Options – Tajos de la Virgen Ridge to Elorietta refugio

These photos were taken mid-June after a poor (relative) winter’s snowfall! The temperatures in Granada were above 30 deg C at the time.

There are three options when travelling between the Cariguela and Elorietta huts in Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains:

(1) The ridge of Tajos de la Virgen. Mild scrambling (grade 1) in summer and in winter conditions we have found it to be anything between Scottish grade 1 and 3 (Alpine PD approx), depending on snow and ice conditions. At times the ridge has been very hard going in deep powder with double cornices lining the ridge, exciting stuff. Other times it has been a fantastic winter walk.

There are 2 crux’s in summer and winter. These are marked YELLOW on the photos. Travelling from the Cariguela the first is obvious when a wall confronts you. This is bypassed on the right over an area of exposed sloping slabs, before regaining the main ridgeline. After passing the isolated pinnacle of the Fraile (monk) the second obstacle is met where a rising ramp from bottom left to top right found. Easy in summer but variations may have to be found in a hard winter.

(2) From the Cariguela drop down to the Lagunillas via the Olimpica ski run (marked). Traverse round to the left and pick up a track that rises across the slope to the Elorietta hut. This is a simple option in summer but dangerous in winter as the slopes regularly avalanche after fresh snow and there have been accidents here. If in doubt use option 3 below. The RED line on the photos shows the traverse path and the BLUE crosses indicate avalanche terrain.  This is steeper than the photo suggest and the path crosses above steepening covex slopes. Use of axe and/or crampons advised if snow covered.

(3) Drop down further and contour round into the bowl NW of the Pico del Cartujo. Easy moderate slopes with no avalanche danger follow up to the W ridge of the Cartujo wich then can be easily followed to the top. A short ridge with an exposed step lead to easier ground and the Elorietta. Much longer but a safer in winter.