jueves, 21 de mayo de 2015

Signposting path

Already some paths have been published and still there remain great more. But in this occasion one will speak on the signposting of the same ones (rather a small summary).


Signs that indicate a path
In some publications it has been named like to continue the path that is described, many of which are put up signs and to certain distances it is found the signs that indicate the direction to continue. In other occasions, on the contrary, there is not put up signs and it is the own already made path the one that guides us (in the own soil); or a former plate of path where one sees the image of a dolly (a hiker with rucksack); or finally the stones put by previous hikers.

Signs of a path with numbers
In the beginning of the approved paths (that are those paths that are identified by the signs and authorized by the autonomous and / or territorial federation). Normally there is an informative panel, in which we can see the tour, distance, difference, information of interest ... and also there appear the signs and the meaning of the same ones.

Explanatory poster at the beginning of a path
This sign indicates the type of tour that we are going to realize; it is this "GR" Great Tour (red color), "PR" Small Tour (yellow color) ó "SL" Local Path (green color).These come identified by different colors (already above mentioned), and on occasions there are superposed two types of different paths (because a section of  Great Tour passes for a Small Tour or for Local Path; a section of Small Tour passes for a Local Path; etc). They indicate us the way that we must take, if we continue well, if we have been wrong, where we take the curve to, etc (these can be painted on rocks or in sticks).


The first image we have the informative panel, indicating in red
the zone where the signs are. The second image
 the signs extracted of the first image.

All this information remains reflected in the presentation (*) of FEDME (Spanish Federation of Sports of Mountain and Climbing, web page: http: // www.fedme.es/). In case of Canaries we have FECAMON (Canary Federation of Mountaineering, web page: http: // fecamon.es/).

(*) http://www.fedme.es/salaprensa/upfiles/294_F_es.pdf (link where the signs are explained, in Spanish)

Signs of a path, where this one it is a part of one Small Tour
and of Great Tour. 





Señalización de Senderos


Ya se han publicado algunos senderos y todavía quedan muchos más. Pero en esta ocasión se hablará sobre la señalizacion de los mismos (más bien un pequeño resumen). 


Señales indican sendero
En algunas publicaciones se ha nombrado como continuar el sendero que se está describiendo, muchos de los cuales están señalizados y a ciertas distancias se encuentran las señales que indican la dirección a seguir. En otras ocasiones, por el contrario, se han cogido caminos no señalizados y es el propio sendero ya hecho el que nos guía (en el propio suelo); o bien una antigua placa de sendero donde se ve la imagen de un muñequita (senderista con mochila); o por ultimo las piedras puestas por anteriores senderistas. 

Indicación de sendero con número
Al comienzo de los senderos homologados (que son aquellos senderos que están identificados por las señaleticas y homologados por la federación autonómica y/o territorial) normalmente hay un panel informativo, en que podemos ver el recorrido, distancia, desnivel, datos de interés... y también aparecen las señales y el significado de las mismas.

Cartel informativo a principio de sendero
Esta señales identifican el tipo de recorrido que vamos a realizar; sea este Gran Recorrido (color rojo), Pequeño Recorrido (color amarillo) ó Sendero local (color verde). Estos vienen identificados por diferentes colores (ya dicho), y en ocasiones se superponen dos tipos de senderos diferentes (porque un tramo de Gran Recorrido pasa por un Pequeño Recorrido o por Sendero Local; un tramo de Pequeño Recorrido pasa por Sendero Local; etc). Nos indican el camino que debemos tomar, si seguimos bien, si nos hemos equivocado, para donde cogemos la curva, etc (estos pueden estar pintados sobre rocas o bien en palos).


Primera imagen tenemos el panel informativo, señalando en rojo
la zona donde se encuentra la señalitca. Segunda imagen la
señaletica sacada de la primera imagen. 

Toda esta información queda reflejada en la presentación (*) de FEDME (Federación Española de Deportes de Montaña y Escalada, página web: http://www.fedme.es/). En el caso de Canarias tenemos FECAMON (Federación Canaria de Montañismo, página web: http://fecamon.es/) 

(*) http://www.fedme.es/salaprensa/upfiles/294_F_es.pdf  (enlace donde se explica la señaletica) 

Señales de sendero, donde este tramo es parte de un
Pequeño Recorrido y de un Gran Recorrido:



miércoles, 13 de mayo de 2015

La Guancha (En)

Municipality: La Guancha 



History


Before the conquest, it is thought that the aboriginal core should have placed in the environment of " The Fountains of the Guancha ", due to the abundance of springs. Near these births of water, along the municipality, they have found numerous findings, especially pieces of ceramics.

After the ending of the conquest in 1496, the lands of this zone were not covered completely, for the malpaíses (It is an accident of the relief characterized by the presence of rocks little eroded of volcanic origin in an arid environment). The only local settlers were some aborigines grancanarios (from Gran Canaria, to those who gave each other the first portions of lands for having helped in the conquest of Tenerife). With this accession there would be born the coastal neighborhood of Santa Catalina.

View from La Guancha

Between the cultures that were produced in the zone, the maize was, principally, followed by the wheat, potatoes and the grapevine. As for the handcrafted production, the market was for a local supply, as the greatest percentage of the cultures.

The population of the municipality was principally established in Santa Catalina and distributed in the field (but in minor number). The property of the land was divided between foreign, or small estates that were loaded with taxes (obligatory presentation). Nevertheless, the municipality saw a decrease of the population for facts as; the great alluvium of 1826; the intense deforestation (that was doing that the rains were turning into floods); and the crisis after the Napoleonic wars, originating a massive emigration, to places as Venezuela and the Greater Antilles.

Santa Catalina
With the arrival of new cultures, the return of the emigrants and other economic improvements that the island would suffer; it does that the municipality returns to increase in population (a fact that repeats itself along the whole island geography). 

Representative buildings 


Casco Antiguo de Santa Catalina (Old town of Santa Catalina): It was the first population nucleus of the zone, and in where we can find the hermitage constructed in 1510 by the first settlers, grancanarios, and reconstructed in 1867 due to the alluvium of 1826, which destroyed it largely.

In the surrounding areas, there are still some houses of Canary typology, exactly in the "calle real" royal way (today it is divided  into "camino real cañada baja" and "calle real"). It is emphasized between the casona (big house) of the Falcon family and the one built by Felipe Perez Rodríguez at the end of the XIXth, on two floors and of neoclassic style and adorned with hewn stone in the corners. 

One of the streets
Iglesia corazón de Jesús (Church Jesus' Heart): Of Mudejar style (It is an artistic style that develops in the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian peninsula, but that Hispanic - Muslim incorporates influences, elements or materials of style).  It is a building of 1579 as hermitage and before the increasing population wide in 1609 it was reformed as a parish. It is a church of two ships, separated by round arches and possesses a Mudejar roof.

In the interior we find altarpieces of the 18th century and pieces and images of great artistic and historical value.

Door

Taller de Artesanía (Workshop of Crafts):It was born from the good acceptance that it had the Fair of Crafts of the municipality in all the editions. The birth was the result of the union of the neighboring craftsmen who up to this moment were dispersed for the municipality and for what could get lost some of the handcrafted modalities.

It possesses a varied range of rooms where it is elaborated and the samples of pottery are exposed, raffia, basket-making, fret, loom, etc.

Workshop

Bodegas (cellar): one of the places that to visit and where to prove wine one of the zone. Many of them are found by us in former Canary houses.

Vineyard
Since always, we mention some of the heritages of each municipality, in this case we have centred on the old town of Santa Catalina (as core) and some more representative real estate. But we never forget that along the whole geography of the municipality we find samples of real estate of Canary typology preserved well and that they must be visiting.


Old Hauses

martes, 14 de abril de 2015

La Guancha


Municipio: La Guancha


Historia 

Antes de la conquista, se cree que el núcleo aborigen debió situarse en el entorno de "Las Fuentes de la Guancha", debido a la abundancia de manantiales. Cerca de estos nacimientos de agua, a lo largo del municipio, se han encontrado numerosos hallazgos, sobre todo piezas de cerámica.

Tras la finalización de la conquista en 1496, las tierras de esta zona no fueron codiciadas del todo, por sus malpaíses. Los únicos pobladores del lugar fueron algunos aborígenes grancanarios (a los que se les dieron las primeras porciones de tierras por haber ayudado en la conquista de Tenerife). Con este asentamiento nacería el barrio costero de Santa Catalina (ermita vinculada a la evangelización grancanaria). 

Entre los cultivos que se producían en la zona, el millo era el principal, seguido del trigo, las papas y la vid. En cuanto a la producción artesanal, su mercado era para un abastecimiento local, al igual que el gran porcentaje de sus cultivos.

Desde la TF-342
La población del municipio se encontraba principalmente en Santa Catalina y repartidos por el campo (pero en menor número). La propiedad de la tierra estaba dividida entre foráneos, o pequeñas fincas que se encontraban cargadas de tributos (prestación pecunaria obligatoria). Sin embargo, el municipio ve una disminución de su población por hechos como; el gran aluvión de 1826; la intensa deforestación (que hacía que las lluvias se convirtieran en riadas); y la crisis después de las guerras napoleónicas, originando una emigración masiva, a lugares como Venezuela y las Grandes Antillas.

Con la llegada de nuevos cultivos, el retorno de los emigrantes y demás mejoras económicas que sufriría la isla, hace que el municipio vuelva a aumentar en población (hecho que se repite a lo largo de toda la geografía isleña).

Antigua Casa en La Guancha (núcleo poblacional)

Inmuebles a Visitar

Casco antiguo de Santa Catalina: Fue el primer núcleo poblacional de la zona, y en el podemos encontrar la ermita construida en 1510 por los primeros pobladores, grancanarios, y reconstruida en 1867 debido al aluvión de 1826, que la destruyó en gran parte.

En las inmediaciones, nos encontramos todavía algunas casas de tipología canaria, exactamente en la camino real (hoy dividido entro camino real cañada baja y calle real). Se destacan entre ellas la casona de la familia Falcón y la edificada por Felipe Pérez Rodríguez a finales del XIX, de dos plantas y de estilo neoclásico y adornada por cantería en las esquinas.

Ermita de Santa Catalina
Iglesia Corazón de Jesús: De estilo mudéjar es una edificación de 1579 como ermita. Ante la creciente población se amplia en 1609. Es una iglesia de dos naves, separadas por arcos de medio punto y posee una techumbre mudéjar. 

En el interior encontramos retablos del siglo XVIII y piezas e imágenes de gran valor artístico e histórico.

Iglesia Corazón de Jesús
Taller de Artesanía: se crea a partir de la buena aceptación que tuvo la Feria de Artesanía del municipio en todas sus ediciones. Su nacimiento fue el resultado de la unión de los vecinos artesanos que hasta ese momento se encontraban dispersos por el municipio y por lo que se podía perder algunas de las modalidades artesanales.

Posee una variada gama de salas en donde se elaboran y se exponen las muestras de alfarería, rafia, cestería, calado, telar, etc.

Taller de Artesanía

Bodegas: uno de los lugares que visitar y donde probar vino de la zona, son sus bodegas, muchas de ellas las encontramos en antiguas casas canarias.

Viña
Como siempre, mencionamos algunos de los patrimonios de cada municipio, en este caso nos hemos centrado en el Casco de Santa Catalina (como núcleo) y algunos inmuebles más representativos. Pero nunca nos olvidamos que a lo largo de toda la geografía del municipio encontramos muestras de bienes inmuebles de tipología canaria bien conservados y que merecen la pena visitar.


miércoles, 4 de marzo de 2015

Path of Fasnia Volcano

Municipality: Fasnia
Aprosimate time: 3:00
Maximun Height: 2338m (aprox)
Minimun Height: 2184m (aprox)
Distance (Km): 7,2Km (aprox)




Area Information

We are before Fasnia's volcano, an eruption fisural, it is called to this way to the eruptions where the magma is crossing a crack or fissure going out to the surface for different points of the same one
In this case, in this crack the lava went out to the surface in three points, giving place to; the Volcán Negro de Siete Fuentes (it entered eruption 1704, 13 days of duration); Volcán de Fasnia (eruption between January 5 and 13, 1705, 8 days of duration); and to Volcán de Arafo or Volcán de las Arenas (24 days of duration). The volcanic cones were formed in a line of 12 Km in the Dorsal de la Esperazan or Dorsal de  Pedro Gil.

This eruption took place between 1704-1705, as a consequence, we are before a historical eruption. This kind of eruption is called to the eruptions happened after the conquest having an index in writing of the same ones.

Fasnia Volcano
The vegetation of the this zone in the main composed by the brooms (Spartocytisus supranubius), which are used by the apiarists taking advantage of the flowering to obtain the honey of broom. Also, we can see, hierba pajonera (Descurainia Bourgeauana) and rosalillos de monte(Pterocephalus lasiospermus). The volcano is still of a recent eruption, being able to be verified to simple sight, since it does not possess settling of any vegetation.

As for the fauna we find cernícalos (Falco tinnunculus), bisbitas camineros (Anthus berthelotti), mosquiteros  (Phylloscopus collybita) and currrucas tomilleras (Sylvia conspicillata).

View to the Teide
The erosion, the run-off and the forts winds are the principal cast-makers of this volcano, compound cone of zahorra (a material similar to the arena) that has been becoming dilapidated. It is characterized by the black color and where they can appreciate the explosive materials thrown during the eruption, since it still has not oxidized.

Description of the path



The drop of the path
This time we are in the Pedro Gil's dorsal one, exactly next to the highest point, Izaña (it is here where we find the Observatory of the Teide). To come to this path we take the TF-24, the road of La Esperanza. We begin for a track right next to the TF-514 (road that takes us to the observatory).

This one is the path number 20 of the National Park of the Teide, for what we find with a put up signs and delimited path. Initials of the same one we find a cartel with the description of the path and also with a cartel where there has allowed the entry of certain types of vehicles (especially in epochs of hunt it is where more these vehicles are going to be seen).

In this case we go out from the viewing-point of the Corral del Niño, place where it was parked. Ways a few meters from the road (for ignorance if it had or not a small path that was connecting both parts) and we come to the attached track to Izaña.

TF-24
Removing the part of the park, the path we begin it in Izaña's crossing. This first part of the path, we cross it for an almost level track (something of inclination has, but imperceptibly) until we come to the own volcano.There is a railing (sticks of wood) that delimits the zone during the whole tour, being able neither to turn aside from the path nor accede to the own volcano (the most logical thing, since it is zahorra and if not nowadays we might not see it). From this first part we have to the right hand the Teide and to the left hand the observatory.

After passing a few meters right in front of the volcano, we find the continuation of the path to the right hand, there is a barrier and stuck to the same sign of a path. In this section it is necessary to guide for the indicate since the delimiting of the own way is not so clear, and if it has rained (or snow-capped mountain) before less still, puddles are formed. There are seen small streets that the way of the water has opened, there have crawled the stones that were forming the way, etc.

Poster at the beginning
In this section, we go in direction again towards the road passing for Cañada las vacas y Montaña Abreu, having to the left hand the Teide, and to the right hand the observatory.

It is a circular path and also to remember that in the zone there are apical settlement during the epoch of flowering and is a zone of the hunt.

Volcano

martes, 3 de febrero de 2015

Volcán de Fasnia


Municipio: Alto de Fasnia.
Duración aproximada del camino: 3:00h
Desnivel máximo: 2338 m
Desnivel mínimo: 2184 m
Distancia [Km]: 7,2 Km


Información sobre la zona


Nos encontramos ante el volcán de Fasnia, una erupción fisural, se llama así a las erupciones en donde el magma va recorriendo una grieta o fisura saliendo a la superficie por distintos puntos de la misma. En este caso, en esta grieta la lava salió a la superficie en tres puntos, dando lugar al Volcán Negro de Siete Fuentes (entró en erupción en 1704, 13 días de duración) Volcán de Fasnia ( erupción entre el 5 y 13 de enero de 1705, 8 días de duración) y al Volcán de Arafo o Volcán de las Arenas (24 días de duración). Los conos volcánicos se formaron en una línea de 12 Km en la Dorsal de la Esperanza o Pedro Gil.

Al haber tenido lugar entre 1704- 1705 nos encontramos ante una erupción histórica, llamadas así a las erupciones ocurridas después de la conquista teniendo referencias por escrito de las mismas. 

Al fondo, el volcán y Guajara
La vegetación de la zona esta en su mayoría compuesta por las retamas (Spartocytisus supranubius), que son utilizadas por los colmeneros aprovechando su floración para la obtener la miel de retama. También podemos encontrarnos, hierba pajonera (Descurainia Bourgeauana) y rosalillos de cumbre (Pterocephalus lasiospermus). El volcán todavía es de una erupción reciente, pudiéndose comprobar a simple vista, ya que no posee colonización de vegetación alguna.

En cuanto a la fauna encontramos cernícalos (Falco tinnunculus), bisbitas camineros (Anthus berthelotti), mosquiteros (Phylloscopus collybita) y currrucas tomilleras (Sylvia conspicillata). 

La erosión, la escorrentía y los fuertes vientes son los principales moldeadores de este cono volcánico, compuesto de zahorra que se ha ido desmantelando. Se caracteriza por su color negro y en donde se pueden apreciar los materiales explosivos arrojados durante las erupción, ya que todavía no se han oxidado. 

Inicio del sendero

Descripción del sendero


Recorrido y mapa de elevación

Esta vez nos encontramos en la dorsal de Pedro Gil, exactamente al lado de su punto más alto, Izaña (es aquí donde encontramos el Observatorio del Teide). Para llegar a este sendero cogemos la TF-24, la carretera de la Esperanza. Comenzamos por una pista justo al lado de la TF-514 (carretera que nos lleva al observatorio).

Este es el sendero número 20 del Parque Nacional del Teide, por lo que encontramos con un sendero señalizado y delimitado. Al principio del mismo encontramos un cartel con la descripción del sendero y también con un cartel donde se permite la entrada de ciertos tipos de vehículos (sobre todo en épocas de cacería es donde más se van a ver estos vehículos). 

Cartel de Sendero
En este caso salimos desde el mirador del Corral del Niño, lugar donde se aparcó. Caminos unos metros por la carretera (por desconocimiento si había o no un pequeño sendero que conectara ambas partes) y llegamos a la pista anexa a Izaña.

Llegando al volcán
Quitando la parte del estacionamiento, el sendero lo comenzamos en el cruce de Izaña. Esta primera parte del sendero, la recorremos por una pista casi llana (algo de inclinación tiene, pero imperceptible) hasta que llegamos al propio volcán. Hay una baranda (palos de madera) que delimita la zona durante todo el recorrido, no pudiendo desviarnos del sendero ni acceder al propio volcán (lo más lógico, ya que es zahorra y si no hoy en día no lo podríamos ver). Desde esta primera parte tenemos a mano derecha el Teide y a mano izquierda el observatorio.

Después de pasar unos metros justo delante del volcán, encontramos la continuación del sendero a mano derecha hay una barrera y pegada a la misma la señal de sendero. En este tramo hay que guiarse por la señales ya que la delimitación del propio camino no es tan clara, y si ha llovido (o nevado) previamente menos todavía, se forman charcos, se ven pequeñas calles que ha dejado el paso del agua, se han arrastrado las piedras que formaban el camino, etc.

En este tramo, vamos en dirección de nuevo hacia la carretera (pasando por Cañada las Vacas y Montaña Abreu), teniendo a mano izquierda el Teide, y a mano derecha el observatorio.

Volcán
Es un sendero circular  y también recordar que en la zona hay asentamientos apícolas durante la época de floración y es zona de caza. 

miércoles, 10 de diciembre de 2014

The old town of Los Silos

Municipality: Los Silos


History

The municipality formed a part of the Menceyato de Daute. After the conquest, it  was occupied by Castilians, Catalans, Extremaduran, Portuguese and Genoeses.

The name of the municipality owes to the underground deposits for cereals that it  was constructed by Gonzalo Yanes (one dealt more rich settlers of the region in the 16th century), taking part in the agrarian development of the zone with the acquisition the ingenuity of  El Adelantado and wide byline of lands.

A house in the old town
In the mediocrities cereals was cultivated (it is still cultivated), whereas on the coast the sugar cane. In the 16th century, the sugar cane already did not take possibilities as a culture of export, for what it was cultivated for the internal market.

In the 17th century, the vineyard occupied the zones dedicated to the cane, but the wine crisis of the 18th century and the abandon of the culture of the malvasías,  the vidueño was generalized (vineyard of the only  variety), followed  by the wheat and potatoes.

In the 19th century, cultures as the wood-louse and the sugar were introduced (that they won´t last very much at the time). In the 20th century the expansion of the banana plantation began turning into the predominant culture of the lower zones.

The street of the old town
The society of the epoch was not possessing schools, scarcely any little ones were those who could read and write (some women and the sacristan were giving classes). The lands were in the hands of big owners and the majority of the population was divided between laborers, dividing and some smallholders. The cereal crises, the plagues of lobsters, Portugal's emancipation, etc, force that there were family emigrations. With the arrival of the banana (new culture and the tourism, it does that the population stops emigrating).

In 1812 the municipality possessed its own Town hall, that after the expropriation of San Bernardo's convent, this one passed to be its  headquarters..

Representative Building


El Casco de los Silos (old town): it was declared in 2004. Its nucleus foundational is located in the environment of the Plaza de la Luz, a place with eclectic airs. Concerning  the square there get up some of the most ancient buildings of the village. Still it can be found the traditional real estate of the 17th century and the XVIIIth, with covers of Arabic tile to three and to four waters, and symmetrical hollows in the fronts.


A house in the core

Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Luz:  In 1570 Los Silos  would possess its own Church. In its origin, it only was possessing  a ship and the major chapel. It  possesses a Mudejar ceiling of the couple  and knuckle. In 1629 there was constructed the major chapel, which would be reformed in 1680. The construction of both lateral chapels in 1641 completed the temple. In the year 2001 it was finished the reform, which will modify specially its front.

Church
Between the scriptures that the Church possesses, there is the Christ of the Mercy, who is considered to be an Andalusian height of great value and antiquity , position  in an altarpiece - niche manierista. The Master of the Humility and Patience, middle of the 17th century and its altarpiece - niche exemplifies the baroque of return. San Antonio Abbot is an example of the Canary baroque of the 18th century.

Bath
Convento de San Sebastián: San Bernardo's convent of San Sebastian, of the Nuns of San Bernardo. It was declared BIC in 1986. Two landowners were the managers in 1649 by founding the convent. The construction of the building is simple, and in 1698 it was extended due to the contiguous purchase of a few houses. The structure is created from a cloister and court. The employment of poor materials, as the rubble and the tile, they give place to a building of simple forms, though the site is an object of diverse reforms and added during the 20th century, as the incorporation of a great balustrade. The Declared Historical Monument is restored once, and one added a modern tower.

Ex-Convent
On the Coast of Los Silos:

Horno de Cal: They are two ovens destined for the manufacture of lime for agricultural use and as materials of construction. The most ancient dates back to the 19th century (according to oral sources), another one goes to print the date of 1931. It is a question of a simple made building of stone, that it has the hollows of exit of smoke of the bonfires.

Oven
Ingenio de Azúcar: This ingenuity belonged  to Gonzalo Yanez. It relied on a chimney of obsidian, that still it continues. (The ship that is structured next to the chimney corresponds  to a packging company of bananas that constitutes a singular example of the industrial architecture of the 20th century).

The tower is the Ingenio
Caseta del telegrafo (telegraph´s cubicle): It is constructed in 1883 allowing the communication between La Palma and Tenerife across a submarine cable, this shade would shelter the zone of the tie of the cable. With the passage of time and the action of the sea it would  remain closed. In 2001 the restoration was realized. 

The cubicle of the telegraph

We do not owe of forgetting, that in the different core populations of Los Silos it can be visited some samples of Canary architecture.