Sierra Del Guadaramma

[thand]

So after finishing my first set of exams, it seemed a god excuse to go and visit my old work and walking buddy Dave after he moved from the bright lights of Aberdeen to the cultural back water that is Madrid.

We'd been warned that a trip to Madrid involves a lot of eating so thought it best to plan in a walk while we were there with "the littlest secret mountaineering club" (it sounds better in Spanish).

Madrid is at 800m so within 45 minutes drive we were in the Sierra Del Guadarrama. The original plan was to start a walk up at 1800m but unfortunately it turns out the Spanish don't like the snow...

Quick trip down the mountain back to 1300m and we were soon off walking.

We were out for 6 hours with these guys and I have never seen rock or scrambling like this..

The main suprise was how cold it was though. It didn't snow where we were but ice crystals kept falling from the sky.

Then back to the city for Tapas and wine

Pretty cool - I will be back!

So you moved for the climate then?

What an ass ;)

Madrid

The locals

[DaveB1]

Great pics, the donkey did it for me, no poles needed for him! Looks like a great day out and very different from Lake District or Scotland, Keep them coming. Dave

[SusieThePensioner]

Great to see you out in those Spanish mountains Loved the photos

If you get the opportunity, try visiting the Sierra de Gredos, a bit further west to where you were.
One of my daughters spent a year (from university) at Avila, the highest city in Spain. It's up at 3,700ft on a plateau between those two mountain ranges so had the opportunity of going to both.
Fantastic areas, beautiful scenery, great walking!

[daforman]

Great to see you out in those Spanish mountains Loved the photos

If you get the opportunity, try visiting the Sierra de Gredos, a bit further west to where you were.
One of my daughters spent a year (from university) at Avila, the highest city in Spain. It's up at 3,700ft on a plateau between those two mountain ranges so had the opportunity of going to both.
Fantastic areas, beautiful scenery, great walking!

Couldnt agree more!! The Sierra de Gredos, for me, is the far superior range. Next time you come to visit Tom we can head over and I'll take you up onto the roof of the Sistema Central, Pico Almanzor (c. 8,400ft) and you'll be amazed at the difference from La Pedriza (where we were!)

Great photos Tom - but where is "El Pajero" (The Bird) and "El Elefante" (The Elefant) rock formations we saw?? Technically it is part of the Sierra de Guaderrama but the area we were in is known as "La Pedriza" - beautiful rock formations but easy to get lost if i remember correctly from our day out!!

[ChrisW]

Great post Thand, that first photo caption had me laughing as did the the ass one too, looks like a really enjoyable day out and no doubt one you will be happy to repeat in the future

[simon-b]

Muy bueno, thand. Great pictures, interesting rock formations.