Note – 2023-03-14 21:01
@AdamBishop Thanks. Yes, Peñon de la Cruz. From the summit, I think one of the best 360° views in Granada province.
Tag: mountaineering
Peña de la Cruz
PHOTO ALBUM - A superb summit which we attained from the village of Prado Negro in the Sierra de Huetor
Note – 2023-02-01 18:17
Tortured scenery! Cerro Alfaro from the badlands to the north. In fact this shot was taken from the point at which the tank went over the cliff in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" and Harrison For...
Note – 2023-01-29 12:01
Some photos from our expedition to climb/ski Klyuchevskaya Sopka in Kamchatka. Fantastic experience, lovely people and an amazing country, but harsh weather and mountain conditions. The mountain even...
Note – 2023-01-18 10:29
Photo from a few years ago ... Some of the most difficult ski touring I've ever done, whilst attempting the peak of Klyuchevskaya Sopka in Kamchatka. Here, trying to negotiate the rocky and volcanic d...
The Heart of the Watermelon
Life on the edge! Today we've been climbing mountains again. This time the superb summit of Corazon de la Sandia (1885m) on the Alayos de Dilar ridge. Proves you don't always have to climb the highest mountains to get the best thrills!
Scrambling with my daughter Claire
Yesterday I took my daughter on one of my favourite mountain scrambles that she has always wanted to go on. The north side of the Peñon de la Mata, north of Granada.
Even in August Nature and Beauty prevail
We decided to revisit the quiet and relatively unknown lake of Lagunillo Misterioso, an enchanting place. We would then drop down the streams to see possibly the highest waterfall in the Sierra Nevada, the Chorreras de Molinillo.
What is it like scrambling "Las Campanitas" Ridge in Spain's Sierra Nevada?
Las Campanitas is the ridge between Cerro los Machos and Veleta in the Sierra Nevada. It is a Grade 3 scramble that crosses the peaks of Zacatín, Campanario and Salón eventually reaching Veleta via a route known as "Fidel Fierro".
Tajos de la Virgen Ridge
It had been quite a number of years since I had last walked the ridge between Veleta and the Refugio Elorrietta. It's known as the Tajos de la Virgen ridge and is a rough but easy walk with some sections of very mild scrambling involved.
Las Campanitas Ridge to Veleta
The ridge didn't let our expectations down. It is a magnificent scramble, probably Grade 3 in places. The highlight for me is the spiky pinnacle of Campario which soars like a needle up intto the sky. It is an impressive and intimidating sight.
Hard Going on the Tozal del Cartujo ridge
A tough return for me to high mountain scrambling on this mountaineering ascent of the north ridge of Tozal del Cartujo in Spain's Sierra Nevada
Scrambling on warm limestone
After a recent period of inactivity, due to having a pacemaker fitted, it was good to get back out on the warm limestone rock of the Peñon de la Mata and feel the exposure.
Catching the sunrise, Sierra de Lujar
At 5:30 this morning I dragged my weary ass out of bed, out into the morning cold and drove up precipitous mountain dirt tracks in the dark
Snowshoeing above Puente Palo
The great thing about living in the foothills of the mountains is that you can take last minute advantage of snow conditions.
First tracks in the Barranco de San Juan
First time at mid altitude for a while and my first venture this winter into the winter snows. We've had a poor winter so far so the recent heavy snowfalls have been most welcomed. Poor visibility meant we opted for the Barranco de San Juan valley as our snowshoeing route for the day.
First tentative steps up a mountain
I climbed my first hill in 1963, the year that President Kennedy was shot and when I was just eight years old. My Dad was an accountant and had a job doing the books of a pub in Appleby in Cumbria. On a day off he drove me to the village of Dufton and we set off up Dufton Pike
Kiersten & the Pendulum - Via Ferrata John Hogbin, Zafarraya
Well, that day was different. A first visit for me to the Via Ferrata paradise that is found at John Hogbin, Zafarraya. Lots of steep ladders (some decidedly more wobbly than others), Tyrolean Traverses, rungs, zip wires and cable bridges to negotiate. All good, clean and exposed fun in the sun!
Skiing with Rita in the Back Garden
A short ski touring video showing you one of the main reasons why I so love it here. Driving uphill on dirt tracks from my house I quickly reach some really beautiful and natural mountain environments. I enjoy a short ski tour with my dog, Rita. As you can see, she's very enthusiastic, bless her!
Ascent of Peña de la Cruz, Sierra de Huetor
We headed to the Sierra de Huetor just north of Granada. There was a peak there that I had seen many times from the A92 motorway during my years in Spain. It is called the Penon de la Cruz. I never climbed it before because, quite frankly, it looked a bit uninteresting and boring. How wrong was I?