Climbing Cerro Torre in books & videos
I have been fortunate enough in my life to visit Patagonia 6 times and gaze with wonder and awe at the peak of Cerro Torre. Quite simply, one of the best looking mountains in the world and proof that mountains don't have to be judged in terms of height, as Cerro Torre stands a mere 3128m above sea level.
Winter Mountaineering Courses in Spain's Sierra Nevada
Learn basic use of ice axe and crampons, simple winter belaying and alpine skills to give you the necessary confidence to go off and enjoy the winters mountains.
Video of the Espolón de Alcazaba, Sierra Nevada
A great scrambling route for the experienced mountaineer.
Sierra Nevada High Peaks Infographic
Sierra Nevada infographic on the high peaks which includes the top ten ascents by height.
Descent from Cerro de Caballo May 2014
More info about the ski touring potential here at http://spanishhighs.com/ski-touring-sierra-nevada.html
No dramas just a day ski touring in the Sierra Nevada
Let's face it, most of us are not daredevil skiers. We don't really want to be hurtling down some ridiculously steep slope chased by an avalanche! Yes we want to be tested, be prefer the wide open, quiet and remote mountains where the only noise is the sound of skins gliding across the snows as we ascend to our peak. We access the conditions for the way down and try to judge when best to time the descent. When it comes, the descent is without drama, just the exhilarating movement of skis across snow. This is my kind of backcountry ski touring!
Climbing the Canuto Norte del Veleta, Sierra Nevada
Grade - Winter – AD (50º) (AD- in good conditions with footsteps to follow!)
Snowshoeing along the Sulayr GR240 Long Distance Path
With the first major snows of the year falling over Christmas it gave Ian Tupman chance to get his snowshoes out of the cupboard and enjoy the delights of a section of the GR240 Sulayr long distance path above Capileira.
Origins of the Refugio Caballo Restoration Project
In August 2011 Refugio Caballo at 3000m in the Sierra Nevada. The aim was to clean the refuge and repair the door and window
An ascent of Tozal del Cartujo via the north-west ridge
Back in May 2012 I walked the ridge from Cerro del Caballo to Tozal del Cartujo, crossed over to the Refugio Elorrieta for the night and then returned to the Ventura trailhead the next day via the Río Lanjarón valley. I had stood on the Tozal del Cartujo admiring its impressive ridge stretching away to the north-west. A few months later, I read an account by a group of Spanish mountaineers of their traverse of the ridge and I knew it just had to be done.
Skiing off the highest mountain in southern Spain in June!
Well, we have had a superb snow year in the Sierra Nevada and at the beginning of June the snow on some faces still lay deep and consolidated. To be honest I had hung up my skis for the summer, but a chance encounter with a photo from a blog post by Ian Tupman showed the east face of Mulhacen to be laden with the white stuff. The plan began to form.
Sunset and sunrise from the roof of Spain
An overnight camp on the summit of Spain's highest mountain, Mulhacén (3482m), in which the most spectacular sunset and sunrise were observed.
A land far away with fire breathing mountains to be skied
In April 2013, Richard Hartley and Kiersten Rowland of Spanish Highs Mountain Guides are to join a team led by British snowboarder/mountaineer Julia Pickering attempting to become the first people to climb and snowboard down the largest active volcano in the Northern Hemisphere, Kamchatka in far eastern Russia. The team's main sponsor is outdoor clothing and equipment manufacturer, Berghaus.
Skijoring in Spain, backcountry skiing with excitable husky!
Nothing beats ski touring up and down a mountain (skijoring) with man's best friend, in my case our husky, named "Khumbu"! Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains offer many opportunities for backcountry skiing with or without our four legged friends.
First skiers ever to ski this Sierra Nevada valley?
Snow affected access tracks meant we only had a thin ribbon of snow in the gully to ascend and descend the mountain but it turned out to be a superb ski tour in wild and quiet surroundings in a little known area of the Sierra Nevada. Not sure it has ever been skied before either?
Combining ski touring & mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada
It sounded good on paper. Approach using skis, climb some simple gullies and then ski out again. But a blocked road meant a longer ski in. Combined with the additional weight for mountaineering kit gave a very long hard day in the Sierra Nevada.
Wading through thigh deep powder snow in the Sierra Nevada
All our snowshoes were out with another group having, as it turned out, a fantastic snowshoeing day. We didn't think we needed them. The overnight snow changed all that. For our 2 day winter alpine skills mountaineering course we were left with having to cope with the mental effort required to wade through knee and at times thigh deep snow.
Best vantage point to view the North Faces, Sierra Nevada
From Granada, head east on good roads and pass by the town of Pinos Genil and on through the town of Guejar Sierra. On the eastern outskirts of Guejar Sierra take a left turn signposted "Camping Cortijo Balderas". This road is concreted but narrow. After 2km take a rough road right (marked with a No Entry sign!). Take this and drop down to a crossing of the Rio Maitena. Follow this concreted road as it winds upwards.
A night under the stars with my husky friend, Khumbu
We camped in the upper Lanjaron valley by streams and under a spectacular night sky. This was to be his first overnight trip. My lightweight summer backpack felt strangely heavy, weighed down by the additional items such as dog food, extra water and a various assortment of chains, leads, slings and karabiners, in a vain attempt to control a huskies instincts for freedom.
Sunrise from the highest mountain in Spain
A one am start from Lanjaron, an hours drive to the trailhead, followed by 5 hours trudge uphill through the night might not seem the best way to climb a mountain. But when we approached the summit and the sun broke through the horizon, all the hard effort and discomfort seemed well worthwhile. We were at the highest point in mainland Spain, Mulhacen, 3482m.
Scrambling the magnificent Cavall Bernat ridge, Mallorca
Report of scrambling and climbing along the wonderful Cavall Bernat ridge in Mallorca, probably the best high class ridge scramble in the med! The heat of the day necessitated a pre dawn start from Cala San Vicente. We made our way up to the first peak heading north west from the Siller Pass. The cloud cover and light showers began to disperse and the rising sun gave the sky marvellous warm tinges.
A walk along the GR7 long distance path in the Alpujarras
Villages on the GR7 long distance path through the Alpujarras are conveniently placed about 2 hours apart. These provide welcome rest halts or overnight stops as one passes through the area. Our personal favourite is back from Capileira via Bubion, Pampaneira, Soportujar and Cañar to Lanjaron. Takes a leisurely 6-7 hours, passes through spectacular scenery and white villages and is mostly downhill!
Relaxed ski touring on Cerrillo Redondo, Sierra Nevada
We set off from the recreation centre at Puente Palo in the Alpujarras. I was disappointed to find that the high temperatures of the previous week had affected the snow pack and we had to walk up through the forest track carrying the skis and boots. Not quite what I had in mind. After 45 minutes however, the snow on the track began to thicken and it wasn't long before we donned our boots, skins and skis. We skinned up though the remaining forest before emerging into a beautiful white landscape.