Mad Dogs and Englishmen …. Pico de la Zara conquered ….Naked!

[dampsquib]

I wasn't sure if I was going to aim for Zara when I started out. I'm staying at the Fuerteventura Princess in Esquinzo. I set off in the afternoon to explore the Butihondo Barranco behind the hotel. Headed down towards the Magic Life, and then was able to use a tunnel under the new road to access the Barranco. Quickly spotted a new'ish storm-drain (About 3 metres deep and 10 meters wide). Must be some sight to see it in action. The drain was easy to walk, and avoided a few Casas, so I stripped off and made use of the drain. Like many places in Fuerte' the start of the Barranco has been spoilt by yet another abandoned (golf?) development. Once I came to the end of the drain, the valley was quite lush, and all I had for company was a few goats. I was able to use a good track to make further progress, and then reached a substantial goat shelter. The track then petered out, but the dry river bed continued to be easy walking. The valley itself would have been worth the trip, but I looked for a suitable place to climb the left wall up to the normal 'Zara path along the ridge. Having gone quite a way up the Barranco, I thought I'd found an easy way up, but it did get a bit hairy (for me) near the top. It was quite a relief to cross the skyline and find the Zara Track just off the ridge. I vowed to take the easy route down. I think I startled a couple of people on the main track as I entered from 'stage-right'. I guess they didn't plan on reaching the summit though, as it was late, as they turned around and went back down. Shortly afterwards I passed another young couple, and then that was it. I reached the summit a little before before 5. Unfortunately, the clouds beat me to it, so I never did see the Cofete view (though I did see it some years ago). Just before the summit, I was surprised to find the top had been fenced off since my last visit, and the final leg was after passing through a gate (with a 'Please close the door' sign). I guess it must be a conservation measure to restrict where the tourists and goats can go. I get very hot when walking, so mostly I wasn't cold, but there were a couple of exposed stretches, where the wind was strong and the sun vanished, where I did wonder whether I might have to give in and put some clothes on, but I persevered, and made it to more sheltered ground. Left the top at 5.15'ish, warmed up again when I got moving. I planned to take the easy option and follow the main path, even though this would mean a long walk when I reached civilisation, or a short bus ride. When the path branched to the right, I could see my hotel in front of me , so perhaps foolishly, I decided to make my way into the Butihondo Barranco again. It didn't look like I had far to climb down, and at first the going was easy. Unfortunately, it got steeper at the bottom, I kept my nerve, and worked on the basis that there were numerous options, so if one way was barred, by a large drop, find an easier option. When off-piste, you've always got to bear in mind that even large rocks my not be secure, so you have to tread carefully, and I did. Quite a relief to reach the bottom, but my slow progress meant that my short-cut wasn't going to be that short. Still I knew the way ahead was now easy walking – well it was in daylight! Not quite so easy as the daylight faded. I was very glad of some moonlight, as I walked the storm drain again. Finally made it back to the hotel just after 8. Missed my usual sauna, but at least I was in plenty of time for a late dinner.
Socal – Pity you won't be here for some weeks yet, we seem to be of similar minds.

[SoCal]

Wow!  Had a good hike today in Palm Springs, California, but nothing as adventurous as your hike.  From your description and looking at the satellite photo, you should be commended for being able to climb out of the valley (Butihondo de Barranco) up to the traditional track along the ridge. It looks quite steep for a free hiker.   Also thumbs up for attempting a free hike in what was probably pretty chilly weather near the top.

Reaching 'Zarra  is one hike/tramp/walk I have never attempted, but I will first attempt it by the more traditional route, behind Barcelo Jandia Mar.

Just curious, what was the response of those who saw you? My experience in Fuerteventura is that the woman are amused when they come across me free hiking, but the men are less comfortable. Today in California, I came across 5 men and 4 women hikers while free hiking and the response was different. All 5 men from ages of 30's to 70's had big smiles on their faces. The older women, say 60 or and beyond also had big grins. Only the woman in the 40's refused to look at me.  I had been on this hike many times and had never seen another fellow hiker, so each encounter was surprising.

[dampsquib]

Climbing out of the Barranco and back into it wasn't too bad. Well .... easy to say that now that I'm safely back, with a gin'n'tonic in hand. For quite some time on the valley wall (in both directions), I was thinking, I hope this doesn't get any worse, as I don't want to have to retreat and do this bit again.
I'm happy scrambling over boulders, and I'm OK with heights, but I can't cope with the two together. Even worse where stuff is loose, and you know that only goats have passed that way before (maybe).

On my way to 'Zara, of the four people I passed, the first two where middle aged/elderly. I think they were a little startled, but perhaps more because I appeared from a direction that people were not supposed to appear from. My guess would be that they were German, and generally, I find they have a very mature attitude to nudity. They did do a u-turn. Hope I didn't scare them off. I suspect, as it was late, they were just have a stroll along the ridge, and weren't planning to complete the full climb. The other couple were young, maybe mid-20's, they just looked ahead, as did I. Still, it's nice just to be ignored. Back in Britain, many would be on the mobile to the police, as our 'naked rambler' Stephen Gough, has found to his cost. I see he was sentenced to a further 16mths in jail again in January - for appearing naked in public. I chatted to a German girl in the sauna tonight and explained that in general, Britons are very uptight about nudity.
I was amused by recent Tripadvisor report about the sister hotel next door (Jandia Princess). Whilst they still have a small naturist area, it is now separate from the sauna/shower area. The reviewer complained that naked people were wandering out of the naturist zone and into the sauna area. They went on to say that they'd got hotel security to stop this 'unacceptable' behaviour. I can't figure out if that means that nudity is no longer allowed in the JP's saunas and steam rooms.

Today I went to Cofete. Parked and walked north. Naked again in lovely sunshine. Took me about 2 hours to (almost) reach where the beach ends. After the first 10 minutes, I didn't see a soul. A burning ambition I have is to walk from the low section of the island (to the south of Costa Calma) to the Cofete beaches. I've almost done the walk from both ends now, but have still to discover how tricky, the tricky bit between the two is. The walk isn't really possible alone. You need someone to drop you off at one end, and to collect you at the other.
Has anyone done this walk? How difficult is the bit in the middle?

[SoCal]

A burning ambition I have is to walk from the low section of the island (to the south of Costa Calma) to the Cofete beaches. I've almost done the walk from both ends now, but have still to discover how tricky, the tricky bit between the two is. The walk isn't really possible alone. You need someone to drop you off at one end, and to collect you at the other.

I have nearly completed the Risco Del Paso, south of Costa Calma, (28.111782, -14.264129 ) to the north end of Cofete beach - probably near where you turned around. The hike up to the ridge is dull and simply windy, but the view from the ridge is spectacular. I started down the northwest side the ridge, but had to turn for lack of water and food. Will plan better next time.

If you follow my path which follows the road to the northwest, my recommendation is that while the road is easy to follow, the dry stream to the north of it is more interesting to walk along.

A different path which goes nearly due west is in the video here:  Hiking from Costa Calma to the Cofete Beach - Fuerteventura on Vimeo  However, they participants drive much of the way. 

[SoCal]

As a follow up, it looks like to actually reach playa cofete, wait until low tide.

[dampsquib]

Many thanks SoCal, for an interesting and useful link. I've been planning to check out the left fork of the track up the Barranco de Pecenescal. I did the right fork (by Jeep) last year. The weather here has been bad over the last 48 hours: strong winds and heavy showers – so not good for walking, clothed or otherwise. Surprisingly dry up the Barranco though! I had a little Suzuki Jeep for a few days, so on Saturday afternoon, when the weather had calmed down a little, I ventured up the Barranco (left fork beyond the Casas de Pecenescal). I think that's probably the correct spelling, but the (Maps With Me) app on my tablet also spells it Penescecal). Driving up the Barranco track was bit of an adventure – though, reassuringly, I was following other tyre tracks. Glad I didn't meet anything, as there were very very few places where you could pass. My Suzuki had enough clearance, and though not perhaps as versatile as the Land Rover in the vid, its small size did make it easier to squeeze through the narrow bits of the Barranco. The track was quite tough at times, but then you'd get a nice flat gravely bit, so that you could calm down, ready for the next tricky bit. Eventually, I emerged on a small plateau with a large cairn and signpost pointing back to 'Barranco de Pecenescal 4.3 km'. Good view down to the sea, but it was still quite a way down. Whilst I couldn't immediately see the footpath off this plateau, I could see some paths down below me. It looked like I was above, just about, where I'd reached the other day on the Cofete Beach. It would be great to get down to the beach and recognise the same rock formations. I've just over two weeks left, so plan to rent a Jeep again, so hope to visit the Barranco again, whilst also trying to plan my visit' for a 'low-tide' day. I may abandon my Jeep earlier though. Progress up the Barranco was slow – barely above walking pace, and I dread the day when I have a mechanical problem, and have to ring the hire company and say that I'm stuck 'ever so slightly' off the tarmac road.
On the slopes by the final plateau I reached, were 7 or 8 rock 'shelters'. I'd have probably passed these off as 'goat shelters' and not wondered why there was so many. But interestingly, these shelters are marked on my 'App' as 'Ruinas Guanchas'. Sad that more isn't made of them – but what were the Guanches doing there? And what did they live on? The landscape is so barren! The ruins appear as 7 or 8 dark structures on Google Maps – but aren't labelled.
I also note on my Maps With Me App that slightly north on the Playa below the Plateau I reached, there is a 'Danger Rockfall' warning. This is probably on the (difficult footpath) route marked on my Kompass map (www.kompass.at). Generally, the best map I've come across for walking. I ordered it from Amazon after it was recommended (on this forum, I think). It doesn't suggest a link however, between Penescecal and the Playa Cofete though, so it isn't quite as good as it could be.
All I managed today (Sunday) was my usual walk south along the beach to Esquinzo, after the weather calmed down a little. The strong winds, and less frequent showers continued though, and I think I was the only naturist on the beach today, even though it was occasionally very pleasant in the short bursts of sunshine.

[SoCal]

Excellent - so you did repeat the trip of the video. And you answered my question: is the path from the plateau down to the beach easy to spot and descend? From the Google Maps/ Earth, the path appears to start north of the rock shelters, and heads down and south along the side of the hill.

Since I rent a VW Polo, such a drive as yours is out of the question - the hike might be worth it just for the view. 

Sorry about  the weather. I arrive the last week in March. Hopefully it will be better by then. Regardless, well done on your efforts.

[dampsquib]

Weather had much improved yesterday, so I caught the bus to the Barranco de los Canarios again and walked up the Barranco (road at first, but then I branched into the dry river bed at the (dry) reservoir). I then headed over the pass between the Montana Blanca and the Morro del Joaro (easy climb up and over). Had a break at the top, then headed to the sea down the Barranco de Mal Nombre. Didn't see a soul all afternoon. When I headed back to the beach, I didn't even have to dress to cross the old and new roads, as I managed to walk through the drainage tunnels. The one under the dual carriagway was fenced off, but squeezing around the fence was easy. The tunnel was long and dark, but the surface flat (& most importantly, dry). Then headed back to my hotel along the beach. A very pleasant afternoon naked, apart from a brief spell at the top of the pass, when I gave in put my t-shirt on whilst sitting.
Another wild and wet spell last night, but sunshine has returned again this morning, so I'll be talking a break on the beach.

[SoCal]

From your description, sounds like almost 20 km.  Surprised that no one passed you in either direction.   I'm still aiming for the hike from one side of the island to the other.   Keep it up. You are the lord of the Fuerteventura free-hikers.

[maxieman]

I'll be in Costa Calma next month and was thinking of walking out of the back of the hotel (Cordial) and heading west until I reached the sea and then trekking north to Pared. Google maps show this to be an easy trek with a bar at the end. Any thoughts/tips anyone? It seems to be a walk that is across the Island but perhaps a bit tame? If I headed south to Cofette - is there an easy route back?

[SoCal]

I'll be in Costa Calma next month and was thinking of walking out of the back of the hotel (Cordial) and heading west until I reached the sea and then trekking north to Pared. Google maps show this to be an easy trek with a bar at the end. Any thoughts/tips anyone? It seems to be a walk that is across the Island but perhaps a bit tame? If I headed south to Cofette - is there an easy route back?

As someone who enjoys hikes from 12 to 20 km with several hundred to a thousand meters of climbing, I too thought the crossing would be "a bit tame". But between the wind and the inefficiencies in walking in sand, not to mention the heat and arid conditions, Fuerteventura is more formidable than expected.

If you then head south toward Cofette, you can return via road here:  28.163460, -14.268428 which is on the other side of the windmills. Or continue and follow the otherside of the road here: 28.145567, -14.291915 and follow this down to Risco del Paso and make a loop back to Costa Calma.

Finally, when I say, "cross the island", it would be from Risco del Paso to playa de Cofette. 

[maxieman]

Thank you for the advice. I might hire a couple of tennis raquets and strap them to my boots.

[dampsquib]

Feeling very pleased with myself tonight. Had a fabulous day, and made it down to the Cofete beach from the Casas de Pecenescal. Picked up a Suzuki Jeep again this morning, so headed for the Casas de Pecenescal, and parked on a flattened area just beyond the Casas. Someone else has parked a car near the Casas. I stripped off and headed, first up the track, and then in the dry river bed. Actually today, the track in the river bed looked remarkable tame? It looked like you could get a small car up it with care in 2 or 3 places. It must look worse from a vehicle? It must be something to do with the angle that you see the track from the driver's seat. It was a very pleasant walk and only about 30 minutes to the small plateau where there is relatively new sign pointing back to the Casas de Pecenescal. On the way, I overtook a German guy. I said 'Hi' and he grunted a reply, so I assumed he wasn't impressed by the naked 'weirdo' that had just overtaken him. On reaching the plateau, two other 'Germans'(?) appeared on the summit and they confirmed they'd come up from the beach. I asked if the path was where they had appeared from, but as I asked the question, I could see the a red paint marker and the start of a series of many small cairns.
Many many thanks to the people that went before me leaving red, and sometimes yellow paint markers, and also the many builders of cairns, without you, I would never have dreamt that reaching the beach was possible! The path starts as you head to the sea from the Casas de Pecenescal sign. Having started downhill, it immediately goes left. On the whole the path is easy. There were a couple of places early on where you needed to be careful with your footing, as the ground dropped away steeply to your right. Further down, one well-worn path continued straight ahead, but a small rock wall and paint, urged you to go right down an alternative path. I followed the advice, and continued to the right. Having seen a path from above, it looked at one point that I would be following a different path to the left, but I did eventually end up on the path I'd first seen. Evetually, I dropped down briefly into a Barranco, but after just a few yards, I spotted an arrow indicating that I should climb out again to my left (up a slighlty difficult reddish rockface - but their were semi-steps in the soft rock). After that, I contined to follow the markers and cairns, and nearing the beach, passed some lovely eroded white rock (Made me think of the 'lunar mountains' on Tenerife). Shortly afterwards, I stepped onto the sand after only around 45 minutes from the plateau. I was delighted to be exactly where I'd reached from Cofete a few days ago. Only one rocky outcrop seperated me from the main Cofete beach, but as the tide was low, there was a beach between the rocks and the sea. To my right, was another rocky outcrop. This beach was perhaps a few hundred yards long, unlike the main beach which stretches for miles. Althought, I'd not done Casas de Pecenescal to Cofete in one go, I was delighted to have achieved doing it in two halves. I wish I'd thought to take a small bottle of Cava with me to celebrate the achievement.
Not long after arriving at the beach, the Geramn guy appeared from a different direction. I approached him and we had a nice chat. Rolf/Ralph had missed the climb out of the barranco, and had continued downhill, and then had had a difficult climb down to the beach. Having decided that it would take too long to walk to Cofete and then Morro Jable, Rolf left the beach on the 'official' route back up. The start of the route back up is very difficult to spot from the beach. Thankfully, someone had placed a blue plastic container on a post, to supplement a cairn. You wouldn't want to start climbing up the wrong way from the beach! Looking back up the mountain, it doesn't look possible that there is a route, but somehow someone in the past has found one. Rolf set off back, and I planned to follow after enjoying the beach some more. I love feeding the wildlife in Fuerte', and had monkey nuts in my rucksack just in case. Whilst on the beach, I taken my liner (& contents) out of my rucksack. Just before I packed up, I turned my back for 2 or 3 minutes whilst I took some 'selfies' of myself. When I turned around, a large black bird (Raven?) was helping himself to my nuts. He'd pecked a hole in my liner, then pulled out the bag of nuts, then pecked a whole in that. Cheeky Blighter! (Next Day: Just discovered a large chunk of an un-eaten pear is also missing!). I then spent another 10 minutes feeding the thief and his/her mate. He even caught one nut! I then set off back up hill. In the barranco, I nearly missed my way. I continued up the barranco a few yards, but immediately started to fear that I was in the barranco too long and there was a lack of footsteps or markers. Went back 10 to 20 yards, and spotted the markers I'm missed. Only took about 50 minutes to get back to the plateau, then another 25, back to my jeep. I didn't see the box in the video, nor the wooden 'Playa' sign. Maybe you need GPS for the box (Geocaching)? I expected to catch up Rolf. He was walking back to Costa Calma. I was going to offer him a lift. Unfortunately, I didn't see him again. I guess he must have branched off on a more direct route back to CC.
It was a superb walk. The colours on the way back were fabulous - red, brown, purple, and white rockfaces! The walk was so good, I'm tempted to repeat it. All in all, I had about 4 wonderful hours walking naked, and only saw about 3 people - though that was 3 more than I expected.
After almost 3 weeks of walking now, I'm feeling very fit. Still overweight, but perhaps not as overweight as I was? I walk quite quickly, and I generate a lot of heat and sweat profusely. Walked naked means I stay cool, and not sweaty - well apart from back and rucksack, which both end up soaking. A wonderful day!

[SoCal]

Thank you for the advice. I might hire a couple of tennis raquets and strap them to my boots.

For a full free-hike experience, may I suggest you hike barefooted when in the dunes or the beach. If you are on hard ground or volcanic rock, sandals are usually the closest to being clothing free.   While hiking boots are fine, they don't provide the full naturist feeling. Of course some people like the naked-lumberjack look.   And if the hike is less than a couple hours, you should be able to hike it without water. Hiking with just a pair of sunglasses is the ultimate free-hiking feeling. From Costa Calma, you probably don't need anything other than identification and money on your hike to the bar/pub on the otherside of the island.   Have fun and write about it!

[dampsquib]

Over the last few days (before my wonderful Pecenescal to Cofete beach walk (see earlier post), I have also done the Barranco de Mal Nombre (again) (didn't see a soul), and the Barranco de Esquinzo (Saw 4 people, perhaps as it is easily accessed from developments). The Barrancos all seem to follow a common theme. To start with, they are a mess of abandoned new roads and buldozed areas, then they become really nice, and although the landscape is barren, there's tons of stuff to discover: wells, numerous goat skeletons, old houses, reservoirs, abandoned plantations, unexpected patches of lush vegetation, pretty little colourful flowers amongst the rocks, a Leggo brick (How did that get there?), one lens from someone's smashed binoculars,  etc, etc.
On Sunday, I managed to get up early enough to blag a free ride on the Oasis Park bus (Don't tell 'em!). I then walked south to Costa Calma along the coast. Had to go up and over at first, and didn't strip off until I'd passed a couple of bays where I'd have been heavily outnumbered. Had to dress when I reach my first hotel (Which looked rather nice). I'd originally planned to walk all the way back to Esquinzo, but I'd dawdled too much. Formulated Plan B: Catch the bus to Tierra Dorada, then walk. As I waited for the bus, and thoughts of Gin & Tonics and saunas entered my mind, I switched to Plan C: Get the bus back to base.

[dampsquib]

Enjoyed the Pecenescal to beach walk so much, I did it again today. A little cooler in the wind, but still warm enough for me to be naked. My back was soaked again in sweat. My rucksack is supposed to help ventilate your back. Doesn't work! Sack and back both end up soaking. Passed more people today. Passed 3 couples on the way down. Two just ignored me, but I raised a nice smile from the German lady in the third. One couple had walked from Morro Jable via Cofete. They'd set off about 5 hours earlier, and obviously, still had a lot to do.
Where a good path continues, but a small wall and markers tell you to turn right and go down, today I had a look at the alternative path. Well, I stepped over the wall and walked a few yards around the corner. The path is excellent at first, but it swings around to the left into a kind of ravine, then swings right again. After this the path (from a distance) looked pretty perilous. More a horizontal narrow goat track on a sheer gritty rock-face. I won't be trying that route! I added more rocks to the 'wall'.
On the beach, I sheltered from the wind behind a very large chuck of wood. I fed the two huge black birds again, before they helped themselves. They love monkey-nuts. They would fill up on as many nuts as they could carry, then fly off to their nest(?) to bank their gains. As the wind was strong(ish), when the birds returned, they would have to approach me from down-wind. It was brilliant watching them come into land. I felt like I was on an aircraft carrier, watching jets landing.
Just when I thought the beach was mine, another couple appeared and set off up hill. Spoke to them later. Offered them a lift, but it turned out they were nearly back to their car, they'd used the Pecenescal route to visit El Islote.
When going down, just before the final ascent, a couple of cairns branch to the right. I 'd wondered why they were there, thinking they were of no importance. Realised today that they are the markers if you are coming south along the coastal path from El Jable. The paths seem accurately recorded on my Tablet's 'Maps with me' app. Looks like from El Jable, you drop down to yet another beach for about 2/3rds of a mile, then climb up again and head for the markers mentioned above. It's where you climb up, that 'Maps with me' warns of a rockfall. I guess the odds of you being around when something 'gives' are small, but ....

[dampsquib]

 Hiking with just a pair of sunglasses is the ultimate free-hiking feeling. [/quote]
Know that feeling! Mostly these days, I'm the naked 'lumberjack', but on my first visit to Fuerte' I was with an old school pal. When we ventured south, we went just slightly north of Risco del Paso, on the edge of the lagoon. My mate isn't a naturist, so whilst he was happy to sunbathe naked, he wasn't in to wandering about. Consequently, I was able to leave my 'stuff' safely with him and head off with just a camera. It was a remarkable feeling of freedom! It was also a bizarre un-nerving feeling standing in the middle of the lagoon with water in every direction, yet you knew you were safe, as the water wasn't deep.

[SoCal]

Good lord, dampsquib. I'm going to have to work on my geography when I return. Normally I identify locations by GPS markings because I can't find the names of the places I visit.   Your experiences are similar to mine: most people simply don't care about a naturist hiker. However, the older folks are usually the more amused. Maybe because they have come to realize that life is too short to worry about social norms. Keep it up! (And don't delete your contributions. I need them when I return.) 

[dampsquib]

Another day, another (slightly terrifying) adventure!

Had two more wonderful days.
Yesterday, I headed up the track to Casas de Pecenescal, but took the right fork which heads north and follows the edge of El Jable. My (vague) plan was to walk north-east along the coast to find a shelter I'd found last year, then explore along the coast to the south-west. I couldn't find the shelter. I must get around to getting myself a new GPS device so that I can pinpoint such places. My Kompass map is great for some paths and place names, but it would be nice to precisely pinpoint locations visited.
The shelter was a 'deluxe' stone shelter titled 'Casa Milo'. It was small, but nicely fitted out. Lined with wood, fitted with shelves and seats, and decorated with various odds and ends: fishing floats, etc, etc. Maybe it was further along the coast than I'd remembered, or maybe it has been remodelled by the sand - but I didn't find it anyway. I did find another substantial 'horseshoe' circle - full of sand. Various others were full of sand too. I started digging and quickly found a 'spade-sized' piece of wood. That helped increase my digging rate. Dug out about half, and made a 'door' with the unwanted sand. Had a lovely hour or so in my shelter. The sun was hot. It was breezy, but I was sheltered. I'd taken a small bottle of chilled Cava with me, wrapped in my towel. I could see a huge chunk of landscape, but as I sat there, it was all mine – didn't see a moving thing. I was surprised that there were no passing vehicles in the distance. In the past, I've seen a few adventurous types – though there did seem to be more sand over the tracks this time, and I'd abandoned my Jeep earlier along the track than before. In the shelter my digging did produce various items of clothing and a blanket, and a yellow pillow case – left that flying as a flag. By the time I got moving again, it was too late to explore south-west. In that afternoon, I didn't see a soul. I was late picking up my Jeep and heading home. Just as I arrived at the Casa de Pecenescal fork, a young German couple were passing. I was about to offer them a lift, but the girl flagged me down, and asked for a lift to the road. They were very very lucky: I was late, no other vehicles would be passing, and I'd only just put my clothes on! They'd hitched to Cofete, then walked along the beach and up to the Casas de P. They were staying in Costa. Wrong direction for me, but only a short journey in a car, so instead of dropping them on the main road, I took them to Costa. Drove home feeling 'good'!

Today, I extended my Jeep hire by a day – as I was enjoying it so much. I was feeling guilty about failing to attempt to walk south-west along the coast from El Jable (as it's called on my Kompass map): the sandy low section of the island. So I decided to have another go. Parked in the same place as before alongside another Jeep from the same company. The 4-wheel drive option had already come in useful, but I didn't want to risk going further. My Suzuki has 4-wheel drive and a low-ratio setting, but I don't really know what I'm doing, so don't know what the Jeep can and can't cope with. I headed to the coast and picked up the narrow coastal path. Mostly, it was OK - sometimes wide, but often narrow and goat-tracky. On a parallel path further up hill, I saw my first naked rambler. His partner was following clothed. Shame they were on another path, it would have been nice to say 'Hello' to a fellow-free hiker. Eventually, my route led me down to the beach (low tide was coming). Lots of rubbish on the beach – but I quite like looking through it. Found some nice rope to untangle and a few colourful floats. I also found a huge buoy with the words Fisher Prize 82 and a phone number on it. Huge, as it was around half a metre in diameter. Intrigued, I took it with me – it wasn't the best of travelling companions! At the end of a long beach section, I came to what must be the 'Danger Rockfall' on my 'Maps with me' app. It looked fresh (lots of jagged edges still), I guess that's why it got a mention on the map. Getting around it didn't seem too bad, there was a 45 degree wall of black rock to the left of the fallen rocks. I read about a 30 foot wall of rock on this route (on this forum I think). Well ,if this was it, my chances of reaching the foot of the Pecenescal route seemed good. I continued along a goat path. Stone men were rarely to be seen. Now, at this point, I wish my short-term memory was better, as I'd forgotten something rather important! Eventually, I found myself in a gully of loose stones. I could see the beach I wanted to reach only around 100 metre around the corner, and perhaps 50 feet below me. But how to reach it? I puzzled over what was in front of me. Is that the path? Don't fancy it, even if it is, it's very badly eroded underneath, and I've seen what happens eventually to thin shelves of rock. Is the way slightly higher up? Don't fancy risking that either, as I don't know what is around the corner. In searching for the way ahead, I'd lost track of how I'd arrived at this point, so I was in a bit of a pickle. Perhaps the best thing is to head upwards – but not with my large pink sidekick. I wouldn't normally throw things off cliffs, but I let my buoy go and watched it bounce down to the rocks below, hoping that I might just be able to retrieve it, if ever I made the beach. Heading up the slope was tricky, but feasible. Eventually, up above me and to the right a little cairn (or stone-man) came into view. It was a very welcome sight! When I reached him, I gave him a kiss! I was on the bottom part of the Pecenescal footpath. Now it was just an easy 200 metres to the beach. Once there, I looked around the corner, and with a little paddling in shallow water, I was able to retrieve my buoy. Unfortunately, it was now 16:30 and thoughts of getting back were high on my agenda. I decided that I wasn't going to attempt to retrace my steps. Heading up the 'easy' P route seemed the best bet, then I'd have to walk the track into the dunes to reach my Jeep. It's going to be dark when I reach my jeep, but at least I know the track for the last hour will be easy and safe.
Whilst I was packing up, a couple of other walkers appeared along the beach and headed upwards.
I set off on my long-but-safe route back to my Jeep. A few hundred yards later, when I climbed up on to a flatter area, I saw two cairns going off to the left. Doh! You saw these earlier in the week! The route along the coast here is much higher up than where you were. Seeing the cairns tempted me to follow the coast after all. There wasn't a path after the cairns, but it was a relatively easy walk across a flattish area covered in small rocks. Thankfully this led me back to the 45 degree black rock slope. Trickier going down than up, but I managed, after sending my buoy bouncing down to the beach again. After that, it was long walk along the beach, then I headed upwards again. Perhaps a little too early, but my walk up a dry river bed with 'steps' was easy enough. Eventually, I reached sand. Shortly afterwards a pickup truck appeared. He headed towards me. The night he encountered a naked man with a large buoy at dusk will be one he won't forget in a hurry. He said 'Hola' as he passed, then did a u-turn. He stopped and took some interest in my buoy. I tried to say that I'd be looking on the internet to discover what the message meant. In the half-light, I hadn't realised that I was already at the junction of tracks. When the pick-up set off, I followed, but the driver pointed to the right, and gestured 'steering-wheel'. My Jeep, a welcome sight, was indeed just around the corner. Made the Jeep at 19:10. Good, too late for my usual sauna, but still in plenty of time for 'last-orders' at dinner. Dinner might have been touch and go, if I'd gone the longer way around.
Friday will now be my last Jeep day, but I think I will do something less ambitious.
Still, I'm feeling quite please with myself. I'm now approched the foot of the Pecenscal path from all three directions!
Socal - Hope my 'ramblings' are of some use, and I'll look forward to reading of your adventures.

[SoCal]

Greetings!  Well the first day made a great deal of sense as it was the path I followed, but always walking, not in a jeep.  IMO, the view from the top of the ridge looking north east is spectacular.  Going up to the ridge a bit dull since one is in a canyon nearly all of the way. Going back is better.

But the second day made little sense on first passing. Between Google Maps and my AA map with many names, I'm not sure where the heck you are. And I tend to avoid terrifying adventures. (Okay, I do look for them, but prefer to choose other routes.)

Expect my reports about hikes to be less descriptive and more sterile.    The important thing is to have others recognize Fuerteventura as a free-hiker's paradise!   

P.S. I have asked one police officer about proper attire while driving. He said other than making sure you wear shoes or sandals, they couldn't care less about anything else.

[dampsquib]

Interesting that you mention driving. When I've spent the day naked, I always head for the tarmac road before getting dressed. When returning from Cofete, this gives me another 40 minutes naked. My lack of clothes might be alarming for hitch-hikers, but I'm usually late, so never see any. The Pecesescal walkers the other day were lucky. I'd stopped for a pee and it was getting chilly, so I'd just dressed before seeing them. Still, if you're late back from a walk, and tarmac is some way away, a lift from a naked man might still be very welcome.
Last year I did drive naked down the highway briefly. I was returning early from El Jable and thought I would call briefly at one of the circles I use on my beach walks to see if any squirrels were still about. It seemed silly to get dressed just for 5 to 10 minutes, so I didn't bother. I don't think I would make a habit of it though, I'd be worried about causing an accident when some driver of a high vehicle looked down and was startled. Perhaps more of a problem if you were female, and some lorry driver was attempting to see more?
Yesterday's pickup driver puzzled me. His truck had something like 'Medio Ambienete' on the side. Pretty sure I've remembered the second word correctly, not so sure with the first word. 'AMBienete' made me start thinking (at the time) about ambulances, but I see it translates to Envirnonment (as in ambient temperature, Doh!). I wonder what he was doing there? Just enjoying an evening drive? Or was it something more official? Like checking for stranded tourists?
Like all adventures, in the cold light of day, yesterday's adventure doesn't seem quite so much an adventure now. The only very bad bit, was as I reached the final beach, but it seemed out of reach as I must have strayed off the path (such as it was).
On the Pecenescal path, there were loads of cairns (little 'stone-men') and a helpful 'Don't go this way wall'. I added to the wall and to some of the cairns - even though there were already plenty. Yesterday, on a route that was badly in need of more cairns, I didn't add to any, as I was so concerned about safely getting there (& back). Shame, I didn't have more time to help future walkers.

[dampsquib]

Today, was the last day with a Jeep, so I went to the Roque del Moro beach and walked most of the way north-east to Cofete. Didn't see a soul. Breezy, but still lovely sunshine. Two or three more vehicles had appeared when I got back to my Jeep. Then headed naked back over the pass. There must have been and incident down towards the lighthouse, I was passed by an ambulance, then later a police car - both with flashing lights.
Back to bus and beach walks tomorrow for the next (& last) 4 days.

[dampsquib]

Bus & Beach Day 2 - 2 to go!
Managed to get one of my preferred circles yesterday & today. Fed my squirrels, lizards, small birds, and best of all, my large black bird (Raven?). I say 'my', but he''s anyone's for a monkey nut or two  and a little fresh water. Then I walked back to Esquinzo along the beach. Tonight the tide was perfect. Managed most of the way on sand in the edge of the waves. Had the honour of putting the eyes on the 'frog' and also gave him a makeover with stuff I'd collected from the wild west coast. Hopefully there is a photo below .... but this is my first attempt at including a photo.

The mid-afternoon clouds drove most people away, but then it brightened again into a glorious late afternoon. This brought more beach walkers out again. I was in heaven though - walking in the waves, so if they can't deal with me enjoying myself, being no bother to anyone, 'Tough'.
I love this place!

[dampsquib]

Attempt Number 2

[dampsquib]

Mmmm, my attempts to upload a photo didn't work too well. Well, it made it as far as my 'Album'. I'll have to have another go when I get home. Sadly this is my last night at the Fueterventura Princess in Esquinzo. I will look forward to coming back.
Socal, the freehiking is now up to you! I look forward to reading where you get to (clinical or otherwise). Many thanks for encouraging me to do more freehiking, by your posts in the past.
Try it folks! You won't want to ramble with clothes on ever again!

[SoCal]

Socal, the freehiking is now up to you! I look forward to reading where you get to (clinical or otherwise). Many thanks for encouraging me to do more freehiking, by your posts in the past.
Try it folks! You won't want to ramble with clothes on ever again!

Thank you dampsquib for your postings.

You leave big boots to fill... especially if much of my hiking is in sandals or barefoot. Please note that  I'm not the only one who has appreciated your contributions to the forum.