Andy Rodker's photos with the keyword: Peñalara

The highest peak of the Sierra de Guadarrama, Peñalara, can be seen on the horizon to the right. Mid picture is the disused railway line that goes under the Sierra from where I took this photo and which I walked through a few years ago. Before Covid, there were plans to re-open the line, which only closed 8 years ago. I recall the trains.

On the skyline, L to R, Siera de La Pedriza, Cuerda Larga, Bolo del Mundo, Peñalara, Mondolindo, Peña Negra, Rio Frio. In the foreground, Peña de Tejo.

One of the very best days in these mountains. Peñalara, the highest peak in the Sierra de Guadarrama can be seen, snow covered, to the right on the horizon.

Granite scenery. Just under the summit of Cancho gordo. In the distance l-r, La Pedriza, La Cuerda Larga and Peñalara, the highest point in the Sierra de Guadarrama (or Sierra de Madrid).

The idea is to follow the crest of this ridge as faithfully as possible. It's good fun as the granite provides superb friction and hence 'stickability' if you have the right footwear! It also helps if you enjoy a spot of rock-hopping and using both hands and feet occasionally and the odd spot of adrenalin-pumping exposure! If you have ever enjoyed Striding Edge on Helvellyn, then this would tick all your boxes and then some! (greature exposure, craggier rocks and much longer!). This shot is of just the lower starting (or finishing) stretch. Sight and sound. For no other reason than I've always liked it and another well crafted sub - three minute pop song. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmkcKjGyJv8

Sierra de La Cabrera above the fog. Spot the Griffon vulture. Peñalara, the highest point in the Sierra de Guadarrama(2428m, 7975 feet) is on the horizon, nearly dead centre. I am at approx 5,000 feet, so considerably above Ben Nevis.

View from Cancho Gordo, to the Bustarviejo Valley and (from L to R) on the horizon, the rocky extravaganza of La Pedriza, Bola del Mondo and Peñalara, the highest peak in the Sierra de Guadarrama. The mountain goat shots posted a few weeks ago were taken just round the corner to the right but I couldn't quite get them in shot from these rocks.

La Sierra de La Cabrera. Cancho Largo (The Guardian of the Mountains - my name for him!) is the highest point in the Sierra de La Cabrera. The block on the horizon is Mondalindo and centre left is (still snow covered) Peñalara, the highest peak in the Sierra de Guadarrama. There are no climbers here today. Climbing has been forbidden here during the nesting season (perigrine falcons, I think and another bird whose name I didn't catch on the notice cards - they are attached to the first fixed peg on every climbing line - because I didn't have my glasses with me, sorry). But I was impressed; this seems to be working, so not all Spaniards kill song birds for fun and bulls for sport!.

Ok, this was nearly 24 hours after the Christmas dinner (which in Spain is on Christmas Eve), but just as welcome and necessary. The Sierra de Guadarrama on the skyline. At the right of the shot can be seen peaks with the wonderful names of The Evil One and The Dead Woman!