Visiting old emptied dam with the Traska Summiteer

This Sunday went with a friend and my two sons to visit an old emptied dam near of the city where I live. This natural protected area is called Artikutza ande used to be the water supply of San Sebastian, Spain, for a couple of decades. The dam got emptied back in 2019 and ever since nature is making its way with plants, trees and mushrooms of a wide variety.

This are the gates of the dam. Now are open to allow the normal flow of the Artikutza river.

When I go out to the "wild" I no longer take the Explorer because I fear too much damaging it. Yes, I'm being honest here. But I take the Traska Summiteer Sandstone which is conquering the first place as my favorite watch because how affordable, versatile, rough and elegant it is. Here with my favorite NATO strap, the first one I ever got.

Here is the bedrock of the dam. The dark line where trees are grown shows the limit of the water it contained. All plants and trees under that line are under four years old.

My mountaineer pal, he's an expert in biodiversity and studies that zone but in search of invertebrates. This is a friendly mare that came to say hi to us.

It was rainy.

This is a true exploring tool watch together with one of my knifes (Opinel). Both rugged, practical, comfortable and ready to do their job they way they were designed too. And both affordable.

This is the bedrock of the dam. Now empty. Many plants and trees conquering the new "mainly" dry floor.

Here I'm touching this log that has remained over 70 years under the water. It's now black and still strong. Is amazing how water can keep wood pretty well preserved.

We saw these beautiful colored mushrooms that reminded me of Studio Underd0g but also of the colors the Traska Summiteer has depending on the light. Not here as the light was quite cold thus the sandstone looked more subtle.

Mushrooms grow on dead trees. Life makes its way with this awesome brown color.

More amazing colors in the reign of fungi. in this case green and yellow.

Here my son and my daughter and my friend in the background.

And me flexing the Summiteer. Such an awesome watch to explore with.

Nature at its best...

And now for something completely different:

Number 1.

The Larch:

Thanks for reading so far!