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Cool day on Veleta yesterday!
Took the classic Paco Pepe route (4+) but decided to spice things up. After 1st 4 pitches, traversed R along the narrow & exposed Paso de Lagarto to the Variante Silvia (5) for 2 spectacular & sustained finishing pitches
Needed help from the rope at top of the crux which verges on 5+ for few meters. Thankfully Felipe there to assist. Will come back & try to climb 100% next summer. Training on arm strength is required!
#Spain #RockClimbing #Mountaineering
1/2
Wandering into the Sierra Nevada's Forgotten Zone - A few days ago I had a wonderful overnight trip into a quiet and remote corner of Spain's Sierra Nevada. The access areas were busy but once clear of them, despite the August bank holiday, we didn't see anybody on the trails for 16 hours
https://elperronegro.com/posts/2025-08-16-wandering-forgotten-zone-sierra-nevada/
#Hiking #Backpacking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors #Andalucia
A few more night shots from our backpacking trip a few nights ago. Night photography is a bit new for me but I enjoyed the experience and will certainly try some more
#Hiking #Backpacking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Outdoors #Andalucia #night #nightphotography #stars
Last nights view southwards past the slopes of Tozal del Cartujo.
#SierraNevada #Spain #nightphotography #night #stars #milkyway #camping #backpacking
About to head up into the mountains. Camping next to a lake in the cool air at nearly 3000 metres, under the stars, sounds attractive.
Heading against the grain as all the day trippers will be leaving the mountains as we enter them. Again, tomorrow morning we shall be leaving as they arrive. Sounds good to me.
Whilst in the UK last month my brothers & I came across an old leather case of my fathers. It contained hundreds of letters sent between him & my mother. It's a treasure trove!
Here is an extract written by him to my mother from his Royal Navy ship, HMS Glasgow on 24th February 1946. I particularly like the formality & style of writing.
Makes me wonder about the digital legacy we eventually shall leave behind. How interesting or searchable & discoverable will that be?
I enjoyed this scramble so much I decided to write a blog post
https://elperronegro.com/posts/2025-08-11-scrambling-campanitas-ridge-sierra-nevada/
#Hiking #Scrambles #Scrambling #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Outdoors #Andalucia #adventure
2/2 Then its glorious scrambling to the exit of the Canuto Norte del Veleta. From here the Fidel Fierro route to the summit is taken, care needed on the broken rock walls.
The climb finishes on the very summit of Veleta. Yesterday our group (average age 65+!) reached the summit to the bemused stares of groups of younger hikers who had walked up to the summit.
A superb day scramble for the adventurous.
#Scrambling # Mountaineering #Mountains #Spain #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors
1/2 The "Arista de las Campanitas" from Cerro los Machos to the summit of Veleta is a superb scramble with an alpine nature. We did this in the hot sun, the ridge never falling below 3000m.
Grading wise, a grade 3S scramble but there are some very exposed sections and some short rock climbing 3 sections.
It passes over the easily scrambled, though sharp, ridge of Zacatin 3327m before arriving at the crux section, the ascent of the Campanario pinnacle 3328m. Rope could be useful here.
So, I was climbing up this steep rock slab a few days ago and out of a small cave in the rock above me appeared this Iberian Ibex (Cabra Montes). They are usually quite timid but this one stood his ground as I climbed around him. Probably protecting his "home" from alien invaders 😀
Thanks to @adele for opening the door to the Gemini Protocol again for me. I dabbled with Gemini back in 2021 but am returning to it now after a 4 year break and after seeing how our "normal" internet is rapidly disappearing into the "enshittification" mire (Mastodon excepted!).
Time again for a quiet place to connect with the interesting people of Gemini.
gemini://elperronegro.pollux.casa/
Want to create a gemini capsule, but do not want to manage a server contact @adele
Incredibly hot between 3000-3400 meters yesterday in the Sierra Nevada. No wind & a scorching sun beating down all day. No shade nor escape from the heat.
Not really the day for 6 of us (average age 65+ 😀 ) to go scrambling around on narrow ridges. Anyway we enjoyed it, especially the bit where we pulled up and over onto the very summit of Veleta to the obvious astonishment of the groups of young people who had walked up.
Don't often find videos of me playing about on the rocks but here's one.
Dropping down into the hugely impressive amphitheater of the Corral del Veleta yesterday. I never fail to be impressed by the scale of these huge rock walls.
The Coral de Veleta was the site of the last glacier in Spain's Sierra Nevada range. In fact technically it is still a glacier, a "rock glacier" meaning permafrost lies below the surface.
Worth a visit!
#Hiking #Backpacking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors #Andalucia
You can't fight enshittification (Cory Doctorow)
https://pluralistic.net/2025/07/31/unsatisfying-answers/#systemic-problems
Anybody ask me for age verification and I'm outta there. Same as I delete accounts that ask me for facial ID (apart from my bank).
What a day! Trekked up the stunning Rio Durcal, navigated narrow acequias, and braved the refreshing plunge into the river to reach the breathtaking Cascadas de los Bolos—where some of us couldn’t resist a swim. This is magnificent gorge scenery!
#Hiking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Landscape #Outdoors #WaterfallWednesday #waterfall
I didn't enjoy my time on Aconcagua way back in the late 1990s. Far too crowded and commercial. Always had an inkling to go to Ojos de Salado instead, a few metres less high but much more remote and quiet. It never happened, unfortunately. Anyway, here's a film of a recent ascent by the very talented Harmen Hoek, which confirms that my assumptions about Ojos de Salado would have been correct. Looks a marvellous peak. Well worth watching for the stunning photography.
Huby Methodist Chapel, founded 1889, is on the corner of Strait Lane in the small Yorkshire hamlet of Huby. The chapel contains a stained glass window memorial dedicated to 7 soldiers who died during the First World War (1914–18) and a brass plaque memorial is dedicated to a further 6 soldiers from the Second World War (1939–1945)
I'm in the UK for a few days. Country walk today in the Washburn valley north of Leeds/Otley. Came across an old, somewhat neglected church at Huby with ancient, leaning headstones interspersed with overgrown vegetation. Thought it looked very gothic in black and white
Some more photos from yesterdays scrambling route on Tajos de la Virgen ridge, Sierra Nevada. Not especially difficult but utterly engaging and interesting high level hike/scramble
#Hiking #Backpacking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors #Andalucia
Classic Sierra Nevada adventure! 🏔️
Yesterday’s high-level romp along the Tajos de la Virgen ridge delivered everything you’d want from a mountain day - thrilling Grade 1 scrambling, breathtaking distant views, and that unbeatable alpine buzz. A true gem of a route! ⛰️✨
#Hiking #Backpacking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors #Andalucia
I started reading "Privacy is Power" by Carissa Véliz last night. Although I have been onboard with the concept for quite a few years now, the scale of the deception is still incredible. Looks to be a very well written and readable book for anyone interested and concerned about surveillance capitalism.
Wasps appear to be a lot more aggressive than normal at the moment. Went 20+ years living in Spain and not getting stung and then this year I've had about 15 stings in the past few months just wandering around our "campo" as normal.
Last weekend the BBC showed an all-day replay of the Live Aid concerts from London and Philadelphia. After 40 years it certainly made me feel old. But weren't we so lucky to have been born into a generation with so much innovative musical talent?
Highlights for me Queen, The Who, U2, Bowie etc. But many others. Some of these of course are sadly no longer with us.
It's also strange that I can't remember what I did last week but knew most of the words to songs from 40+ years ago! 🤣
8 years ago this pack of ours was a bit of a handful 🤣. Where did we sit? Two are still with us fortunately. Great memories of these fluff balls
Weekend not started great. No town water in our tanks so no house water until Monday when hopefully we can restore pressure. Until then it's visits to the spring to get drinking water and buckets of "campo" water to run everything else. Such is life sometimes in rural Spain. You just have to adapt and run with whatever life throws at you.
Traversing Spain's Sierra Nevada in under 4 minutes - short video of 2 day N to S crossing of the range from Pradollano to Lanjarón in July 2025.
During this hike we also visited the source of the Río Lanjarón which lies about 200 meters east of the Laguna de Lanjarón. The second day's descent of 1300 meters and 13 kilometers to the finish was tough as we descended pathless terrain into the heat of the day.
This week was the first hike I've done which really proved the usefulness and worth of the Six Moon Designs Sun Umbrella.
The sun was beating down as we reached the lake and bivvy site mid-afternoon. There was very little natural shade around but the umbrella really helped. The reflective outer and dark coated inner created a welcome cool space. Will be a regular item in my summer pack from now on.
This short video shows you what its like to disconnect. There's no fancy music nor AI gimmicks. We didn't see anybody for a couple of days, just wild flowers, running waters, birds, animals, high mountains and the sounds of nature. You get the drift.
Filmed in June 2025, above Acequia los Hechos on the western flanks of the Sierra Nevada range, Andalucia, Spain. Camp at Laguna Cabrero 2710m altitude.
Its Saturday morning and the veggie curry is already slow cooking. Have a great weekend everyone
Spending a night in a bivouac close to a mountain lake certainly allows you to see it's many changing faces. Here's some images of lake reflections from last 24 hours at Laguna Cabrero, Sierra Nevada
#Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Andalucia
Hiking at first light is such a wonderful time to be alive. Here in #Spain, waking up at 2700m is amazing. The air is cool and the light is sharp. The mountains stand out, not the normal summer heat haze blanket. From our perch we saw in great outline the mountains of the Alayos del Dilar range, the Cumbres Verdes and the Sierra de Elvira north of Granada.A pleasure to walk the hills at this time of day.
#Hiking #Backpacking #Walking #Mountains #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography
Last nights sunset bivouac at Laguna Cabrero 2710m, nacimentos del Río Durcal, Sierra Nevada
#Hiking #Backpacking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors #Andalucia #sunsets #lakes
As it's #WaterfallWednesday here are a few spectacular falls seen on my recent #backpacking trip to the Hautes Pyrenees on the Spanish/French border.
#Waterfalls #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors
We have a trip planned to Marrakesh, Morocco this week. 20+ years living here within an hours flying time and I have never had the good fortune nor opportunity to visit before. But, with the world on a knife edge and escalation the likely outcome we are giving serious thought to postponing.
Field of olive trees in the morning sun. Quesada area, Sierra de Cazorla
#SilentSunday #Spain #Andalucia #LandscapePhotography #landscape
I wrote a blog post about our recent backpacking adventures in the Spanish and French Pyrenees.
Not many english speakers have heard of the 3000 Ibónes. Ibon is the Aragon word for mountain lake. It was this that first attracted me to the area which lies west of the Ordessa/Vignamale range. The idea of camping by lakes and rivers and skipping over the border passes between Spain and France held an appeal.
https://elperronegro.com/posts/2025-06-08-backpacking-pyrenees/
#Hiking #Backpacking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #photography
We had some river crossings to deal with during our recent trip to the Pyrenees mountains. This is where we found another use for our Zpacks Ultralight Camp Shoes.
Yes, apart from being a lightweight camp shoe (only 59g) they are also quite proficient crossing stony river beds with fast flowing water.
#Hiking #Backpacking #Outdoors #outdoorgear #gear #equipment #ultralightweight
Approaching the Spanish/French border at the Puerto de Marcadeau 2541m in the Pyrenees mountain range. No passports needed to be stamped here though. In fact nobody within miles!
There is something that stirs the blood when you cross a mountain range between countries. As we reached the pass, saw the mountains and green valleys of France I spontaneously burst into an extremely bad rendition of "La Marseillaise".
#pyrenees #Hiking #Backpacking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Landscape#Outdoors
I do love my adopted homeland, but rural Spain still can't seem to get it's head around those strange beings called "Vegetarians". A conversation that I had this week when there was nothing on a menu that didn't include meat or fish
Me: My wife is a vegetarian can she have just egg and chips?
Waiter: Oh no, does she have an allergy to meat?
Me: Er yes, sort of
Waiter: OK, certainly we could do that.
Would she like some chorizo with the egg and chips?
Just returned from an amazing week in the #pyrénées including a 3 day backpacking trip. After getting our asses kicked by storms on the first night we crossed over the Haute Pyrenees from Spain to France via 2541m pass, spent a wonderfully tranquil night enjoying the "Sleep of the Gods" in a grassy meadow alongside a flowing river and returning next day. Memories that will last for ever. With @khusky
#Hiking #Backpacking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography
I've arrived in the Pyrenees. As you can see there are some stunning sights. Heading up into the mountains tomorrow
With @khusky
#Hiking #Backpacking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors
Big country Spain, 10 hours drive north starting today, heading for the High Pyrenees (Pirineo Aragonés, 3000 Ibones) and a weeks backpacking.
Looking forward to some splendid isolation, camping by lakes, crossing high passes between Spain/France and hopefully climbing some snowy peaks.
Today I've had a tough day lying asleep in a field of daisies, under the sun, surrounded by high mountains. It was hell, I tell you, but somebody has to do it.
T-Deck Plus update ...
Only downside to the T-Deck is internal antenna is a bit naff. I am not a natural dabbler & hate getting hands dirty but had no other choice. Took the radio apart, detached internal antenna, attached better one & put it all back together somehow.
It works! Although, just like an IKEA wardrobe, a couple of bits came off and I have absolutely no idea how or where to re-attach them 🤣 🤣
Thanks to "Ray J" for helpful video
https://youtu.be/llg40EWJ_R8?feature=shared
Just set my new T-Deck Plus on my local #meshcore network. Looks a bit like an old Blackberry eh?
Working well on existing home #network. Will be testing it on the hiking trails next week.
Still plenty of snow around still in Spain's Sierra Nevada. May need micro spikes or crampons to cross snow slopes pre-midday but after that it becomes soft very quickly.
This is @khusky traversing some well trodden slopes near Lavaderos de la Reina
#Hiking #Backpacking #Walking #Mountains #Spain #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors #Andalucia
It's a week before we head off to the Pyrenees for a week long trek. Seems there is more snow than normal for June so will have to take crampons and ice axes to cross the high passes and maybe summit some stuff.
Bummer, as adds to the weight. In an effort to lessen the impact on my ageing body I have bought a pair of these. Petzl Leopard Flexlock crampons, very light, only 385 grams/pair (similar to my existing micro spikes).
Anybody used them?
The magical world of the snow tunnel
Lavaderos de la Reina, Sierra Nevada, España 27th May
#Mountains #Spain #Photography #Landscape #LandscapePhotography #Outdoors #Andalucia
Don't normally do selfies but does show you my new super duper "Ranger" camera bag from https://www.leichtmut.de/product/the-ranger-ultralight-camera-bag/
Can be worn on chest but I prefer as a waist holster bag rather than across the chest. Only 94g! The bag fitted perfectly onto my rucksack waist belt making it accessible & very easy to open/close. Fully waterproof & offers just the right amount of protection.
Support garage businesses!
#cameras #camerabag #backpacking #gear #hiking #mountains #outdoors #outdoorgear
