Grumpy old mountain man living in Spain
I go into the mountains for many reasons but certainly one of them is to ensure I get a break from the norms which humanity seems to be building for itself. I want peace, solitude, quiet and beauty and I want to see nature at home in its own environment.
A scrambling superb round of the Corral del Veleta which includes the summits of Cerro de los Machos (3329m), Zacatín (3307m), Campanario (3318m) - Salón (3325m) and Veleta (3394m)
The mighty Alcazaba, arguably the finest peak in Spain's Sierra Nevada makes a fine 2 day backpacking ascent.
A compilation of the wild flowers that we encountered high up on the west flank of Mulhacen on a recent ascent
A two day trip into the unknown to visit the "Lake with No Name", a magical and serene place. Returning having discovered both Lake Wallaby and Laguna de los Dos Dickys
Describes a very tough and tiring but ultimately exciting and enjoyable romp around Las Buitreras del Durcal. Amazing, spectacular scenery and just 20 minutes drive from home.
PHOTO ALBUM - Describes a traverse of Chullo in the eastern Sierra Nevada hills today from the Puerto de la Ragua
PHOTO ALBUM - A tough, mainly pathless ascent yesterday over Cuna (2292m) to the old cave/refuge at Piedra de los Pajaros (2550m).
Describes an eventful and enjoyable Nomads day out exploring the eastern Sierra Nevada hills, situated west of the Puerta de la Ragua
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.
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".
Kiersten and I fancied escaping the heat and spending a few hours in the cool air at 3000m. Our target was the upper Guarnón valley below Veleta's northern face, an area of streams and green, lush grasses amid a sea of stones. The area was teeming with nature's sounds, sights and smells.
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.
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.
Yesterday in the heat of the afternoon we made our way uphill to a remote lake, rarely visited, that we had never been to before. Laguna de Peñón Negro.
This was an interesting day. Interesting as it crossed some terrain I have never trodden before, threading the Raspones 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
A very unseasonal hiking day in Spain's Sierra Nevada which brought welcome relief from the heat of the lower villages
Describes a walk up the quiet and relatively remote peak of Las Alegas above the Alpujarras in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains
We had an eventful, interesting and ultimately fulfilling day on the western slopes of the Cerro de Caballo a couple of days ago. The route is along the Acequia los Hechos and up to the remote and lonely, hidden lake of Laguna Puesta Cura.