POST

Winter Mountaineering in the Barranco del Alhori

July 11, 2008

Access

The Refugio Postero Alto makes a very convenient start point and is ideally placed to access the first northerly 3000m+ peaks of the Sierra Nevada. It lies at the foot of the Picón de Jerez and is good for accessing the mountaineering in the Barranco del Alhori, northern Sierra Nevada and indeed the “Los Tres Miles” Integral.

By Car

Some 15km S of the busy city of Guadix lies the town of Jerez de Marquesado (1100m). Easiest approach is via the A-92 S of Guadix, leaving the motorway at KM303. Join the N-324 towards Guadix and after 3km turn L onto the GR-5104, signposted Jerez de Marquesado (30 mins).

Getting to the Refugio Postero Alto (1970m)

Located on a firebreak above Jérez del Marquesado on the main route to Picón de Jerez. Recently restored. Nice hut and good for approach to winter mountaineering at Barranco del Alhori. If the access road is closed due to snow then you must walk from the town of Jérez del Marquesado (2hrs)

The road is partly suitable for a saloon car but the closer one gets to the refugio the worse the road becomes. The drive is initially along tarmac road, then forest track and finally by rough track. In all but the optimum conditions a 4WD will be essential. Make sure you consult weather forecasts carefully or the refuge itself (see contact details below) so the car does not become trapped at the refuge.

Take the main road through Jerez de Marquesado towards Lanteira. Just after leaving the main town turn R on tarmac road signposted “Refugio Postero Alto”. At km1 just past the Centro Contraincendios buildings turn L on a wide forest road. At km12 leave the forest road (signposted Refugio Postero Alto, cars may be left here) and turn R rising steeper on a deteriorating track. At km14 the refuge is reached and cars may be parked and left here. (45 mins).

Recentny a useful service has started offering transfers from Jérez del Marquesado to the refuge in 4WD vehicles. Phone numbers are to be found on the refuge website (see “_traslados en 4×4_“)

On Foot

If conditions dictate walking to the refuge, 400m further on from the start of the driveable route (above) a road veers off to the R. After 100m branch L on a dirt track which materilises into a path after 1km. The well signposted track crosses a river and rises steadily just left of the ridge line to the refuge (850m, 3hrs).

Refugio Postero Alto

Telephone: +34 616 50 60 83 or +34 958 06 61 10 Website: www.refugioposteroalto.es Email: [email protected]

Guarded refuge open at weekends and fiesta holidays (ie Easter, Christmas, New Year). Otherwise there is a winter quarters always open and available. Located at 1900m altitude under the Picon de Jerez (3,088 m). Has beds for 65 persons in 7 dormitories. Canteen, bar, hot water, blankets, heating in all rooms. Free WIFI connection.

It is affiliated to the Federación Andaluza de Montañismo which has reciprocal rights with the major European alpine clubs. Essential to reserve in advance, which can be done online.

Mountaineering Routes in the Barranco del Alhorí

Time Approach 2.5 hrs
Start Refugio Postero Alto

The cliffs in the Barranco del Alhorí have become a popular destination for winter mountaineering in the past few years. On a cold, windy day with the mist clagged in one could be forgiven for thinking you were in Glencoe rather than 3 hours from the beaches of Marbella!

There are two approaches:

From the refuge follow the firebreak SW until the forest edge. Take a path on the R which countours into the river valley of the Rio Alhorí. Pass L of the first rock band before crossing over to the R.
This approach avoids the lower river and icefalls to traverse into the Barranco from the L. From the forest break directly ascend the Loma del Enmedio. At 2300m traverse R aiming for the Puerta del Alhorí (2402m) a prominent point above the initial cliffs guarding the barranco. Go L of this and traverse into the main bed of the barranco.

Quickest descent is SE contouring round the head of the cliffs before dropping down NE on easy slopes to Loma de Enmedio to the refuge.

Corredor del Alhorí (left) –

Go up steepening ground left of the main butress in 3 pitches. In lean condition the middle pitches may be hard ice or even rock. Escape left at the top.

Corredor del Alhorí (right)

A classic but straightforward snow and ice gully set in impressive scenery. The Canuto Alhorí is the gully rising to the R of the main cliff face and passes through an obvious break in the crags. The steepest section is at half height where the gully narrows. Before long you emerge onto the upper slopes of the Piedra de los Ladrones.