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Gran Canaria, 3-10 November 2008
Fataga Rocque
Bentaya San Bartolome de Tirajana
North-west coast - St Nicholas
and Agaete
Galdar area
Maspalomas- Dunes and Beach
Tasarte - valley study
Wind Farm at
Aringa
Volcanics -
Pico de Galdar and Montanon Negro area
Central caldera
- Santa Lucia
Mogan -
Ayacata Road
Fataga Rocque
Bentaya San Bartolome de Tirajana
The
Humid North
GC210 Acusa Artenara
Road
Chira - valley of
water and of fire
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From Maspalomas the road to
the interior climbs smoothly above the town, and views backwards show
the town and its famous sand dunes. After this viewpoint, however, there
is a tricky downward switchback section! |
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A gravity-fed water supply,
called a bisse in French, follows the valley sides.
Palm tree detail |
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Fataga runs alongside the valley road
and, in early morning light, is oasis-like in feel. |
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More of Fatada and,
right, looking back to Fatada and its valley. |
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San
Bartolome de Tirajana
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At the head of the Fatada
valley is the drop to San Bartolome and the ring of cliffs that end in
the Pico de las Nives. On the right what I assume is a grove of almond
trees. |
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San Bartolome de Tirajana,
the capital of the caldera, with its terraced slopes and overlooked by
the rock faces of Pico de las Nieves. |
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The sub-tropical gulley
fascinated me, by the shape of the ravine and the range of plants
growing in it. |
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On GC-60 just north
of the col at Cruz Grande begins one of a series of massive
valleys to the west and, from the road, a paved footpath leads
the way .... |
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... downvalley to
Chira, left. Outliers of resistant rock cross the road,
possibly of the same series as the Roques Bentayga and Nublo. |
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Rocque Bentaya comes into
view with, right, Teide on Tenerife in the background. |
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At the
junction of GC-60 and the Bentayga spur road is a feedlot for
goats and sheep. Although there is no grazing as such, at an
altitude of 1160m there must be relief from the summer heat. |
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Rocque
Bentayga offers all-round views, within the gorges and over to
Tejeda and Ayacata in the north. |
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Settlements perched
above the ravine at the end of a tortuous road |
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Rocque Bentayga is
approached by a metalled footpath - for a while - and then it
gets steeper and more exposed. I stopped just below the vertical
monolith, where the footpath ended ... I believe. However, the
visitor's centre showed habitation inside the highest parts of
the rock! |
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Looking back from Bentayga
to Rocque Nublo, and the encroaching wave of cloud. |
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Aridity and even hints of
green within the same landscape. Ayacata features in the centre shot. |
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The ascent of Rocque
Bentayga draws to a close; exposure was beginning to drain the nerves
and I convinced myself the path had come to an end! |
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Ayacata over the
abyss. |
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Rocque Bentayga
from the Tejeda Road. |
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Rocque Bentayga
from above Tejeda, on GC-230. |
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A series of
look-backs on Rocque Bentayga from above Tejeda and the detail
within the valley. |
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Gran Canaria Maspalomas
Fataga GC-60 Cruz Grande Rocque Bentayga agriculture almonds walking
animal husbandry goats sheep |
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