Area: Tinajo, Lanzarote
The highlight of several short forays into the distinctive volcanic landscape of Lanzarote. Things kicked off yesterday with a run up the small peak of Montana del Medio, the mountain that loomed above our accommodation in Yaiza. I continued over the track up to another mini-caldera, the Gisela, before returning for breakfast. This was a longer outing with Kate, jogging through the lava from Macha Blanca white-washed village. This was awkward but enjoyable and we then took a nicely exposed direct slanting line up to gain the lip of the caldera with surprising ease. It is quite a sight: a perfect circular depression curving up to a higher summit (although still below 600m - all these hills are small). The 'ridge' (actually the rim of the caldera) was nicely narrow and well-defined - Kate and I made reasonable progress until shelved rock led to the summit. Two Canarian ravens and at least 10 berthelot's pipits provided the company, although there were quite a few other hillwalkers around. Views were a little hazy, with high cloud and occasional sunshine. This was a bit of a shame as the landscape is spectacular: huge black lava fields recalled the 'sandur' of Iceland, punctuated by isolated volcanic cones. We continued down the far side of the Caldera, almost completing the loop but I broke off for the side top of Quebredo before taking a direct line back to the base and a homeward jog through the lava fields. I took in the smaller Caldereta, running a complete loop of it and then catching up with Kate near the car. We refuellled with excellent tapas at a characterful tavern in Teguise.
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