Searching for eagles & the elusive Ring Ouzel we ended up with great scrambling adventures in the Sierra de Huetor mountains
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.
The north side of the Sierra Nevada peaks from 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).
An hour later we were heading uphill on a rough goat track that climbed steeper and steeper up the rocky mountainside. We heard the Ring Ouzels, but only caught fleeting glimpses, certainly not enough for a decent photo. Our route arrived at the base of a steep ridge and as we had suitable equipment (rope, harness, helmet, slings) we decided to "give it a go".
Some cautious optimism!
There is nothing quite like "moving together" alpine style on a rope for concentrating the mind. Gone are the mind invasive thoughts of everyday hectic life. These are replaced by a calm concentration, a constant assessment of risk and the companionship of your friends, all relying on each other for security and progress.
The ridge was excellent high grade scrambling, easy rock climbing and gave a superb way to reach the mountain summit from where we had extensive views south to the main ridges of the Sierra Nevada. Mulhacen, Veleta and Alcazaba in particular looking good, with their icy white snows shimmering in the bright sunlight.
A small gap on the ridge with large drops either side
As we sat on the summit a Griffon Vulture flew past, presumable checking to see if we were still alive.
We never did get to see and photograph the Ring Ouzel but this fly past by a Golden Eagle seemed to be more than a decent substitute. Thanks Kiersten Rowland for the photo below.
A majestic young Golden Eagle soaring in front of Veleta and the ski slopes
Beer o'clock time!