A hard days ski mountaineering on Tajos de los Machos

A hard days ski mountaineering on Tajos de los Machos

Ski mountaineering in Spain’s Sierra Nevada at times can be quite testing and committing. This route describes a long, tough day’s ascent of Tajos de los Machos that was made more difficult by the remote access and hard icy conditions.

Full Story »
Relaxed ski touring on the slopes of Cerrillo Redondo

Relaxed ski touring on the slopes of Cerrillo Redondo

Describes a marvellous day’s ski touring on the south side of the Sierra Nevada. Good weather, great snow conditions and best of all, no other people!

Full Story »
The unprecedented dangers in the Sierra Nevada mountains this winter

The unprecedented dangers in the Sierra Nevada mountains this winter

The tragic freak death of an experienced, much loved 58 year old mountain guide from Granada, has demonstrated the unprecedented perils of this winter season in Spain’s Sierra Nevada. Heavy rain and gale force winds have brought a series of blizzard conditions to the high mountains since mid-December. What are the dangers and how do we deal with them?

Sierra Nevada mountain and snow conditions 1st March 2010

Sierra Nevada mountain and snow conditions 1st March 2010

The mixed, unsettled weather has continued and brought further snow to the Sierra Nevada, however the avalanche dangers are reducing quickly due to the high temperatures in recent days, and large areas of ice occur above 2500m. More heavy snowfalls to come this coming week will make mountain excursions interesting to say the least!

Update on Sierra Nevada mountain conditions 9th Feb 2010

Update on Sierra Nevada mountain conditions 9th Feb 2010

The coming week will see mixed weather. High winds and some snow showers for the next few days followed by heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions for the weekend. Snow level is down to 1800m this morning, will lower tomorrow, before rising to 2000m by the weekend.

High temperatures, ice and windslab conditions

High temperatures, ice and windslab conditions

The long awaited settled spell of weather has arrived and with it unseasonally high temperatures. This has allowed rapid consolidation of the snowpack above 2000m. Large areas of ice exist especially on ridges. On north and east facing slopes windslab has been reported. Varying mountain conditions requiring extreme care.