Well, the unpredictably crazy life of Ian Martin continues…. Today, I found myself (with about 60 seconds notice!), having to run a 400m relay race at School Sports Day! A few hours later, with stiffening legs, I was playing the bass guitar in an open-air concert! After the concert, I was busy packing equipment for next weeks… Read more

After flying back (with great views above the west coast of France), from the Picos de Europa, I had a day to sort and wash my kit and get ready for the next expedition. I’ll admit to being totally shattered, so was quite glad to have a quite day by myself sorting out budgets, kit,… Read more

Our last day up high in the mountains of the Picos de Europa today. We would be leaving he snow behind and returning to the summer meadows below. But first, one last peak to climb. Across from the hut, the peak of Diente de Urriellu and Neverón de Urriellu mark the skyline, but where the… Read more

We let our dinner companions from last night set off before us this morning. I waved them off as they set off down into the clouds before getting the lads out of their bunks.  It was a classic hut breakfast of poor coffee, bread and biscuits, but there was no shortage of food at least. … Read more

Equipment sorting and rucksack packing was the first task of the day before checking out of our cabins and heading to the mountains. The hike was due to start from the village of Sotres, but a local Mountain Guide had told me that you could drive further uphill and therefore reduce the amount of height… Read more

The Cares Gorge is billed as one of the most famous walks in Spain and according to our Guidebook “no trip the the Picos would be complete without a journey through the Cares Gorge”. It’s a long trip with no escape routes. The guide said 11km to the village of Cain at the far end.… Read more