Welcome to El Perro Negro
Where the story begins…
“Perro Negro” started as a nickname for my magnificent, chaotic black Labrador, Rocky. In 2002, he and I swapped British drizzle for Spanish sun, and he became my faithful, if spectacularly disobedient, shadow in the Sierra Nevada. This site is named for that adventurous spirit.
From Spreadsheets to Summits
I’m Richard. I traded my life as a (very) bored accountant for boots, ice axes, and thin air. For over 20 years, the Sierra Nevada has been my home, my playground, and my office. I founded and ran Spanish Highs Sierra Nevada (now expertly steered by my daughter), and I’m the current Cicerone Guidebook author for this incredible range.
My passion for remote peaks has taken me far beyond Spain: leading six expeditions across the Patagonian Icecap, and being invited to ski volcanoes on a Berghaus-sponsored expedition in Kamchatka. Just recently, I spent five intense weeks in the wilds of El Chalten (Nov/Dec 2025).
A Quiet Rebellion on the Web
In my downtime, I’m an amateur web developer. I’m deeply frustrated by what big corporate tech has done to the internet, siloing our conversations and sanitising our discovery. That’s why I champion the Fediverse and self-hosted blogs. This site is my small stand for a more personal, independent, and human web.
Is This Place For You? If your heart beats faster for…
- Mountains: Whether it's hardcore mountaineering, a multi-day trek, a simple day walk, or just gazing at their grandeur.
- Authentic Landscape Photography that captures more than just a view.
- The realities and joys of an immigrant's life in Spain, far from the postcards.
- Stories from a Dog Lover, Heart Attack Survivor, and a proudly Grumpy Old Man.
…then you might just feel at home here. Pull up a chair. The coffee's on, and the stories are ready.
Featured Posts
- Patagonia’s Price Tag – When Conservation Becomes a Luxury Business
- Backpacking in the Pyrenees
- Wanderings on and off the Alta Via 2 trek in the Italian Dolomites
- A Collection of My Favourite Mountaineering Quotes
- Trips to the wild and windswept Patagonian Icefield
- Swapping Life Stories with Kenton Cool
- Surviving Blizzards in Kamchatka
- Skiing with Rita in the Back Garden
- The Early Days in Andalucia
Projects
- Spanish Highs Mountain Guides – This is my baby and I have loved meeting people from all over the world, from all races, religions, colours and creeds. The mountains brought us all together under a single glorious banner
- Landscape and Mountain Photography – still lots of mistakes and errors but I am steadily building portfolios capturing my mountain adventures and experiences
- Guidebook Author – Cicerone Walking and Trekking Guide Book to the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Spain
- Web Development – Aiming for lightweight, bloat free, static sites that respect privacy and load like lightning! Hate mainstream corporate social networks, Fediverse is the way forward
- "Harry's War" – Investigating My Grandfather’s Part in World War One – no idea how the old boy survived but, thankfully, he did. An amazing story of survival I am piecing together
- Book for future publication – "The Last Journey of the Mountain Man" – It is the story of this humble hikers metamorphosis, evolution and journey up through the mountain world and back down the other side.
- Uses Page – all the things I use on a day-to-day basis