Mallorca hiking blog

[whaleywanderer]

Wonderful, much better than Sail 'n' Surf webcam (which is down at the moment).

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to post your blog and all the amazing photos (not forgetting the plane ride!).

Can't do the hike myself but feel I've been with you every step of the way.

 

[Brisbane]

A-ma-zing!

I won't poop the party with talk of air traffic control and yellow seaplanes....

Just enjoy!

Thanks Brisbane - just the thing to bring a little sunshine into winter.

Yeah, PP's not the best place for my "eye in the sky" for that reason. I had the "big bird" up at Alcudia today, the video of that can be seen on the blog

 

[Mark]

Brilliant

Just needs Pollensa old town now, the paved area in the square near cafe espanyol is long enough for a runway

If that's too risky the car park near the Repsol garage in Pollensa old town would be suitable for take off with good aerial views of the town and puig de Maria.

Or walk to the top of Puig de Maria for some serious high altitude flying from the flat area at the monastery with views of all the mountains.

 

[Brisbane]

Brilliant

Just needs Pollensa old town now, the paved area in the square near cafe espanyol is long enough for a runway

If that's too risky the car park near the Repsol garage in Pollensa old town would be suitable for take off with good aerial views of the town and puig de Maria.

Or walk to the top of Puig de Maria for some serious high altitude flying from the flat area at the monastery with views of all the mountains.

I'll see what I can do Mark

Take-offs are easy, it's the landings I have problems with

Puig Maria is a challenge!

 

[Mark]

The square is marked out like a runway so you have something to guide you for landing

(That winter sky looks great, I will be there for my 'big' birthday in February, cant wait )

The car park that I forgot to post a link to earlier is this one:
pollensa - Google Maps

An very early start for a quick 5 minute flight at dawn might be OK as before anyone realises what is happening you will be on your way back to the car

 

[Mark]

Now we do have images of PP from an aeroplane, but better still - video


http://www.flickr.com/photos/24760993@N05/8291717834/ http://www.flickr.com/people/24760993@N05/

I've not managed to embed the video here, so you'll have to scroll down to the bottom of my blog

I have a tiny video camera that I attach to the radio controlled plane.

Steve.

If it was painted yellow and the engine sounded more throaty than the angry wasp sound on the videos people would think it was the seaplane flying really low

 

[Brisbane]

The square is marked out like a runway so you have something to guide you for landing.

An very early start for a quick 5 minute flight at dawn might be OK as before anyone realises what is happening you will be on your way back to the car

Hey Mark. I'm afraid neither of these locations are safe for me to fly from, I've been known to crash

I'm better sticking to wide empty beaches

 

[El Gordo]

What fantastic accounts of the walks you did on 24th/25th Dec.

I am sure I recognised part of your Deia circular?? Was it partly known as "The Postman's Route"

Anyway, Merry Christmas Steve, keep them coming.

 

[roig cat]

I agree, amazing accounts. Hope you got to the pub afterwards?
I've finished work now for 8 days, going walking in the Axarquia for a week for New Year as a reward for working all of Christmas.
Not mallorca I know but hoping for some spectacular Andalucian views and good Spanish grub and Rioja afterwards!

Feliz Año Nuevo

 

[Brisbane]

Hola amigos, ¡y gracias por vuestros palabras amables!

My Spanish is rubbish, and impossible without my dictionary and google translate

I'm glad you guys both mention the routes I did on the 24th and 25th, because it gives me the opportunity to express my opinion of these walks, which are similar in duration and grade.

Comparing the two, by far the best was the route I took on Christmas day. The route from Deiá on the 24th was challenging in terms of way-finding, but not rewarding in terms of views, or much else. I'm not aware that part of this route is known as "the postman's route" Gordo, that name is not mentioned in either the June Parker or Charles Davis books.

I was back around Formentor today, climbing El Morro de Calalunya. Good views of Cap Formentor, check out the blog

I'm heading to Puerto Soller early tomorrow to try some variations of routes in the June Parker book to enable a good circular route from there, and more if time permits.

Enjoy Andalucia roig cat, and hope to catch up with you soon Gordo.

Stevo.

 

[El Gordo]

............ climbing El Morro de Calalunya. Good views of Cap Formentor, ..........................and hope to catch up with you soon Gordo.
Stevo.

At last somewhere I've been!!! "El Morro de Catalunya", above Cala Figuera. Managed that with my wife a couple of years ago following directions in "Walk Mallorca North"

Cannot wait to return....will get in touch and send you my mobile Stevo.

Keep them coming

 

[El Gordo]

................ I'm not aware that part of this route is known as "the postman's route" Gordo, that name is not mentioned in either the June Parker or Charles Davis books...................Stevo.

Found this reference to the "Postman's Route"

Holiday Walks in Mallorca - Graham Beech - Google Books

and

http://www.mallorcahiking.com/

Its part of GR221 route

 

[Brisbane]

Interesting Gordo.

I'm just back from a bit of a mammoth hike, which started at Puerto Soller and went around and up Puig Balitx. As I said yesterday I combined two routes in the June Parker book (48 and 47), but it was interesting because the first part of the route is covered in the Charles Davis book (No. 11), as a return route. At the return point the book states "from this point the waymarked routes involve some precarious scrambling and are not recommended".

The June Parker book doesn't even mention anything "precarious", and was incorrect at one point and vague at most of the others!! Having said that I'm up for a challenge and at least there's some more adventurous/challenging routes in the June Parker book, and this wasn't easy However, because of an error in the book I didn't manage my second hike of the day and actually did more than I planned for. I reckon I walked almost 25 kms and ascended/descended over 1000 metres.

Beer is tasting very good en este momento

My legs are sore and my hiking gear is in the washing machine, no more 'til Monday! I'll update the blog tomorrow.

Stevo.

 

[El Gordo]

.....................My legs are sore and my hiking gear is in the washing machine, .....................

No doubt the "over the counter" medicine "Estrella" imbibed at regular intervals over the course of the weekend will mend all those aches and pains.

Talking of this has brought on aches from previous activities so intend to follow my own advice.

Have a good weekend and New Year

 

[sws97sdg]

You fame is spreading Steve, your video is appearing on Facebook now!!

 

[Brisbane]

You fame is spreading Steve, your video is appearing on Facebook now!!

Where?! I can't find it

 

[sws97sdg]

Hi Steve, Mar Calma Hotel are sharing it on their homepage!!

 

[Ronnie]

Interesting Gordo.

I'm just back from a bit of a mammoth hike, which started at Puerto Soller and went around and up Puig Balitx. As I said yesterday I combined two routes in the June Parker book (48 and 47), but it was interesting because the first part of the route is covered in the Charles Davis book (No. 11), as a return route. At the return point the book states "from this point the waymarked routes involve some precarious scrambling and are not recommended".

The June Parker book doesn't even mention anything "precarious", and was incorrect at one point and vague at most of the others!! Having said that I'm up for a challenge and at least there's some more adventurous/challenging routes in the June Parker book, and this wasn't easy However, because of an error in the book I didn't manage my second hike of the day and actually did more than I planned for. I reckon I walked almost 25 kms and ascended/descended over 1000 metres.

Beer is tasting very good en este momento

My legs are sore and my hiking gear is in the washing machine, no more 'til Monday! I'll update the blog tomorrow.

Stevo.

Steve, you are fast becomong the "Michael Palin" of the hiking world!!!!. The BBC should sign you up for a series. " Around Mallorca In Eighty Days ". It would definitely be a lot more interesting than the programmes presently on offer!!!!. Keep up the good work

 

[roig cat]

Hi Steve,
just cought up with your blog re mammoth hike, you made me laugh when you said just writing it was knackering!

Re the friendly sheep, was there a donkey across the road on the bend? I think we met these same very friendly sheep looking for attention when on walk 9 just after way point 11? (by the way, walk 9 from Charles Davies book is a a very easy peasy walk for all abilities).

Andalucia was great but very cold up in the low sierras. We could be hiking at 0-2 degrees in the morning and on Nerja beach in the afternoon. I'm now reveiwing your walks for Feb and April. Will give the mammoth one a miss though unless you want to set up a business as a hiking guide?

 

[Brisbane]

Hi roig cat.

Chances are those were the same sheep, they were probably around the point where walk 9 in the Charles Davis book joins the MA-2124 at way point 11. Don't remember seeing a donkey near there though...

As you'll have noticed that particular walk has been further investigated and now the blog (28th December entry) shows the intended route, so that one is a bit easier now, but still a challenge!

Glad to hear Andalucia was good. It's a bit similar here weatherwise just now with cold nights but warm days in the sun. If I'm here I'm happy to act as "guide". I've got a couple of friends coming over from Edinburgh on the 5th of Feb for a week, so we'll be hiking around together. I'm still toying with the idea of going to Tenerife and La Palma late Feb though. I'm off to Lanzarote on Sunday, I think my timing was good - there's rain forecast here for next week