A busy day - Thursday 7th April 2016

Leave for work at 7am and get home at 10pm, no time for play today :-(

Loughrigg Fell Race - Wednesday 6th April 2016

So the first of the evening races and it's a cold and wet, with fresh snow on the higher fells.

The park is very muddy and sets the scene for the rest of the race; a big field as usual, and we are soon dashing for the bridge and then the steep road which leads up onto Loughrigg. It's hard work, but was never going to be anything less tonight, I do ok and finish ok......but probably my slowest time ever. 

Then head for scampi and chips in the world's friend list F&C shop....not !

Pilates - Tuesday 5th April 2016

Back to Pilates tonight; as always, a good session.

Scar Run - Monday 4th April 2016

So a late night, made it home just before 2am. But in need of a run and it's now light in the evenings. A quick run on the Scar, need to get back into it gently. 

Montana Pasajiron 2529m - Sunday 3rd April 2016

Just a short walk today, heading home later. From Parador, up to Degollada de Guajara and then to the summit of Montana Pasajiron.

Another stunning day, and soon back down to Parador for a shower and cold beer.

Pico Viejo 3135m - Saturday 2nd April 2016

Well they might not let me climb the highest peak, but they ain't goin to stop me climbing the second highest !!

I head out for Parador, 2150m, and pass the Roques de Garcia, rock formations which are hugely popular with coach loads of tourists, fortunately I'm out before them ! Then it's a long steady climb on Sendero 23 to the col between Pico Viejo and El Teide. The views are stunning and again there is a sea of mist a long way below. I climb to the crater wall and then round to the summit at 3135m. The weather is great again and I then take a steady walk back down the way I came - Coke and doughnut in the cafe at Parador tastes good :-)

El Teide.....well almost ! - Friday 1st April 2016

There is a complete sea of cloud below Vilaflor, but here and higher is glorious blue sky and strong sunshine. I get a taxi to Montana Blanca parking area, the bus is too late in the day, and set off in shorts and t-shirt but well equiped for what might lie ahead. I have a summit pass for between 15:00 & 17:00, a bit bizarre bit they restrict access, but for environmental / erosion issues and for safety. Frustrating though that they can't distinguish between the tourists in shorts and flip flops that come up in the cable car and and those that slog up 1,200m to climb to the summit ! 

It is soon very cold, and I put on long pants, long sleeve thermal, softshell jacket, plus hat and gloves, what's it going to be like higher up ?! But actually once I am out of the wind warmth returns and I shed some clothes. I am soon walking through patches of snow and ice as I wind my way up the track to Montana Blanca. From here, the ground steepens and a great little path weaves it's way higher to the Refugio de Altavista, at 3,260m. I am running ahead of time, so have a good stop here and even treat myself to a hot chocolate. I reckon 1 hour from here to the cable car station and the barrier !

I climb higher, feeling good, and carefully negotiating the snow and ice. I finally get to the barrier and am told, in no uncertain terms, that access to the summit is not possible due to ice ! How flippin frustrating is that, I have slogged my way up through snow and ice for the last 4 hours, am sensibly dressed and equipped but can go no further. They are not even friendly, trying to get rid of me as quickly as possible. I try to ascertain if a different way down is possible, but am told that trail is also closed. Not impressed.....Spanish bureaucracy !!

I have two choices, head back the way I came and then face an 8km road yomp to my hotel or swallow my pride and get the cable care down ! I actually opt for the latter, this might surprise you, and soon get pi&@ed off with tourists (obviously I'm not one !). Can't wait to get out at the bottom and hit the trail for a few km's to my hotel, Hotel Parador. It's at about 2,100m and I've heard that Team Sky block book it for a week each year as a training camp.....I'm expecting it to be good.