Clive Fenn recently gave his son an incredible 18th birthday present by taking him along the Raspones ridge in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains. We described the Raspones as the best ridge scramble in Spain and have had much fun here in the past, including some incredible winter mountaineering adventures. It is alpine in nature at or about the 3000m level.
Bivouac area
The Raspones ridge and upper Rio Seco
Starting at Cebedilla, above Capileira in the Alpujarras, they ascended to the Refugio Poqueira. On past the hut they crossed the Rio Mulhacén and contoured across the broad ridge of Horcajo Feo and entering the upper valley of the Rio Seco. They ascended to a bivvy site in the upper valley at the remains of the old Felix Mendel refugio, now completely destroyed.
The Raspones ridge and upper Rio Seco
This is an idyllic spot, alongside the sparking waters of the Lagunas de Rio Seco, still clad in winter snows.
The Raspones ridge and upper Rio Seco
Next morning they ascended to the old road and climbed onto the upper pinnacles of the ridge. They descended the ridge at this point, taking the towers and gullies at will. Sometimes taking the harder option, sometimes the easiest. At times the ridge is inescapable. Two thirds of the way down the encountered the crux, a steep pinnacle. They decided to descend this via two abseils before bailing out towards El Pulpito as the day grew hot and the celebratory beers were waiting. It seemed a long way back down to Capileira!
The Raspones ridge and upper Rio Seco
What a nice way to spend your 18th birthday! We run 2 day guided summer ascents from June until end of October. Contact us if you want a guide. ]