Took this photo on our return today from our weeks Mallorca Walking and Scrambling trip. We were some 20,000ft high at the time on an Air Berlin flight when we passed over the main mass of the Sierra Nevada.
The aerial photo clearly shows the central highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada covering Veleta, Mulhacen, Alcazaba and Puntal de Vacares. Siete Lagunas can be seen in the left foreground. Very little snow remains but the ski centre remains confident that skiing will start at the end of November as usual.
Aerial Photo Sierra Nevada main peaks October 2009
With the lack of snow, is it still possible to make some nice F or PD tours in the area by climbing some nice rock ridges? My boyfriend and myself are coming to Sierra Nevada this week for a weeks climbing since the weather in Chamonix doesn’t allow for the plans we had. We just can’t find any proper guides or books on the area, and the online winter climbing guide is not really applicable without the snow, conditions might be fairly different. We are quite experienced alpinists who have followed some courses in summer alpinism and are looking for some joyful, not too difficult, alpine climbs for a relaxing though challenging holiday. Can you help us by letting us know where we can make nice tours or where we can find some proper documentation (perhaps in Granada)? Thanks a lot!
Hi Karin
Shame about the lack of snow so far. last year we were skiing and mountaineering from 11th October until end May! Luck of the draw I guess.
Try the following for some fun:
(a) Traverse of the Puntal de la Caldera from W to E
(b) The NW ridge of the Pico del Cartujo from the ski centre (1 day)
(c) The Espolon de Alcazaba (2 or 3 days) from the Genil valley and Verada de la Estrella
(d) Loma de Lanchar, Veta Grande and Cerro de los Machos from the Genil valley (ardous!)
Hope this helps.
By the way, theres not much information in english. Maybe this site and http://www.spanishhighs.co.uk. Otherwise if you speak some spanish you can find some ideas and information from http://www.nevasport.com/phorum/index.php?55
Thanks a lot for your information, we’ll fly to Alicante tomorrow and try to find some good maps or perhaps even a book about the area. I think we’ll be just fine then with your suggestions. I’ll let you know how it worked out, the weather is looking great so I’m already very excited to go!