A 46 year old ski mountaineer was killed late February 2008 in the Sierra Nevada when he was caught in an avalanche and buried under 2m of snow. The accident happened on the western slopes near the Elorietta Hut.
The snow conditions off piste in the Sierra Nevada can be very dangerous between the months of December to May, inclusive. After heavy snowfall, unconsolidated powder frequently overlays an icy base layer. The high temperatures sometimes found in this part Spain, can make the snow pack very wet and heavy. Hence the high avalanche risk. Beware!
There are, of course, avalanches all over the Sierras, but there are 3 major black spots that people venturing into these hills need to be aware of. They are black spots because they cross normal walking or hiking trails that people use. They are:
(1) The track from the Elorietta hut to the ski center just west of the Tajos de la Virgen ridgeline. This paths crosses steep and dangerous avalanche terrain just after leaving the Elorietta hut heading NNW. The proximity to the ski center increases human traffic in this area. This is where the recent death in February 2008 occurred. For experienced mountaineers the ridge of the Tajos de la Virgen is safer or the whole can be avoided by an easy and safer snow ascent up the Cartujo via the bowl west of the Arista del Cartujo,
(2) The SW slopes of Mulhacen above the normal walking track up the Rio Mulhacen. In particular the old road above this area can be very dangerous. Give this a wide berth westwards on the approach to the west flank route up Mulhacen or the Col de Ciervo.
(3) The south side of Cerro de Los Machos where the old road cuts through a small pass. This area is normally heavily loaded with snow. This path is used as a quick and easy approach from the Cariguela to Mulhacen or the Poqueira/Caldera areas. If heading for the Poqueira hut a safer descent is via Loma Pua, Pico de Sabinar and cut through the Terreras Azules below the Pico del Pulpito.
Of course, normal good mountaineering and avalanche awareness practices must be observed on all routes in the high mountains, but the above “black spots” can and should always be avoided or by-passed.
More information about avalanche risks in the Sierra Nevada can be found on http://www.spanishhighs.co.uk/snais.html
