sorry had to go last night
read last years log Day 1-Travelled from Malaga in the worst hire car ever, no brakes, metal on metal job, just as well you don’t use them going uphill. Overnight in the apartments of the Hotel Poqueira in Capileira. In the evening we walked down to Bubion on the road and then on a path back to Capileira.
Day 2-Walked from Capileira North along the valley to Poqueira Refuge. Just passed the power station the path notice stated the route was closed and the river dangerous to cross. Headed on and crossed the river ok but the path must have changed or been washed away. Found a route but it involved a steep climb up a rock face. Had lunch at Refuge (I need it my tank was on empty). Walked down to Capileira but via the Hoya Portilla. The last section was all Zigzags and a really a bore. Each road edge had a deep ditch so going in a straight line was hard going. Take any route that ignores the road route from the Hoya. Covered 30K and the rise was 1050 mts.
Day 3-Took the bus from Capileira passed the Hoya Potilla and to Mirador de Trevelez. 3.5 K from Mirador to the Poqueira refuge with full kit. Headed up the Roi Mulhacen River up to Caldera refuge. Climbed the first peak over 3000 mts, Puntal de Loma Pelada 3185 mts. Headed up towards the North face of Mulhacen to 3200 mts. Did not climb more because of the late afternoon but looking back we could have made it before night. Followed the road towards the Mirador then dropped down unto the back of the Poqueira refuge. (700 mts climb)
Day 4
Headed towards the Mirador then trekked left follow the snow poles, crossed the road unto Mulhacen ridge. Climbed to Mulhacen II (3362) heading up Mulhacen (3479). At times the wind was strong and this is when John started to get his cough and cold. Usual photos at top of Mulhacen and then headed down the face to Caldera Refuge and the road towards Veleta. Just short of Veleta Johns cold was kicking in, just near Carthussie refuge. I headed up the last 200 mts on the road and screed slope.
Joined John at the pass and we headed down to Seco valley making it to the refuge 15 minutes before dark. (about 1500 mts 29.7 K)
Day 5
John had been coughing overnight but we headed off to do the Seite Lagunas. After about 7K he had to turn back. John had made it back and his cough was getting worse. I returned to near the old road to see him some of the way back. We agreed to text when he was safely back.
I went on to the Seite Lagunas and unto Alcazaba ridge (Culo de Perro). The first peak I reached I now know was Penon de Globo. It was all rocks and rock and large boulders. It was windy at the top. I then walked just over 1 K and up the rough ground to peak Alcazaba, again a pig at the last 50 mts. Nobody near me on these peaks and the ground was rough. I began to wonder how many times they were climbed as everyone did Mulhacen but not these peaks, they were deserted. It you fell and broke an ankle it could be sometime before rescue came. I was happy to be heading back and got John’s text that he was resting at the refuge. That evening the refuge was full, as it fell dark the head line of head torches came up the valley from Capileira. Dinner was late but great when it arrived. Johns cough was getting worse and we decided to leave the next day and get him a bottle from the chemist. Coughing all night may have endured the wrath of 80 people. A good decision as it turned out.
Day 6
Walked to Mirador, and sheltered from the cold wind in a group of rocks. Took the bus, with “PACO” the guide in full flow down to Capileira where the yellow submarine (with no brakes) was still parked. Went to Travelez to La Fragua II hotel. A great place to stay and fine local food. That evening we filled our boots as they say, Garlic soup the order of the day.
Day 8
On Monday John got his cough bottle and powders. Scouted out the path above the village for the next day went as far as Prados Grandes and back.
Day 9
Back on the mountains with full pack. Headed off as if going towards Seite Lagunas but did not turn off, again headed off to Prados Grandes passed Haza de la Choza where the path disappeared. We followed the Acequia de Calvacho up a difficult valley. Time was ticking on and tiredness was kicking in and this is when we headed up the wrong valley. It was my mistake although the GPS signal and reading was weak and slightly off as we were surrounded by mountains on three sides. We followed the Acequia Caldereta de Goteron up the valley. We camped on a slope near Tajos del Goteron below Alcazaba. Pasta and sauce replaced the energy levels back to normal. With darkness upon us the next eleven hours were spent listening to the wind and sliding up and down the tent. (Climb about 1100 meters and 17K distance)
Day 10
We made things hard for ourselves this day. Full pack up to Puntal de Goteron with its castle like peak. Decided against attempting to follow the ridge as the route was on clear and with full pack there was a risk of falling. For the time in this area we never saw any other walkers. Again not the place to get injured. We climbed down to the floor and then decided to peak valley Puntal de Vacares. So back up above 3000 meters with full pack. After this we found a great camp site in the valley and pitched for the night (about 2800 meters). The rest of the pasta was followed by bland dry food. Next time rice and pasta only, dried egg and union is not up to master chef standards. There was no wind that night and I think it went down to -2. The water dripped from inside the tent to wash our faces. A great sun rise the next morning.
Day 11
The guide at Poqueira refuge had said we could find a route from our peaks to Seite Lagunas by passing an anvil shaped rock and we had stored his estimated position in the GPS. Dropping down the valley to 2500 meters we headed up to Piedra de Yunque reaching 3000 meters on the route. Amazingly the guide’s position for the rock was accurate to within 200 meters, quite an achievement. We followed the 2700 contour and then up to 3000 before dropping into the Seite Lagunas. After a rest back down to Trevelez. A pint and then a shower before another great meal.
From Veleta to Los Machos, then Mulhacen then Alcazaba and beyond
Suggested alternative for covering ground
It is possible to get the bus from Granada to Veleta ski village and bus up to the peaks staying at the refuges on the way. Quite safe to leave gear in them and explore each area. You could then drop down into Poqueira for food and a rest at some point, this way a tent would not be required. Stop 1 Carihuela refuge then Caldera, Poqueira but then a tent needed to refuge Postero Alto away in the East. Then follow the river walk to Trevelez. This way you could cover a greater number of peaks. But a large volume of food needed. Plenty of water on the hills, you just need tablets or drops.
Last yeras Spain Log
first weather snowns from late Oct to March. Snow on some small areas in summer.
In winter it is cold down tp -27, three Uk walkers died in 2005 on Mulhacen over 3400 mts. Ski village near Grenada.
In summer get to 35 degrees .
There are mountain huts a couple staffed with food and bunks in groups from 6 to 20 a room. others are unstaffed
Google refugio nevada
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Topic: where to go this year for a challenge (Read 4068 times)