What could we show them in just 2.5 days in the Sierra Nevada though? We didn't want to show them the usual busy slopes of Mulhacén or Veleta. Wild and remote, with plenty of variety seemed to fit the bill. We decided and completed the following itinerary.
Day 1
Ascent from Puente Palo to the partly ruined and unguarded, Refugio Cebollar. A beautiful walk through pine forests, open hillsides to arrive at the refuge. This is perched on a grassy terrace at 2500m. A spring nearby gave us fresh water. Afternoon ascent of Las Alegas (2700m) for views over the main Sierra Nevada ridge. Overnight in the refuge.
Relaxing by the Rio Chico en route to the Refugio Cebollar
Day 2
Up early and traverse onto the col between Las Alegas and Tajos de los Machos. On with the crampons and ascend hard perfect neve to the headwall which steepens to make things interesting. Then we summited Tajos de los Machos (3085m). Superb vistas in all directions. The snow was softening by this time so we heel plunged down the slopes to the NW into the base of the Lanjarón valley.
By now the snow was soft and hard to walk through so we put on snowshoes for the walk out down the valley. After the dam it was a long walk out to Tello for 4WD pickup. This was not without it's moments, as there were some very steep slopes to traverse which required crampons once again.
Descending into the Rio Lanjaron with snowshoes
Day 3
With just a morning and part of the afternoon to spare we took them to Peñon de la Mata where we have developed a series of scrambles. Ascending from the NW and coming down the SE provided an entertaining end to their trip.
Scrambling high on the Peñon de la Mata
Trail Magazine
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