Peaked at 13,161, plus a couple of inches.
Smooth finish.
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Supplement to Cover Picture: Wheeler Peak, New Mexico.
Jen approaching the peak...another few minutes remaining.
Peaked at 13,161, plus a couple of inches.
Peaked at 13,161, plus a couple of inches.
Friday, June 20, 2025
67.15 Tenerife: Teide: Mount Guajara, a climb providing rugged but gorgeous views so different from terrain we've experienced on the island.
No snow, no cloud cover, a very different Teide from usual views...we suppose a 'tidy-up' for a change. (Miss the snow, but only on peaks. We're 'not fussy').
No snow but the clouds make a difference.
We suppose one disadvantage of hiking in Tenerife is that some of the drives to-and-from trailheads are testing. We've also become more resistant to driving as in many places of the world, we've been able to even walk to trailheads. No doubt this spoils a person but who doesn't mind a bit of a treat. Some driving distances reach ninety-minutes each way which is not pleasant.
No snow but the clouds make a difference.
We suppose one disadvantage of hiking in Tenerife is that some of the drives to-and-from trailheads are testing. We've also become more resistant to driving as in many places of the world, we've been able to even walk to trailheads. No doubt this spoils a person but who doesn't mind a bit of a treat. Some driving distances reach ninety-minutes each way which is not pleasant.
The alternative is to position oneself closer to the trails but that requires changing locales of residence.
It's probably not a good idea to move house unless the stay is lengthy and the changes limited. Of course, these are merely opinions which may resonate with some. Nevertheless, living and hiking in Tenerife is so special that we spend time psyching ourselves to grow-up and face the narrow and winding roads, accepting at least one long drive per week. Thinking further about it, the one extended journey per week limit also gives one an incentive to stay longer.
While Teide is sandwiched between the land and clouds, Jen makes her way up Mount Guajara.
As we approach below the peak of Guajara, we spot a coastal town in the distance.
Jen making her way up the slopes.
The slog continues. On a previous occasion, this path was covered in snow.
A contrast of this desert, volcanic region, with that of the greenery and color covering the rest of the island.
As we get higher, the sights become very attractive. People have said something similar to me: From distances of over 1,000 yards, ideally more, I look quite good. I've taken that quite literally and tend to keep my distance these days.
Here's a picture of a ruin...um...fortunately, Jen comes to the rescue and makes it attractive...phew! (Quick recovery.)
We will be distributing pictures of Teide using our recently developed frame. A delay is expected as we seek a somewhat lighter material though.
Earlier, we experienced varied and some tricky sections including high winds...not fun on a mountain.
Happiness is a successful climb to Peak Guajara .
Jen seeks protection on the way down as exposure to the (dis)gusting winds became quite dangerous.
Commencing a meaningful decline section.
Loved the harsh coloring and landscapes, differing from the rest of the magnificence of other parts of the island.
For this steep down section, it would be advisable not to get the legs twisted, as displayed.
That's a Teide display.
What! No lakes.
Jen making her way up the slopes.
The slog continues. On a previous occasion, this path was covered in snow.
A contrast of this desert, volcanic region, with that of the greenery and color covering the rest of the island.
As we get higher, the sights become very attractive. People have said something similar to me: From distances of over 1,000 yards, ideally more, I look quite good. I've taken that quite literally and tend to keep my distance these days.
Here's a picture of a ruin...um...fortunately, Jen comes to the rescue and makes it attractive...phew! (Quick recovery.)
We will be distributing pictures of Teide using our recently developed frame. A delay is expected as we seek a somewhat lighter material though.
Earlier, we experienced varied and some tricky sections including high winds...not fun on a mountain.
Happiness is a successful climb to Peak Guajara .
Jen seeks protection on the way down as exposure to the (dis)gusting winds became quite dangerous.
Commencing a meaningful decline section.
Loved the harsh coloring and landscapes, differing from the rest of the magnificence of other parts of the island.
For this steep down section, it would be advisable not to get the legs twisted, as displayed.
That's a Teide display.
What! No lakes.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
And a sunset over the Atlantic to bid 'goodnight'.
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
67.14 Tenerife: The full blog of the journey from Afur to Taganana with a particularly tough return (for us on the day).
Returning to half-way point for a steep climb to the car while taking in the glorious coloring of the section.
Climbing downwards after trying a new route. Going 'backwards', in a manner of speaking, is often a good way.
One of us on a narrow path below with the villages of El Chorro and Taganana in the rear; in the distance, the sea-stacks protrude which we mention often. The leaning pinnacles are a delight.
Jen doing her thing despite feeling a bit 'off'.
Doing his thing, too...whatever that may be.
...which takes him quite high heading toward a narrow edge.
An indication, below the pinnacle, of where we commenced.
Well, at least it's downhill for a while.
The richness of the groundcover is uplifting.
Downhill, still going on for a while. The balance in life will even things out a little later.
'Bird's eye view'...all very well but where's the bird?...on pinnacle, of course. One hopes the bird is not gloating of its talent...being able to sit in that enviable position.
'Here's the bird.': But don't ask to 'eye' the eye.
Why would Jen turn her back on that colorful coverage?
. ...Because she's going for a close-up of this scene again: The village/hamlet of El Chorro below. Toward the top-right corner, one can spot the road leading down into the developments. Never ceases to amaze where humans will position themselves. Commendable!
Ocean scene with Roque Taborno at highpoint.
Another of the 'Roque' but with a prickly sentry below.
We resisted providing an appropriate caption for a number of reasons. Select your own...at risk.
After struggling on the day because of illness (since recovered), who better than Jen to close the hike pictorially? She still faces the toughest part of the day.
Cheers,
Climbing downwards after trying a new route. Going 'backwards', in a manner of speaking, is often a good way.
One of us on a narrow path below with the villages of El Chorro and Taganana in the rear; in the distance, the sea-stacks protrude which we mention often. The leaning pinnacles are a delight.
Jen doing her thing despite feeling a bit 'off'.
Doing his thing, too...whatever that may be.
...which takes him quite high heading toward a narrow edge.
An indication, below the pinnacle, of where we commenced.
Well, at least it's downhill for a while.
The richness of the groundcover is uplifting.
Downhill, still going on for a while. The balance in life will even things out a little later.
'Bird's eye view'...all very well but where's the bird?...on pinnacle, of course. One hopes the bird is not gloating of its talent...being able to sit in that enviable position.
'Here's the bird.': But don't ask to 'eye' the eye.
Why would Jen turn her back on that colorful coverage?
. ...Because she's going for a close-up of this scene again: The village/hamlet of El Chorro below. Toward the top-right corner, one can spot the road leading down into the developments. Never ceases to amaze where humans will position themselves. Commendable!
Ocean scene with Roque Taborno at highpoint.
Another of the 'Roque' but with a prickly sentry below.
We resisted providing an appropriate caption for a number of reasons. Select your own...at risk.
After struggling on the day because of illness (since recovered), who better than Jen to close the hike pictorially? She still faces the toughest part of the day.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
Friday, June 13, 2025
Tenerife: Early ('nearly') morning sunbeams filter through the forest...complementary to former cover picture.
An outstanding sight, an unusual occurrence, an incredible beginning of the day.
The last sunbeams we remember were on Mount Woodson, San Diego.
67.13 Tenerife: Anaga Rural Park. An Introduction: Down-and-up from Las Carboneras to Taborno Rock and return...an incredible experience, a top 20 um...30...um...somewhere up there!
We selected a few pictures and added a couple more. Later, we'll put together a full selection. In the meantime, these should provide an indication of the coloring of the Atlantic, the rugged and attractively shaped mountains of Tenerife, the coastal mountain edges, the lush forests and flora, as well as an idea of the various routes and activities available to mere mortals.
Some perspective of Tenerife's "Matterhorn", RoqueTaborno. We climbed towards the mountain from the ocean side and reached below the really steep rocky section. It appears there is no path or trail to the pinnacle. So we settled for the 'pimple' instead of the pinnacle. (2-below).
We stand on the 'pimple' (right) and enjoy it including the breathtaking views deep below and across the mountains. To the left is the hamlet from which we began the hike. The crevice gives a partial indication of the 'up-down' mentioned earlier.
First glimpse of the distinguished 'sea-stacks'. This is one of three hikes in different regions and at varying altitudes from where we have observed them.
A glimpse of one of the climbs with the commencement position behind in the distance. The atmosphere of the open forests was extraordinary. We felt we were in a unique space until, we suppose, we struggled up the steep inclines while 'fighting' for oxygen.
Love these scenes.
A view as we approach the rock, although when we got closer, we circled it and climbed higher.
From a high point, we look again at the coastline, see the sea-stacks, the pointed peaks and two villages below.
Jen had just passed the most dangerous position on the hike but seemed to still have a spring in her step.
Returning to our commencement point before we begin the last major uphill and take in the Rock and the lush, dense surroundings.
Cheers,
We parked the car in Las Carboneras, the hamlet above, hiked down the mountain into the canyon then up again heading toward Taborno Rock, viewed in the distance to the right. It was clearly an 'up-and-down' day in a most beautiful environment. Typically, people are able to drive to- and park at- Taborno itself, knocking some 3 miles in length and 1,700 feet in elevation from the hike.
There's a circuit around the butte, Taborno, with a cliff-edge to where we headed. There are some very narrow and sharp edges with falls of over 1,000 feet and much more.
I'd call that a winner, both the picture and the gutsy subject, after a remarkable day on cliff-edges, steep climbs and descents.
A week before, we hiked from Afur, which is over 2,200 feet below, up to the hamlet of Taborno, where the rock of the same name rests a mile or so outside the hamlet. Today, we set off to Taborno, but from a completely different direction. We have now witnessed some incredible scenes from different places such as, for example, the sea-stacks, particularly fascinating and attractive. We've stood in three towns/hamlets at different altitudes and seen the stacks, the settlements nestled in the mountains and of course, the various mountains with Roque Taborno most prominent.
There's a circuit around the butte, Taborno, with a cliff-edge to where we headed. There are some very narrow and sharp edges with falls of over 1,000 feet and much more.
I'd call that a winner, both the picture and the gutsy subject, after a remarkable day on cliff-edges, steep climbs and descents.
A week before, we hiked from Afur, which is over 2,200 feet below, up to the hamlet of Taborno, where the rock of the same name rests a mile or so outside the hamlet. Today, we set off to Taborno, but from a completely different direction. We have now witnessed some incredible scenes from different places such as, for example, the sea-stacks, particularly fascinating and attractive. We've stood in three towns/hamlets at different altitudes and seen the stacks, the settlements nestled in the mountains and of course, the various mountains with Roque Taborno most prominent.
We stand on the 'pimple' (right) and enjoy it including the breathtaking views deep below and across the mountains. To the left is the hamlet from which we began the hike. The crevice gives a partial indication of the 'up-down' mentioned earlier.
First glimpse of the distinguished 'sea-stacks'. This is one of three hikes in different regions and at varying altitudes from where we have observed them.
A glimpse of one of the climbs with the commencement position behind in the distance. The atmosphere of the open forests was extraordinary. We felt we were in a unique space until, we suppose, we struggled up the steep inclines while 'fighting' for oxygen.
Love these scenes.
A view as we approach the rock, although when we got closer, we circled it and climbed higher.
From a high point, we look again at the coastline, see the sea-stacks, the pointed peaks and two villages below.
Jen had just passed the most dangerous position on the hike but seemed to still have a spring in her step.
Returning to our commencement point before we begin the last major uphill and take in the Rock and the lush, dense surroundings.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
We don't see Mount Teide, the volcano, too often as it's rather shy. Perhaps that's why we could not resist showing it from another hike.
