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Scrambling & Soaring with the Eagles in the Sierra de Huetor, Granada

March 4, 2015, 5:37 am
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Scrambling & Soaring with the Eagles in the Sierra de Huetor, Granada




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A birdwatching day searching for eagles & elusive Ring Ouzel, that turned into a superb mountain scrambling day in the mountains north of Granada, Andalucia

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It all began when Kiersten Rowland, our resident Spanish Highs expert twitcher, decided she wanted to tick off the Ring Ouzel. This bird seems to have a liking for hawthorn bushes and tough craggy hillsides. We thought we knew just the spot that might attract these elusive birds in an area of mountains north of Granada in the Sierra de Huetor.

N.B The ring ouzel (Turdus torquatus) is a European member of the thrush family Turdidae. It is the mountain equivalent of the closely related common blackbird, and breeds in gullies, rocky areas or scree slopes (Source Wikipedia).… Read the rest

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Climbing new routes for lost friends in the Sierra Nevada

April 2, 2015, 12:54 am
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Climbing new routes for lost friends in the Sierra Nevada

As I stood at the foot of the 300m unnamed gully on Cerro Buitre in the eastern Sierra Nevada I received a phone call detailing the tragic news. A close friend of mine had passed away in sudden and unexpected circumstances. Shocking and terrible news. Wiping away the tears of anger, frustration and sadness, I started up the steep initial snow slopes.

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The gully demanded concentration as the snow was not that good. Care had to be taken on each step. Climbing up through that stark, dramatic, but ultimately impressive and beautiful mountain scenery, I thought many times about my friend. Of how fragile a grip we all have on this earth and how quickly that life may be taken away.… Read the rest

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“Living on the Edge”– winter ascent of Tozal del Cartujo NW ridge, Sierra Nevada

May 4, 2015, 12:17 am
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“Living on the Edge” – winter ascent of Tozal del Cartujo NW ridge, Sierra Nevada

A report from Ian Tupman who made his first winter ascent of the NW ridge of the Tozal del Cartujo in Spain’s Sierra Nevada in late April 2015 with Spanish Highs guide, Felipe Nieto.

P1050497 Stitch

In October 2013 I joined up with Spanish Highs for a ‘dry’ traverse of the Arista del Cartujo (see earlier report). Having completed it, I wanted to go back and do it in winter conditions but the weather and other commitments conspired to delay my return until now.

I picked up Felipe in Lanjarón and we drove to Hoya de la Mora, arriving at 4.30 in the afternoon. The plan was to walk in to the base of the ridge, bivouac and get an early start in the morning.… Read the rest

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New Personalised Mountain Weather Forecasting

May 12, 2015, 1:38 am
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Yellowbrick - west face of Cerro Torre behind

A brand new personalised mountain weather forecasting service has been launched aimed at hill walkers, expeditions and mountain adventurers throughout the world.

Weather4Mountain is the brainchild of Steph Ball, a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society (FRMetS) and highly experienced weather forecaster with almost 30 years experience working for the UK Met Office.

Based in Gibraltar, her aim is to provide users with detailed bespoke and personalised mountain weather forecasts for mountain climbers, walkers and trekkers. They specialise in mountain forecasts across Europe but also assist further afield, as happened recently with Spanish Highs Expedition to the Patagonian Icecap.

So whether you run a mountain related business or are just a group of friends enjoying the mountains, they can provide a detailed 5 day mountain forecast for your exact location on the planet.… Read the rest

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Team members wanted for forthcoming Patagonian Icecap Expedition

May 19, 2015, 3:27 am
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Team members wanted for forthcoming Patagonian Icecap Expedition

Although I have visited the Patagonian Icefield many times over the past years my fascination with this awesome place never stops. Since our last trip in November 2014 I have been increasingly investigating the wild and rarely visited northern section of the Southern Patagonian Icecap, using an approach from Chile via Lago O’Higgins and the Glacier Chico to reach the Paso de Cuatro Glaciares.

No matter how hard I tried there are few internet sources out there, just a few scientific and glacier study references. It seems as if nobody goes that way for some strange (and possibly sensible) reason! Yet on Google Earth, the Glacier Chico seemed to provide a long, different and remote way to access the northern sections, rather than the ascent to Paso Marconi, which has become the norm.… Read the rest

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Walking from Trevélez to Refugio Horcajo, Sierra Nevada

May 29, 2015, 5:07 am
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Late afternoon clouds gather above Alcazaba

A linear walk in the Sierra Nevada alongside the Rio Trevélez to the junction with the Rio Juntillas and then a steep climb up to the delightful Refugio Horcajo set in a stunning location amid high peaks.

Although I had walked down the Rio Trevelez from the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada on numerous occasions, I had never visited the Refugio Horcajo, which sits on a little plateau next to a small river at approx 2220m.

We had a group doing the fantastic 3 day trek “3 day trek crossing the Northern Sierra Nevada” from the Vereda de Estrella (Güejar Sierra) over the 3000m peaks of Picon de Jerez, Puntal de los Cuartos, Atalaya and Pico Cuervo before descending to the Refugio Horcajo, and coming out to the village of Trevélez in the Alpujarras.… Read the rest

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Scrambling & Approach Boot Group Test & Review

June 26, 2015, 12:29 am
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Scrambling & Approach Boot Group Test & Review

We took a pair of Haglofs Roc Icon GTs, some Five Ten Guide Tennies and a couple of pairs of Scarpa Crux‘s and put them to the test. But which comes out as the best all round Scrambling and Approach boot in our review?

Scrambling and Approach Shoes

The ideal approach shoe should be tough, well protected and provide enough support and stiffness for easy climbing but still remain comfy enough for the approach and descents from the mountain.

The Testing Arena

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We chose the peak of the “Peñon de la Mata”, a magnificent piece of limestone, just north of Granada on a hot day at the end of May 2015. We frequently use it for our mountain scrambling adventures.… Read the rest

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Ascent of the Espolón de la Caldera, Sierra Nevada

July 18, 2015, 3:09 am
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Ascent of the Espolón de la Caldera, Sierra Nevada

Describes an ascent of the Espolón de la Caldera, an alpine type climb and scramble in Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountain range in July 2015 by Richard Hartley (Spanish Highs) and Andrew Phillips.

The Espolón de la Caldera is in fact the NW ridge of the Puntal de la Caldera, found just to the west of Mulhacén’s, Collado de Ciervo, in Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains. It gives a rough and sometimes loose scramble with many possibilities for making the ascent easier or tougher to suit. At it’s easiest it’s a Grade 2 scramble, and I guess about VD (4/4+) if the steps and pinnacles are taken direct. Difficult and dangerous to descend or escape due to the loose nature of many areas.… Read the rest

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Huemul Circuit with Icecap Extension in November 2015

August 12, 2015, 1:17 am
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Huemul Circuit with Icecap Extension in November 2015

In November 2015 we will back in Patagonia, trekking the Huemul Circuit with an extension onto the Patagonian Icecap to Cirque de las Altares. Some places remain for those interested in joining us.

The 2015 trip will be a 4/5 day trekking circuit with a 2/3 day extension onto the Patagonian Icecap to Cirque de las Altares. The trek will be relaxed, with plenty of opportunity for photographers, nature lovers or those with ageing limbs! A unique chance to visit one of the planets most incredible locations. I personally don’t have a problem with this as it gives me more time to focus on the landscape, nature, photography etc.

Cirque de las Altares, Patagonian Icecap

Cirque de las Altares, Patagonian Icecap

In 2016 the expedition to explore the remote Chico Glacier area of the Chilean Icecap is coming together.… Read the rest

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Ascent of the NW Espolón de Alcazaba, Sierra Nevada

September 17, 2015, 12:52 am
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Ascent of the NW Espolón de Alcazaba, Sierra Nevada

The steep NW face of Alcazaba in Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains has long been a target for us. The Espolón is the classic route. We decided to go and climb it!

Access to the Espolón

Access to the face is most easily made from the Collado de Ciervo, near the Laguna de la Cadera and west of Mulhacén summit. A zig zag path leads down into the northern corrie of Mulhacén where sits the delightful Laguna de la Mosca. Just a short distance north of the lake a faint track trends right and then gains a sloping shelf the crosses the face of Alcazaba. This is called the Grand Vasar de Alcazaba.

On the Grand Vasar de Alcazaba. The Collado de Ciervo to the far right

On the Grand Vasar de Alcazaba. The Collado de Ciervo to the far right

The next problem is to identify the start of the Espolón as steep rock and crags abound everywhere.… Read the rest

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Ascents, Lagunas & Sunrise in the Sierra Nevada

September 23, 2015, 4:08 am
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Ascents, Lagunas & Sunrise in the Sierra Nevada

We recently supported the 201 Field Hospital on a “Sierra Nevada Tres Miles Integral“. 7 days of high 3000m mountains, superb mountain lakes and stunning landscapes. Thanks to leader Captain Kate Hannaford for this report from their trip.

201 Field Hospital on Twitter

“On 05 September 2015 a team from 201 Field Hospital embarked on Exercise Northern Brighella. Adventurous Training (AT) is an integral part of Military Training and greatly valued at 201 Field Hospital. The definition of AT is ‘Challenging outdoor training for Service Personnel in specified adventurous activities that incorporates controlled exposure to risk, in order to develop: leadership, teamwork, physical fitness, moral and physical courage; as well as other personal attributes and skills that are vital to the delivery of Operational Capability’ www.army.mod.uk.… Read the rest

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Tips if you plan Self Guided trekking in the Sierra Nevada

November 4, 2015, 1:05 am
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Tips if you plan Self Guided trekking in the Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada in summer can provide high quality trekking for self guided groups. Here’s a few tips sent in by John Halstead who’s group attempted the “Tres Miles Integral” last summer. 

The Plan:

Our party of four (average age 60) planned to do the whole route from the Loma de los Cuartos travelleing SW. At the last minute we decided to reverse our route on advice from Richard as there was a car rally taking place in the area which closed the roads leading N out of Lanjaron. In reality we only got as far as the Laguna de Vacares on day 4 before turning East and heading for the Horcajo Forestry refuge, from where we walked down to Trevelez for the pick up on day 5.… Read the rest

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A Day Above The Clouds

December 13, 2015, 7:09 am
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A Day Above The Clouds

Thanks to guest writer, Ian Tupman for this report of his day walk in the Sierra Nevada peaks encircling the Rio Chico above Lanjarón, including Cerrillo Redondo and Tajos de los Machos.

The 5th to the 8th of December this year has been a puente, a Spanish holiday celebrating both the new constitution in 1978 and the immaculate conception, several years earlier. Puentes usually result in large numbers of people heading for the countryside and the mountains, especially when the weather is good. On these occasions I try to seek out the quieter, less travelled routes and so with light winds and sunshine forecast for the day, I decided on a high level walk around the Río Chico valley.

I hadn’t been above 2,000 metres since June of this year and so I was anticipating the effects of altitude and my lack of hill fitness.… Read the rest

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Patagonian Icecap November 2016 & Ascent of Cerro Mariano Moreno

January 28, 2016, 4:17 am
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Patagonian Icecap November 2016 & Ascent of Cerro Mariano Moreno

Details of our proposed expedition in November 2016 to the Patagonian Icecap to climb the remote peak of Cerro Mariano Moreno (3462m). It is the third highest peak in Patagonia and is rarely climbed. It is the highest summit in the Cordon Mariano Moreno massif, in the centre of the icecap and is accessible only by lengthy trekking over the many glaciers.

Cerro Mariano Moreno from Paso Marconi

Cerro Mariano Moreno from Paso Marconi

The first ascent was done by the remarkable Walter Bonatti and Carlo Mauri in February 1958. Starting from a camp below Cordon Adela they completed the ascent in a very tough 30 hours non stop!

Details

Dates – Expedition start 26th November (arrival El Chaltén a few days before)
Duration – allow 14 days, which gives some leeway for bad weather days en route
Numbers – minimum 5 clients, maximum 8 clients
Difficulty – 131km and 4200m ascent (via Rio Electrico and Paso Marconi)

Itinerary (days)

1.… Read the rest

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A Ridge Too Far – A Wild, Remote Trek in the Sierra Nevada

April 7, 2016, 1:07 am
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A Ridge Too Far – A Wild, Remote Trek in the Sierra Nevada

Many thanks to guest writer Ian Tupman for this report and photos from a visit to a relatively unknown but wild and remote area of the Sierra Nevada

In September 2013 I paid my first visit to the Refugio Horcajo with the purpose of firstly locating it, and secondly to check its condition for possible future use. It sits at 2,200m on a small plateau between two tributaries of the Río Trevélez. In October of the same year I did a circular walk taking in some of the far north-eastern peaks of the Sierra Nevada including Cerro de Trevélez. From there, my eye had been drawn south-west along the Loma de las Albardas and the extensive ridge beyond. The maps give little information on what the ridge is like and indeed there is no path shown for all but the most southerly section.… Read the rest

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Trust Your Compass

April 11, 2016, 12:38 am
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Trust Your Compass

“Successfully completing an exercise like this helps to build confidence and when you need to navigate in ‘anger’ you know that you CAN trust your compass” writes Ian Tupman 

Retirement brings advantages when it comes to getting into the mountains, one of which is being able to wait for good weather. The forecast the other day was for the possibility of a few isolated showers in the morning and for the cloud to break up during the afternoon. The plan therefore was a late start and a short, circular walk over Pico de las Alegas from where I hoped to get some atmospheric photos of the higher peaks as the cloud dissipated.

By 11.00 am however, cloud was already building as I drove along the forest track to my starting point.… Read the rest

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Summer Trekking and Scrambling Ideas in the high Sierra Nevada

April 21, 2016, 1:10 am
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Summer Trekking and Scrambling in the high Sierra Nevada

With the onset of June winter relents, snow melts and the high Sierra Nevada mountains cease to be the domain of winter mountaineers. Now trekkers and scramblers can escape the heat of the baking Granada plains and costas and head for the fresh cool air of the mountains!

This is a magic place for Trekking and Scrambling with lot’s of great mountains adventures for the experienced through to the beginner.

With 27+ 3000m tops the Sierra Nevada not only provides easy access to the major peaks of Mulhacén, (3482m, highest in mainland Spain), Veleta (3394m) and Alcazaba (3371m) but also allows you into the quiet and remote areas away from these major peaks. Superb for lovers of solitude!

Here are some ideas …..… Read the rest

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A Hard Nut To Crack

April 23, 2016, 12:44 am
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A Hard Nut To Crack

Tajo Almendrón in the Tejeda Natural Park is so named because of its distinctive almond shape. It forms part of a north-south ridge and is much visited, being on a popular walking route behind the town of Nerja. I walked this route in January 2015 and impressive as the Almendrón is, I was more intrigued by its little brother, Almendrillo. From the path I thought I could see a stone cairn on the summit and there appeared to be three possible routes of ascent: the first via the north ridge, the second via the much steeper east ridge and the third via the precarious-looking south ridge. Whichever route was taken, it would require a rope of at least two people and more than a little nerve.… Read the rest

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Lenneke and Sander (Mulhacen April 2016)

April 29, 2016, 11:54 pm
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Huemul Circuit with Icecap Extension in November 2015

August 12, 2015, 1:17 am
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Huemul Circuit with Icecap Extension in November 2015

In November 2015 we will back in Patagonia, trekking the Huemul Circuit with an extension onto the Patagonian Icecap to Cirque de las Altares. Some places remain for those interested in joining us.

The 2015 trip will be a 4/5 day trekking circuit with a 2/3 day extension onto the Patagonian Icecap to Cirque de las Altares. The trek will be relaxed, with plenty of opportunity for photographers, nature lovers or those with ageing limbs! A unique chance to visit one of the planets most incredible locations. I personally don’t have a problem with this as it gives me more time to focus on the landscape, nature, photography etc.

Cirque de las Altares, Patagonian Icecap

Cirque de las Altares, Patagonian Icecap

In 2016 the expedition to explore the remote Chico Glacier area of the Chilean Icecap is coming together.… Read the rest

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