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Amazing what can be done these days. The doctor today connecting via Bluetooth to my pacemaker/defibrillator and making small adjustments, some of which I could instantly feel the change. Although I'm very active, hike, climb mountains etc I am so very, very lucky to have this back up "system" in place. No idea why he rolled his trouser leg up though :sablobsmilehappy:

A doctor sits at a table looking at a computer screen while a patient's head is on a bed to the right
A doctor sits at a table looking at a computer screen while a patient's head is on a bed to the right

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Arko, our husky/malmute cross, just about to take off 😂

A black and white husky cross about to take off and jump over a fast flowing stream
A black and white husky cross about to take off and jump over a fast flowing stream

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Good morning all, from a beautiful Sunday morning here in the Alpujarras

The morning sun illuminates the to and right of the image which shoes green fields and hillsides. The left has some steep cliffs in dark shadow
The morning sun illuminates the to and right of the image which shoes green fields and hillsides. The left has some steep cliffs in dark shadow

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A nice sight to see. Water flowing down the "acequias" (irrigation channel) this morning, illuminated by the morning sun.

A cascade of water tumbling down a mountain side.The sun illuminates the water at the top. To the left and right are green banks of shrub
A cascade of water tumbling down a mountain side.The sun illuminates the water at the top. To the left and right are green banks of shrub

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Atmospheric! Rain and clouds clearing over Lanjarón.

A town on the right emerges from low lying rain clouds set in layers above the town
A town on the right emerges from low lying rain clouds set in layers above the town

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I've read a lot about the early polar explorers, Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton etc. One that passed me by until recently was Douglas Mawson. "This Accursed Land" tells how Mawson declined to join Scott's ill-fated British expedition & instead lead a team to explore the far eastern coastline of the Antarctic continent. A gripping and well told story of his lone struggle for survival, starving, poisoned, exhausted and indescribably cold. Recommended reading.

A book cover which shows a figure pulling a sled across a snow filled white landscape
A book cover which shows a figure pulling a sled across a snow filled white landscape

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It may be cold and dark early but we do continue to get some wonderful sunset shows. Got to be quick though because they don't last long

The sky is covered with orange cloud tinged with yellow by the setting sun. Patches of blue sky still show through. Outline of some trees and to the bottom right the lights of a town are seen
The sky is covered with orange cloud tinged with yellow by the setting sun. Patches of blue sky still show through. Outline of some trees and to the bottom right the lights of a town are seen

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3 Dec 2010. Patagonian Icecap. Probably my most difficult mountain day ever. I remember well the exhaustion and tiredness and also the relief when we were able to retreat the following day, albeit a touch snow blind.

"Blizzards, snowdrifts, gales, frostbite, snow-blindness, buried tents, floods, hardship, cold, sleepless nights. It must be summer then in deepest Patagonia 😀 "

A ferocious snow blizzard hits some mountaineers and their tents on the Patagonian Icecap

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Stunning sunset tonight

Bottom left is the outline of a spanish town at dusk. Above some mountains and dark clouds surrounded by a colorful sunset of orange and yellow
Bottom left is the outline of a spanish town at dusk. Above some mountains and dark clouds surrounded by a colorful sunset of orange and yellow

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Really enjoyed reading Colin Haley's blog on his winter solo attempt on Cerro Torre's west face. Some incredible photography too!

colinhaley.com/a-frigid-spanki

A winter mountain landscape with sunlit orange cliffs and white snow
A winter mountain landscape with sunlit orange cliffs and white snow

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Sad to hear of Shane's passing. Some lyrics from one of my favs

[Pre-Chorus]
We walked him to the station in the rain
We kissed him as we put him on the train
And we sang him a song of times long gone
Though we knew that we'd be seeing him again (Far away!)

[Chorus]
I'm sad to say I must be on my way
So buy me beer or whiskey, 'cause I'm going far away (Far away!)
I'd like to think of me returning when I can
To the greatest little boozer and to Sally MacLennane


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Yesterdays walk. Acequia Mezquerina - Tello - Acequia Nueva - Bordaila - Lanjaron - BAR! 15km, 650m ascent, 6 very tranquilo hours!

Hikers walk along a narrow trail with an irrigation channel flowing with water alongside. Lots of green shrub and trees to the left, rock walls to the right
Hikers walk along a narrow trail with an irrigation channel flowing with water alongside. Lots of green shrub and trees to the left, rock walls to the right
Hikers walk along a narrow trail with an irrigation channel flowing with water alongside. Lots of green shrub and trees to the left, rock walls to the right
Hikers walk along a narrow trail with an irrigation channel flowing with water alongside. Lots of green shrub and trees to the left, rock walls to the right
A long distance view to the Mediterranean coast. A V shaped valley with a prominent craggy outcrop on the right. Wispy clouds over the sea
A long distance view to the Mediterranean coast. A V shaped valley with a prominent craggy outcrop on the right. Wispy clouds over the sea
2 hikers make their way down through a beautiful enclosed tree lined avenue
2 hikers make their way down through a beautiful enclosed tree lined avenue

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Water in the Rio Lanjarón and Acequia Nueva yesterday. No tripod, so attempted to slow down the water by hand holding down to 1/8th second.

N.B An "acequia" " is an irrigation channel" that takes water from one valley to the next along the mountainside.

Water flows between rocks in a stream. Autumn leaves have fallen and dot around the sides of the stream
Water flows between rocks in a stream. Autumn leaves have fallen and dot around the sides of the stream
A narrow "acequia" "irrigation channel" takes water from one valley to the next along the mountainside.
A narrow "acequia" "irrigation channel" takes water from one valley to the next along the mountainside.
White water gushes down an irrigation channel in the spanish mountains alongside a path
White water gushes down an irrigation channel in the spanish mountains alongside a path
White water gushes down an irrigation channel in the spanish mountains. Small green plants line the bottom of the stream
White water gushes down an irrigation channel in the spanish mountains. Small green plants line the bottom of the stream

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Nice sunset tonight

A red and orange sunset sky contrasts with the evening blue and the dark shadows of the hills
A red and orange sunset sky contrasts with the evening blue and the dark shadows of the hills

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Sampled the delights of the new Via Ferrata at Cadiar today. A grade K3 and a grade K4 available. Wire bridge, tyrolean, pendulum and some steep, airy ladders perched in space. All very entertaining.

2 people ascend rungs of a via ferrata secured by chains and cables
2 people ascend rungs of a via ferrata secured by chains and cables
A person crosses a tyrolean zip line across a gorge with some steps into the wall at the end
A person crosses a tyrolean zip line across a gorge with some steps into the wall at the end
A person ascends rungs of a via ferrata secured by chains and cables
A person ascends rungs of a via ferrata secured by chains and cables
A person crosses a wire bridge across a gorge with some steps into the wall at the end
A person crosses a wire bridge across a gorge with some steps into the wall at the end

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Birds eye view down the Embalse de Quentar dam wall, Granada.

A curved dam wall extends downwards to a small lake and wooded stream
A curved dam wall extends downwards to a small lake and wooded stream

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Autumnal colours whilst hiking the Barranco TinTín (yes, really!) outside Quentar yesterday in Granada Province. A beautiful valley rich in vegetation

A small group of hikers walks along a dirt track surrounded by the colours of autumn trees. Some mountains in the background
A small group of hikers walks along a dirt track surrounded by the colours of autumn trees. Some mountains in the background
A copse of colourful yellow and brown autumnal trees is overlooked by a green mountain ridge
A copse of colourful yellow and brown autumnal trees is overlooked by a green mountain ridge

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Today was a day of sun and shadow in the Cerro Huenes group of peaks in the Cumbres Verdes, south of Granada

Hikers walk along a sunlit path in the mountains. behind a tree filled background in shadow. Lots of green pine trees lit up by the sun
Hikers walk along a sunlit path in the mountains. behind a tree filled background in shadow. Lots of green pine trees lit up by the sun

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One of the scenes that remains very close to my heart. The road leading to town of El Chalten and the Fitzroy (Chalten) and Cerro Torre mountain chain, Patagonia. I have had some wonderful times here over the years.

A small car with light on is on a tarmac road that stretches out in a straight line towards some distant mountains. The jagged mountain summits are surrounded by clouds, blue sky above
A small car with light on is on a tarmac road that stretches out in a straight line towards some distant mountains. The jagged mountain summits are surrounded by clouds, blue sky above

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The peak of Jebel Musa 839m in Morocco, seen from the summit of Cerro de Caballo in the Sierra Nevada yesterday. 215 kilometers away!

Layers of sea and cloud over the Mediterranean Sea. At the back rises a shadowy outline of some mountains
Layers of sea and cloud over the Mediterranean Sea. At the back rises a shadowy outline of some mountains

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Spain has such a wealth of mountain ranges. Last few days we came across an absolute gem! Here, on the complicated summit ridge of Maimón 1761m in the Sierra de Maria, Almeria

A man in a white t-shirt stands in the bottom left. Behind him is a complicated face of rock walls and fissures leading to a summit with blue sky above.
A man in a white t-shirt stands in the bottom left. Behind him is a complicated face of rock walls and fissures leading to a summit with blue sky above.

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Beautiful cloud formation above my house this morning, especially when the rising sun started illuminating the right hand edge

A lenticular cloud with its right hand edge turning orange from the glow of the rising sun
A lenticular cloud with its right hand edge turning orange from the glow of the rising sun

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An Iberian Magpie (Azure Winged Magpie). These little critters are hard to photograph as they obviously hate being photographed. This one though, sat still long enough for me to get a brief glimpse 😆

A blue tailed bird sits on a green branch top left of the photo
A blue tailed bird sits on a green branch top left of the photo

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The wonderful peak of Peñón de la Mata as seen from the Embalse de Cubillas, Granada

A lake is in the bottom. Above rises a mountain with a sharp rocky summit. Dark clouds above
A lake is in the bottom. Above rises a mountain with a sharp rocky summit. Dark clouds above

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A couple of telephoto shots of the northern side of Spain's Sierra Nevada yesterday. Still, not much snow but this is steep, dramatic, alpine terrain with 27 peaks over 3000 metres. Photos show the peaks of Mulhacen (3482m) and Veleta (3394m)

The vertical north face of Mulhacen is on the left with the Puntal de la Caldera to it's right. Much of the faces are in shadow but some sun glints on some of the isolated snowfields
The vertical north face of Mulhacen is on the left with the Puntal de la Caldera to it's right. Much of the faces are in shadow but some sun glints on some of the isolated snowfields
The north face of Veleta in Spain's Sierra Nevada. A jagged mountain ridge has some isolated early season snow patches
The north face of Veleta in Spain's Sierra Nevada. A jagged mountain ridge has some isolated early season snow patches

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Yesterdays ascent of Alto de Miguelejos (2017m) and circular via Cerro Tamboril and Collado de la Gitana. Easy access from Guejar Sierra to the Collado de Alguacil. Stunning views over the Sierra Nevada.

# landscapephotography

Ascending Alto de Miguelejos (2017m) from the car park at Collado de Alguacil. Behind rises the Sierra Nevada high peaks
Ascending Alto de Miguelejos (2017m) from the car park at Collado de Alguacil. Behind rises the Sierra Nevada high peaks
Sean James descends Alto de Miguelos slopes whilst behind rises the north face of Mulhacen, highest mountain in mainland Spain
Sean James descends Alto de Miguelos slopes whilst behind rises the north face of Mulhacen, highest mountain in mainland Spain
Steep loose slopes of shrub and stones whilst descending Alto de Miguelejos
Steep loose slopes of shrub and stones whilst descending Alto de Miguelejos
A group of hikers are at the bottom left. Behind them are arid craggy slopes and the small town of Quentar
A group of hikers are at the bottom left. Behind them are arid craggy slopes and the small town of Quentar

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Today we've been enjoying stunning views of the northern side of the Spanish Sierra Nevada above Güéjar Sierra. All the main 3000m+ peaks of the ridge clearly seen today, very little haze. The image shows the summits of Cerro los Machos and Veleta (3394m)

A person sits on a rocky outcrop on the right. In front rise a series of valley reaching up to a snow clad peak
A person sits on a rocky outcrop on the right. In front rise a series of valley reaching up to a snow clad peak

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A bright but very breezy morning here in southern Spain. We recorded very high winds yesterday of over 75 km/hr and incredibly our solar panels manage to stay attached to the house! Similar today I am given to understand. Fingers crossed. Have a great weekend fellow Mastos

A small town sits in the morning sunshine with clouds behind above some dark hills
A small town sits in the morning sunshine with clouds behind above some dark hills

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We called off today's proposed scrambling day due to damp limestone rock. Instead the "Nomads" had a nice hike in the solitude of the forests of the Sierra Arana, north of Granada.

Group of hikers at a viewpoint with lush green forests around
Group of hikers at a viewpoint with lush green forests around
Some hikers walk towards to camera across a shrub filled landscape. A prominent mountain behind
Some hikers walk towards to camera across a shrub filled landscape. A prominent mountain behind
A group of walkers breaks of of the green foliage on the right.
A group of walkers breaks of of the green foliage on the right.
Group of hikers walking down a dirt road. A sharp ridged mountain lies  behind them coming out of the tree line
Group of hikers walking down a dirt road. A sharp ridged mountain lies behind them coming out of the tree line

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View from the morning dog walk all the way down to the Mediterranean. Have a great weekend everybody!

In the foreground are some rural house surrounded by olive trees. In the distance is a blue reservoir some small hills and the sea beyond.
In the foreground are some rural house surrounded by olive trees. In the distance is a blue reservoir some small hills and the sea beyond.

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Had to smile at these two gates I passed during a hike a few days ago, especially the first one. At least the second gate covers the width of the path 😀

A gate without a supporting post stand half way across a hiking track and does no job whatsoever!
A gate without a supporting post stand half way across a hiking track and does no job whatsoever!
A gate crosses a hiking track. The gate is made with old bits of wood, branches and wire.
A gate crosses a hiking track. The gate is made with old bits of wood, branches and wire.

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Yesterday was a very atmospheric day as initially the "White Villages" of the Poqueira were covered in thick cloud. As we headed up the western side of the gorge the clouds began to thin out and by lunchtime we were back to the trademark, blue skies.

Gave me an opportunity to grab some different images to the norm of Capileira and Bubion.


The clouds clearing rapidly from above Bubion
The clouds clearing rapidly from above Bubion
Out of the cloudy grayness in the top right the village of Capileira emerges on a small plateau
Out of the cloudy grayness in the top right the village of Capileira emerges on a small plateau
Capileira, in the top right, almost free of cloud
Capileira, in the top right, almost free of cloud
The village of Bubion with thick cloud above
The village of Bubion with thick cloud above

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Morning cloud dissipating from the slopes around Capileira yesterday morning, the church prominent. Behind rises the peak of Mulhacén, 3482m

Morning cloud dissipating from the slopes around Capileira yesterday morning, the church prominent. Behind rises the peak of Mulhacén, 3482m
Morning cloud dissipating from the slopes around Capileira yesterday morning, the church prominent. Behind rises the peak of Mulhacén, 3482m

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The Rio Monachil looking great with much needed water tumbling down it on the way to Granada

A river cascades over some rocks and broken branches
A river cascades over some rocks and broken branches

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Granada province still has free tapas with every drink. And, long may it continue! Here's some tapas our group were given after our hike yesterday at Bar Faroles in Lanjaron

Pork in a tomato sauce
Pork in a tomato sauce
Fish (cazon) with salad
Fish (cazon) with salad
Pork in a spicy garlic sauce
Pork in a spicy garlic sauce

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Morning sun reaching the town of Lanjarón a few minutes ago

A small spanish town on the right gets the first rays of autumnal sunshine. Behind lie green and brown hills with clouds and blue sky above
A small spanish town on the right gets the first rays of autumnal sunshine. Behind lie green and brown hills with clouds and blue sky above

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Images from yesterday's trip to "Los Cahorros de Monachil" near Granada. The actual gorge was a bit crowded for my liking, but nevertheless, this is a gem of a hike in very spectacular scenery, with lots of interest including narrow walkways, wire bridges and always the slight risk of falling in!

Some people on the right pass along a narrow path next to a river. A large ochre colored rock wall is to the left of the river
Some people on the right pass along a narrow path next to a river. A large ochre colored rock wall is to the left of the river
A tunnel in a gorge through which runs a small river. A narrow walkway on the left allows hikers to squeeze through
A tunnel in a gorge through which runs a small river. A narrow walkway on the left allows hikers to squeeze through
A small path contains a hiker in an orange jacket. The path enters a tunnel beneath huge rock walls
A small path contains a hiker in an orange jacket. The path enters a tunnel beneath huge rock walls
Two people walk along a wire bridge suspended over a gorge
Two people walk along a wire bridge suspended over a gorge

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Rather wet perch but with a stunning view! Thanks to the kind client who sent me this

A man with a bright blue jacket stands on a sharp outcrop of rock in the rain. Behind is a lush autumnal forest
A man with a bright blue jacket stands on a sharp outcrop of rock in the rain. Behind is a lush autumnal forest

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Up in the Alpujarra forests in the cloud and drizzle today near Puente Palo. Very atmospheric but I have definitely turned into a fair weather walker 🤣

Clouds clearing to reveal some multi colored autumnal trees
Clouds clearing to reveal some multi colored autumnal trees
Various levels and colors of cloud clear briefly from the mountains. Layers of ridges trend back to the horizon. Some trees are in the foreground
Various levels and colors of cloud clear briefly from the mountains. Layers of ridges trend back to the horizon. Some trees are in the foreground

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Lazing on a Sunday afternoon.

A close up of our husky/malamute dog. White face prominent with blue eyes, dark background
A close up of our husky/malamute dog. White face prominent with blue eyes, dark background

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I never get sick of this place. Lovely light tonight

Olive trees frame the scene of a small spanish town highlighted in the evening sunshine. To the left and rear there are a range of mountains with sunshine passing by them
Olive trees frame the scene of a small spanish town highlighted in the evening sunshine. To the left and rear there are a range of mountains with sunshine passing by them

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Highest mountain in mainland Spain, Mulhacén, 3482m, this morning with snow blowing from the summit in the strong winds. Snow level 2500m.

Highest mountain in mainland Spain, Mulhacén, 3482m, this morning with snow blowing from the summit in the strong winds. Snow level 2500m.
Highest mountain in mainland Spain, Mulhacén, 3482m, this morning with snow blowing from the summit in the strong winds. Snow level 2500m.

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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.

A snow scene which includes ski buildings and equipment
A snow scene which includes ski buildings and equipment

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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.

An image of the Sony Camera A7cii with lens attached
An image of the Sony Camera A7cii with lens attached

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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.

A town lies below with a reservoir above it. Some hikers stand looking out of the balcony of a small hilltop church
A town lies below with a reservoir above it. Some hikers stand looking out of the balcony of a small hilltop church

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Has anybody used one of these from 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!

A red Flipfuel device to consolidate fuel
A red Flipfuel device to consolidate fuel

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Stunning sunset tonight above Lanjarón

Golden light fills the sky at sunset. In the lower shadow lies a small spanish town
Golden light fills the sky at sunset. In the lower shadow lies a small spanish town

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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"

explorersweb.com/great-explore


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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?

A spectacular gray and orange pyramid mountain (Torre de las Minas de Carbón 2483m) is at the back with some hikers passing in front in the foreground
A spectacular gray and orange pyramid mountain (Torre de las Minas de Carbón 2483m) is at the back with some hikers passing in front in the foreground
The peak of Torre de las Minas de Carbón 2483m rises like a huge pyramid into the sky, clad in gray and orange stone. In the foreground the silhouette of two hikers
The peak of Torre de las Minas de Carbón 2483m rises like a huge pyramid into the sky, clad in gray and orange stone. In the foreground the silhouette of two hikers
Some clouds gather in the west, blow is a small lake nestled between crags. To the right in shadow are a small group of hikers making their way along a narrow mountain track
Some clouds gather in the west, blow is a small lake nestled between crags. To the right in shadow are a small group of hikers making their way along a narrow mountain track
The start of the very steep descent to Fuente Dé. Bad weather dark cloud gather to the right. The green fields of Fuente De can be see below
The start of the very steep descent to Fuente Dé. Bad weather dark cloud gather to the right. The green fields of Fuente De can be see below

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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.

A person with purple jacket is highlighted in the setting sun. behind is a dramatic mountain peak with gorges highlighted in the sun
A person with purple jacket is highlighted in the setting sun. behind is a dramatic mountain peak with gorges highlighted in the sun
Lines of mountain ranges spread into the background with the setting sun just about to go behind a mountain peak
Lines of mountain ranges spread into the background with the setting sun just about to go behind a mountain peak
The Refugio Collado Jermoso appears out of the low mountain mist with a huge mountain rising behind it highlighted in the morning sunshine
The Refugio Collado Jermoso appears out of the low mountain mist with a huge mountain rising behind it highlighted in the morning sunshine
Some hikers are at a small pass on the bottom left of the image. Some low cloud is behind. To the right rises a mountain peak with it's summit highlighted in the morning sun
Some hikers are at a small pass on the bottom left of the image. Some low cloud is behind. To the right rises a mountain peak with it's summit highlighted in the morning sun

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