Mount Teide, Tenerife

[phil_b]

Anyone any experience of climbing this? We are heading out for 10 days in the new year and i am planning on taking a day to myself to do this. At 3717 meters it is the highest mountain in Spain but the ascent form the carpark is only 1418 meters. The altitude seems to have a big effect on lots of people and there is a large chance of snow on it in January and February even though it is around 25 degrees on the coast.
Any thoughts or tips welcome.

Phil

[whoRya]

Do it, I certainly would given half a chance.  I've read a wee bit about it.  The recommended thing seems to be heading off early enough to reach the summit for sunrise.  That may be a summertime thing though. 

[phil_b]

sunrise when i am there is around 8am. It is a 1 hour drive and a 5 hour walk though so i dont think i am going to make it!
Snow can sometimes close the roads up to it never mind the path to the summit, other than that i aim to make the summit.

[phil_b]

No one any experience of this then? The whole area is closed at the minute due to snow and ice and the cable car etc is all shut down. I am hoping it has cleared a bit by the time I am there in a few weeks. I have my summit pass printed and am ready to go. I need to decide what kit to bring with me, luggage is limited so I need to bring as little walking kit as possible remembering that it will be 25 degrees plus at the coast but as low as -5 at the summit. Need to Ieu another couple of climbs of donard squeezed in before then too as training.

[whoRya]

You must be off soon?  Is the weather looking any more favourable?

[phil_b]

Landed in Tenerife yesterday. Could see the summit above the cloud as we were coming in on the plane with just a wee bit of snow on it. I have my summit pass booked for between 11 am and 1 pm on Friday. They appear very strict about these things, only 50 people are allowed up past the ranger station at the cable car point in every 2 hour period and I need passport id with me. It's supposed to be a 5 hour walk up from the car park so I hope to be walking by 6.30 by head torch.

[RedLeader]

Sounds brilliant Phil, looking forward to seeing the photos.

[phil_b]

My view this morning  


IMAG0001 by philip blair2011, on Flickr

[RedLeader]

[Ed]

I had considered doing this on my honeymoon, but we wound up in benemadena instead so I had to settle for pico mijas

[t18con]

we went to Tenerife on a cheapie a few years ago, and used public transport for getting about. its surprising how much walking goes on, there were loads of people getting on/off the bus with their walking poles and gear. Made us feel we should have been sampling that end of things too. imagine the locals (I mean ex-pats) would know where to/not to walk etc though.

[phil_b]

Removed

[specimanYak]

Splendid photos phil, that's an amazing achievement, i was reading this on Wiki about Mount Teide:

'Its 3,718-metre (12,198 ft) summit is the highest point in Spain and the highest point above sea level in the islands of the Atlantic. At 7,500 m (24,600 ft) from its base on the ocean floor, it is the third highest volcano in the world, after Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in Hawaii.[2] Its elevation makes Tenerife the tenth highest island in the world.'

Karma added.