27.01 Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Spain: Tozal del Mallo hike.

As we begin this leg of Hike-about, we wish to express our appreciation to Brian Murray, who provided much sought after assistance when we were in dire need. Your kindness is appreciated deeply, Brian.

Before arriving in Spain, we spent a hectic and hot six-days in Israel. The specific purpose was to enjoy the marriage ceremony of Tarryn Klotnick, our niece, and Stephen Marcus, who has now become a nephew. We certainly had a good time as we met many of their friends and family while experiencing a unique and exciting ceremony. As an additional bonus, Ellie and Benny, our grandchildren, were in town allowing us to enjoy the Mediterranean in a rather novel manner.

This trip has not been without its challenges, the latest a rather tough incident in Spain. Perhaps we'll mention it at another time. In addition, the logistics of moving between countries fully-laden with clothing, utensils and hiking gear while flying around the clock and landing and departing at all hours, makes the tough second hike, Tozal del Mallo, seem less strenuous and difficult than it actually was.


Jen contemplates...perhaps, hugging the inside edge. The walls are magnificent.





As we break the tree-line, we get a good view of Tozal de Mallo.




The second set of pitons ascended. Truth be told, the climb is more difficult than it looks...or we are 'babies'.
The gaps between pitons is large with few toeholds.





As we acquire altitude, the views become even more spectacular.




A confident editor, it seems.




Part of the trail below in a very green area. (Two days of rain in a row thus far.)




After a few feet, the hike commences an ascent that does not let up until the top. Through the forest, one is climbing sharply but once out in the open, it's cliff edges the whole way. Thereafter, the climbing is technical with many level-4 stages and then in three places, it gets a lot worse. We set out to reach the pitons which we did, passed the second set but with Jen's legs too short to bridge the gaps and the going treacherous, we called it a day. We were not far from the top but still some distance to the side of the peak. And what a beautiful and unusual formation.

For myself, I would think that this is the finest hike of all that we've undertaken. It has all the ingredients of being difficult, strenuous, fraught with danger and accompanied by incredible beauty. Another favorite, the Sentinel in the Drakensberg, is such a great experience but does not have the difficulties of its Spanish amigo. I believe this is the first time I've put my 'neck on a block' in rating a hike as the best, but I'll live with it. (This supposes my head remains attached.)

The length of the hike is unknown although we spent some five hours on the trail, which included brunch. The accumulated elevation gain was over 3,000 feet, something we felt both up-and-down. Once again, a special experience in a fabulous part of the world.



Jen, on the way back and down, about to hit a brick...wall.




Clouds cover the peak as rain approaches




Editor gaining traction on the way up.




Fragen, the village in which we are staying. It's like another world...with internet access. Fascinating!




Without belaboring the point, a little tough, at the first section of pitons.




"Aren't we high enough, dear?"...The editor sure knows how to push.




Cheers,


Jenni and Jeffrey

Mount Woodson, always a surprise from nature

Over the years, we have realized that nature provides unique scenes each moment of the day, never to be replicated. While the scenery can change from one extreme to the other although it might seem at times to be similar, there are always variances. Perhaps that's a metaphor for life as each moment will never be repeated; it might be similar but it will never be the same. When we left at 4:55am for the mountain, there were no clouds anywhere in San Diego. We anticipated ordinary scenery. We should have known better. At one stage, actually a few times, we were mesmerized by the scenes of clouds, mist or fog. The mountain ranges were stacked behind one another in varying degrees of visibility based upon the layer of mist. What a view!

We'll see you from Israel, Spain, a little France and Andorra, a lot.


This photograph sets the tone for the views on the hike.








Depending on the position of the sun, the colors may vary much.




Couldn't resist the rock scramble to stand before the magnificent backdrop.




Aha! Well, that's what we thought.





Facing almost directly into the rising sun.




What makes you think 'We like'?




One for the road.




Cheers,


Jenni and Jeffrey

Harnessing the sun to bring light and some tranquility to a beautiful world of many confused inhabitants...presented with humility, at least that's the intention.

That we anticipate horrid and evil behavior is a tragedy in of itself but that such dastardly actions are met with tepid and resigned responses from so-called leadership is beyond comprehension.



The Eiger, Switzerland.




Mount Woodson after sunrise, Poway.




A 'golden wave' at Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada.





Pearl Harbor at sunset.





Ascending Mount Shasta as sun 'hits the wall', Northern California.




Kokohead at sunrise, Oahu, Hawaii, (Kokohead is the place rather than the person.)





Turtlehead peak, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada.





Candelaria: A town in Spain at sunset




A view at sunset from Iron Mountain, Poway.





Iceland.




Returning from Paiute Pass, Sierra Nevada, California in autumn.




Pradollano, Spain




View towards Las Vegas from Black Mountain, Boulder City, Nevada, at dawn.




Dolomites, Italy.




'Crocodile' in early morning, Tyee Lakes, Inyo forest, California.





Fischerhorn in Grindelwald, Switzerland.




Near Bejar, Spain.




Sun breaks through at Machu Picchu, Peru.




Blacketts Ridge, Tucson, Arizona.




Amphitheatre, Witsieshoek, South Africa.




Gets one's goat, early sunrise on Black mountain trail, Boulder City, Nevada.





Sunset at Horseshoe Bend, Page, Arizona.




Early morning below Salkantay mountain, the Andes, Peru.




Sun shines through as we reach Wheeler Peak, New Mexico, USA.




Frenchman mountain from Red mountain, Nevada.




Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

Mount Woodson from the west in rain, Woodson from the east in sunshine, Black Mountain neither here nor there, Lake Poway with our 'bright sparks'.

A view from Mount Woodson peak.



Where does the time go? Stupid question but South Africa has 'come and gone', I haven't called Sean for a hike regretfully and it's time to leave at the end of next week for Hike-about 27. We have unfinished business in Spain, France and Andorra which has us excited. Before then, most importantly, Tarryn, our late sister's daughter is marrying Stephen in Israel, our next port of call—a particularly exciting and meaningful time for the couple and family.

In the meantime, we went hiking with the brightest sparks in our lives, Ellie and Benny, to Lake Poway in perfect weather. The following Sunday, we hiked to the peak of Woodson in rain and the week thereafter, in sunshine with a mid-week hike up Black Mountain. Most San Diegans will attest to experiencing gray weather, typical for this period. From Woodson last week, visibility was almost zero at 6am. The following week at 5:15am, visibility at ground level was gray and poor. However, from the peak, the cloud covering was glorious and the sunrise with its effect on the boulders, plants and mountains, quite spectacular. As it's frequently mentioned, one's perspective is colored by where one stands. It's been true these past weeks in San Diego for us.


Do you think muffins and milkshakes will help you recover? Lake Poway at the foot of Mount Woodson.




The sun works its magic.





A view into far East County at daybreak.




Mountains protruding in the distance but just.




The editor plays second fiddle to nature's wonders (not really).




A less common view of the 'potato chip' but usual for ol' potato head.




We've become quite familiar with this proud plant.




Back to the park as Ben attempts to lift his little, older sister.





A reluctant smile from the editor before she prepares to jog down.




Sun makes the boulders come alive but remain stationary, we hope. Mountain shadow on cloud.




On northern side, valley below filled with clouds.



Papa teaches the kids the golden rule of hiking...rest.




Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey



Before we forget: sunrise, of course.