Grumpy old mountain man living in Spain
Interested in preparing an overnight camp in the mountains but are a bit wary of the weight to be carried. This is to encourage you and give you a place to start the journey of what to bring and what to pack.
Last night, as part of the annual fiesta we had the "Noche de Agua", the world's biggest water fight. An hour of mayhem that finishes at 1am and is followed by hours of partying in the town. Exciting,...
The view from our "dinner table" (a flat rock surrounded by soft grasses) a few nights ago as the sun started to set. All we could hear was the sound of the cascading waters of the Rio Lanjarón. Ahead...
Morning light on Cerro de Caballo (3009m) reflected perfectly in the small lake by Laguna de Nájera as we get ready to strike camp
A marvelous 2 day backpacking trek into the upper reaches of the Lanjarón Valley in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains. Still lots of snow which form tunnels through which the river flows. Beautiful scen...
Did I tell you I like snow tunnels? This image from the upper Lanjaron Valley a couple of days ago
All packed up & ready for tomorrow's jaunt up the 15km Rio Lanjaron valley & reaching the Laguna de Lanjaron at 3000m tomorrow pm. Returning following day via the Verea Corta & lagunas at Bolanos, Cua...
The weather forecasts said rain/storms from early morning throughout the day. I was somewhat suspect as the norm this time of year is for cloud build up mid-afternoon and maybe some thunderstorms late...
Trumpet Gentian found on a hillside at 2500m in the Sierra Nevada a few days ago. Proper name I think is Gentiana alpina (or Southern gentian)
I've upgraded our Petzl Via Ferrata lanyards in preparation for our forthcoming July trip to the Dolomites. These "Scorpio Vertigos" weigh only 380 each (+ pully) so are quite a weight saving on the p...
Yesterdays early morning start from our bivouac site had us ascending using an easy snow staircase that led up 400 meters to the ridge line. We arrived to meet the sun and walk the high ridges southwa...
First light reaches the mountains of the Alayos del Dilar group with Corazon de la Sandia prominent. Behind the outskirts of the city of Granada.
What a morning! This was our view when the suns rays reached us yesterday morning after a 2 hour ascent through the dawns shadows. In front of us the magnificent Cerro de Caballo, Europe's most southe...
What a magnificent setting for last nights bivouac. A small lake surrounded by crags and snow slopes. It's grassy banks were filled with bright blue "trumpet gentian" flowers and the noise of busy ins...
Our first sight of overnight camp last night, a small, well hidden lake (Laguna Carnero) nestled amongst crags.
Did the very entertaining Via Ferrata at Castala yesterday with Dexter and Felipe. Ladders, walkways, balance bar, Tyrolean traverses, wire bridges, pendulums. Also 2 abseils - 18m and 30m. Lots of fu...
Some of the beautiful wild flowers that lined the sides of streams that were gushing with the spring snow melt from the high Sierra Nevada. Height approx 2300-2500m. Wildflower names in description/al...
Such beauty yesterday on the western side of Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains. Running waters, colorful endemic wild flowers, snowfields, distant views and a "big country" feel. And, no others around....
And of course on the mountainsides of the Cerro de Caballo (3009m) we were destined to meet these wild beauties.
