sun rises. Yes, it's usually cold but the scenes as the light changes make it more than worthwhile. Here's a few from the other morning as the sun hits the mountain faces and lines of ridges fade back into the distance. The upper world has light and the lower world shadow.
Also can you spot the bivouac? Believe me it's there below the NE face of Mulhacen 3482m.
#SierraNevada #Spain #Hiking #Backpacking #Landscape #landscapephotography #sunrise
Watching the sunset from the Collado de Siete Lagunas 3230m. The north east face/ridge of Mulhacen 3282m rising above.
#SierraNevada #Spain #Hiking #Backpacking #Landscape #landscapephotography #sunset
The Vasar de Mulhacen is my favourite mountain track in the Sierra Nevada. It crosses the spectacular north face of Mulhacen at half height. Seemingly sensationally exposed but the reality is that it is much easier than it looks, although you do need a head for heights. Only in one place are hands necessary.
Half way along the Vasar you get to meet the "Fuente del Viejo Lobo" where the finest water on the planet is to be found.
#backpacking #spain #hiking #landscape #landscapephotography
