El Perro Negro

Grumpy old mountain man living in Spain

Social-Feed – 2023 (342)

El Perro Negro (@elperronegro) on Khumbu

We called off today's proposed scrambling day due to damp limestone rock. Instead the "Nomads" had a nice hike in the solitude of the forests of the Sierra Arana, north of Granada.

Group of hikers at a viewpoint with lush green forests around

Some hikers walk towards to camera across a shrub filled landscape. A prominent mountain behind

A group of walkers breaks of of the green foliage on the right.

Group of hikers walking down a dirt road. A sharp ridged mountain lies  behind them coming out of the tree line

View from the morning dog walk all the way down to the Mediterranean. Have a great weekend everybody!

In the foreground are some rural house surrounded by olive trees. In the distance is a blue reservoir some small hills and the sea beyond.

Had to smile at these two gates I passed during a hike a few days ago, especially the first one. At least the second gate covers the width of the path 😀

A gate without a supporting post stand half way across a hiking track and does no job whatsoever!

A gate crosses a hiking track. The gate is made with old bits of wood, branches and wire.

Yesterday was a very atmospheric day as initially the "White Villages" of the Poqueira were covered in thick cloud. As we headed up the western side of the gorge the clouds began to thin out and by lunchtime we were back to the trademark, blue skies.

Gave me an opportunity to grab some different images to the norm of Capileira and Bubion.

The clouds clearing rapidly from above Bubion

Out of the cloudy grayness in the top right the village of Capileira emerges on a small plateau

Capileira, in the top right, almost free of cloud

The village of Bubion with thick cloud above

Morning cloud dissipating from the slopes around Capileira yesterday morning, the church prominent. Behind rises the peak of Mulhacén, 3482m

Morning cloud dissipating from the slopes around Capileira yesterday morning, the church prominent. Behind rises the peak of Mulhacén, 3482m

The Rio Monachil looking great with much needed water tumbling down it on the way to Granada

A river cascades over some rocks and broken branches

Granada province still has free tapas with every drink. And, long may it continue! Here's some tapas our group were given after our hike yesterday at Bar Faroles in Lanjaron

Pork in a tomato sauce

Fish (cazon) with salad

Pork in a spicy garlic sauce

Images from yesterday's trip to "Los Cahorros de Monachil" near Granada. The actual gorge was a bit crowded for my liking, but nevertheless, this is a gem of a hike in very spectacular scenery, with lots of interest including narrow walkways, wire bridges and always the slight risk of falling in!

Some people on the right pass along a narrow path next to a river. A large ochre colored rock wall is to the left of the river

A tunnel in a gorge through which runs a small river. A narrow walkway on the left allows hikers to squeeze through

A small path contains a hiker in an orange jacket. The path enters a tunnel beneath huge rock walls

Two people walk along a wire bridge suspended over a gorge

Rather wet perch but with a stunning view! Thanks to the kind client who sent me this

A man with a bright blue jacket stands on a sharp outcrop of rock in the rain. Behind is a lush autumnal forest

Up in the Alpujarra forests in the cloud and drizzle today near Puente Palo. Very atmospheric but I have definitely turned into a fair weather walker 🤣

Clouds clearing to reveal some multi colored autumnal trees

Various levels and colors of cloud clear briefly from the mountains. Layers of ridges trend back to the horizon. Some trees are in the foreground

Highest mountain in mainland Spain, Mulhacén, 3482m, this morning with snow blowing from the summit in the strong winds. Snow level 2500m.

Highest mountain in mainland Spain, Mulhacén, 3482m, this morning with snow blowing from the summit in the strong winds. Snow level 2500m.

Always nice to see the first snows of the winter arrive here in the Sierra Nevada. Here is a photo from 2500m at the ski area. The mountains change from summer to winter in an extremely short period, one week it's sun, t-shirts and shorts and the next its full winter kit and blizzards. Part of the attraction for me.

A snow scene which includes ski buildings and equipment

Couldn't resist it. I have a new camera, an A7Cii. Has to be Sony given the amount I've invested in their cameras and lenses over the last 5 years. I won't bore you with the details but suffice to say that a full frame 33MP camera with superb 28-60 kit lens, AI recognition system, advanced processor etc, yet weighing just over 600 grams really appealed for backpacking trips.

Now to gather together all my old APS-C gear - A6400, lenses, accessories etc to sell.

An image of the Sony Camera A7cii with lens attached

Poor weather up high today so our hiking group settled for a simple circular walk up to the Ermita Santo Cristo del Zapato above the village of Pinos de Valle in the Lecrin Valley.

A town lies below with a reservoir above it. Some hikers stand looking out of the balcony of a small hilltop church

Has anybody used one of these from https://www.flipfuel.co/?

"What is FlipFuel?"

"Brought to you by backpackers to solve a simple problem. What do I do with this box of partial fuel containers I won't take on a trip? Now you can easily consolidate your backpacking fuel & recycle the empty fuel canisters. "

I must admit, I went ahead and purchased one anyway as they seem a great way to consolidate fuel, especially for this weight obsessed ageing backpacker!

A red Flipfuel device to consolidate fuel

Great Explorers: H. W. Tilman

'As a dedicated technophobe, I’ve always felt a certain kinship with the English explorer H.W. Tilman (1898-1977), who would have thrown a GPS into the trash, assuming he ever had one. On his mountaineering expeditions, he engaged in alpine-style climbing and refused to bring any oxygen equipment with him, while in his seafaring trips, his boats carried no technical devices other than a compass, a sextant, and a short-wave radio"

https://explorersweb.com/great-explorers-h-w-tilman/