Grumpy old mountain man living in Spain
Three day mountain trek turns chaotic when weather forecasts promise light drizzle but deliver thunderstorms and hail. A hiking adventure, pink camouflage tents, no coffee and running for the car
A week with The Nomads hiking classic Pyrenees routes from our Panticosa base – Punta del Pacino, Bachimaña Alto, Refugio Respomuso, Refuge Pombie in France, and Ibón de Piedrafita. Includes wildlife sightings, minor navigational mishaps, and zero mountain heroics.
Although I've just got back from 3 weeks and in the I haven't had much chance to tell you about our trip. I was far too tired each night to put together coherent sentences 🤣. This is the first of 3 bl...
Exploring high lakes around Ibon de Arriel, negotiating stormy weather, making questionable stealth camping decisions and learning when to retreat, all while trying to hide our bright pink tent
The isolated and stunning looking Pic du Midi d'Ossau 2884m as seen from near the Col de Houer to the SW.
I was surprised by the amount of snow still remaining in the Pyrenees. It's going fast though and leaving behind some incredible snow tunnels
2/ Above the Embalse de Bachimaña Alto we met snowfields and rising before us was the chain of mountain peaks marking the border with France. Easiest crossing seems to be the Puerto de Marcadeau leadi...
1/ Some images from yesterdays hike up to the Embalse de Bachinaña Alto in the Pyrenees. Starts from Baños de Panticosa. This is an interesting and dramatic ascent to the lake alongside tumbling water...
RE: https://loops.video/v/gbsL-vvfsF Glorious hike today up to and beyond the Embalse de Bachimaña Alto. Stunning scenery. This walk up through forests to the waterfalls was just the start of a long b...
RE: https://loops.video/v/g75AY9eitN A short video from day 1 of our recent 4 day backpacking trip into the mountains of the Central Pyrenees
Early morning view from our campsite alongside a small lake in the Respomuso area of the Central Pyrenees. The mountains shown form the border with France.
Arrived in the lovely town of Panticosa in the Pyrenees this morning. That's the town on the far side of this lake. Done some driving around this afternoon seeking out hike start points and searching...
Tomorrow we head north on the first part of our long 10 hour drive through Spain to the town of Panticosa in the Central Pyrenees. Panticosa will be our base camp for the next 3 weeks. Looking forward...
Thought I had our 3 week trip to the Central Pyrenees in June all sketched out. Then I came across "Le Chemin de Liberté" (Freedom trail) that escapees and evaders used in WW2 to escape south over the...
@germantr I do use microspikes in late spring or early summer but microspikes won't be sufficient for what we are doing in the Pyrenees. Needs proper crampons. I think these might well be OK for that.
What an absolutely cracking day. Couldn't ask for better mountain conditions. Testing our lightweight Petzl Leopard crampons ready for a late spring visit to the Pyrenees. How did they do? Well, they...
@Ali congratulations, I think to get down to 8kg for NZ thru hike is really good. For comparison, same base weight as I would have for early summer trek in the Pyrenees also taking axe and crampons fo...
@Ali I have a Mid 2 tent. Lightweight, uses 2 trekking poles. Well made plenty of room for two and sturdy enough during a storm in the Pyrenees last summer. Good 2/3 season option for lightweight back...
@hikingdude @ericphelps a day before our recent 3 day trip in the Pyrenees I noticed a hot spot developing on a heel. Some white sports tape was applied which stayed on for the whole duration but made...
@pboulch We did a nice itinerary in a relatively quiet part of the Pyrenees. Went from Baños de Panticosa (Es) to Refuge Wallon (Fr) and back in 3 days over the Puerto de Marcadau. Could have done it...