Alcazaba a walk on the wilder side of the Sierra Nevada
The mighty Alcazaba, arguably the finest peak in Spain's Sierra Nevada makes a fine 2 day backpacking ascent.
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Featured Posts
- A Collection of My Favourite Mountaineering Quotes
- Trips to the wild and windswept Patagonian Icefield
- Swapping Life Stories with Kenton Cool
- Surviving Blizzards in Kamchatka
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- The Early Days in Andalucia
Latest Posts
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Endemic wild flowers living on the west face of MulhacenA compilation of the wild flowers that we encountered high up on the west flank of Mulhacen on a recent ascent
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Searching for the Lake With No NameA two day trip into the unknown to visit the "Lake with No Name", a magical and serene place. Returning having discovered both Lake Wallaby and Laguna de los Dos Dickys
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Underestimating difficulties on the BuitrerasDescribes a very tough and tiring but ultimately exciting and enjoyable romp around Las Buitreras del Durcal. Amazing, spectacular scenery and just 20 minutes drive from home.
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Traverse of Chullo from Puerta de la RaguaPHOTO ALBUM - Describes a traverse of Chullo in the eastern Sierra Nevada hills today from the Puerto de la Ragua
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The lost refuge of Piedra de los PajarosPHOTO ALBUM - A tough, mainly pathless ascent yesterday over Cuna (2292m) to the old cave/refuge at Piedra de los Pajaros (2550m).
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Fun, frolics and gymnastics in the eastern SierraDescribes an eventful and enjoyable Nomads day out exploring the eastern Sierra Nevada hills, situated west of the Puerta de la Ragua
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Even in August Nature and Beauty prevailWe decided to revisit the quiet and relatively unknown lake of Lagunillo Misterioso, an enchanting place. We would then drop down the streams to see possibly the highest waterfall in the Sierra Nevada, the Chorreras de Molinillo.
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What is it like scrambling "Las Campanitas" Ridge in Spain's Sierra Nevada?Las Campanitas is the ridge between Cerro los Machos and Veleta in the Sierra Nevada. It is a Grade 3 scramble that crosses the peaks of Zacatín, Campanario and Salón eventually reaching Veleta via a route known as "Fidel Fierro".
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Kiersten and I fancied escaping the heat and spending a few hours in the cool air at 3000m. Our target was the upper Guarnón valley below Veleta's northern face, an area of streams and green, lush grasses amid a sea of stones. The area was teeming with nature's sounds, sights and smells.
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It had been quite a number of years since I had last walked the ridge between Veleta and the Refugio Elorrietta. It's known as the Tajos de la Virgen ridge and is a rough but easy walk with some sections of very mild scrambling involved.
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Las Campanitas Ridge to VeletaThe ridge didn't let our expectations down. It is a magnificent scramble, probably Grade 3 in places. The highlight for me is the spiky pinnacle of Campario which soars like a needle up intto the sky. It is an impressive and intimidating sight.
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Yesterday in the heat of the afternoon we made our way uphill to a remote lake, rarely visited, that we had never been to before. Laguna de Peñón Negro.
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This was an interesting day. Interesting as it crossed some terrain I have never trodden before, threading the Raspones ridge.
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Wet and Windy in the San Juan ValleyA very unseasonal hiking day in Spain's Sierra Nevada which brought welcome relief from the heat of the lower villages
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Hard Going on the Tozal del Cartujo ridgeA tough return for me to high mountain scrambling on this mountaineering ascent of the north ridge of Tozal del Cartujo in Spain's Sierra Nevada
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Describes a walk up the quiet and relatively remote peak of Las Alegas above the Alpujarras in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains
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Walking into a surreal Martian LandcapeWe had an eventful, interesting and ultimately fulfilling day on the western slopes of the Cerro de Caballo a couple of days ago. The route is along the Acequia los Hechos and up to the remote and lonely, hidden lake of Laguna Puesta Cura.
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The great thing about living in the foothills of the mountains is that you can take last minute advantage of snow conditions.
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First tracks in the Barranco de San JuanFirst time at mid altitude for a while and my first venture this winter into the winter snows. We've had a poor winter so far so the recent heavy snowfalls have been most welcomed. Poor visibility meant we opted for the Barranco de San Juan valley as our snowshoeing route for the day.
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Prado Llano and Refugio PoqueiraOur route to the Refugio Poqueira started at the Hoya del Portillo and ascended through the pine forests to the viewpoint of Puerto Molina. Snow capped peaks surrounded us.
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Enjoying the First Snows of Winter - Cortijo Hornillo and Vereda de la EstrellaAs we ascended towards our goal at Cortijo Hornillo other mountains came into view, Mulhacen, Puntal de la Caldera and Veta Grande. The white mountains towered over us, ice glinting from their vertical slopes, as we reached the buildings at Cortijo Hornillo
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Trekking the Northern Flanks of the Sierra NevadaThe Veredon Inferior deserves to be known as the most spectacular path in the Sierra Nevada that nobody knows about! We now head down onto a vasar, a descending rake which rather cleverly circumvents the vertical cliffs above and below.
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Hiking at First Light in the Sierra NevadaThere's something special about striking campsite pre dawn and hiking in the first daylight hours, whilst the rest of the world is seemingly still in bed.
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Trekking the Upper Lanjaron ValleyTo the people of Lanjaron, their Shangri-La is the upper Lanjaron valley, it's lakes and it's rivers. It's the source of it's life giving waters. A special place that we were privileged to walk and spend the night in.
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The Vasar de Mulhacen, Sierra NevadaThe North Face of Mulhacen, Sierra Nevada. Its long been an ambition of mine to view the sunrise from Mulhacen's north face. This morning I got my wish and it didn't disappoint!
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It's a long time since I had a pre dawn start in the mountains and I had forgotten how wonderful an experience it was moving at first light.
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Cerro de los Machos, Sierra NevadaYesterday's trip into the dramatic Corral del Veleta. Still plenty of snow remaining. A steep climb up to the wonderful viewpoint of Cerro de los Machos.
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The Northern 3000m peaks of the Sierra NevadaAn amazing 2 day trek covering the northern 3000m peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Circular walk to camp at Lavaderos de la Reina and next day over the northern mountains
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Cerro de Caballo, Sierra NevadaYesterdays walk up Europe's most south westerly 3000m peak, the Cerro de Caballo. The old legs feel a bit tired today, my first time at altitude since the heart problems and definitely struggled getting enough oxygen circulating through the body. Must go even slower next time!
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Un mulo, dos arrieros, dos perros y tres montañerosWith the humble effort of a mule, 2 drovers and 4 mountaineers. If all who use the refuge care and respect it. Keep it, the lake and the environment clean. Take our garbage and leave the window and door locked when we leave. We will continue to have shelter for many years to come
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Night on a bare mountain in the Sierra NevadaSometimes it takes a great effort to leave the comfort of one's home and head for the cold, icy peaks. Some hardship though, is always rewarded by the mountains.
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