The Sierra Nevada mountains hold so much more opportunities for the mountaineer than that offered by the more popular peaks of Mulhacen and Veleta. A recent visit from a group of mountaineers from the Croydon Mountaineering Club explored the possibilities in the area encircling the Raspones de Rio Seco.
Gary Brown in the descent gully off the Raspones
Gary Brown and his friends from Croydon Mountaineering Club returned for the third visit to the Sierra Nevada last weekend. Previous visits have seen them climb the Corredor del Veleta and the north face of Mulhacen. This visit was supposed to have seen them polish off the impressive Espolon de Alcazaba on the NW side of the mountain but lack of time and access restrictions, due to landslides on the Verada del Estrella path, led to an exploratory look at the Raspones de Rio Seco.
Access to the Poqueira hut was via the “Alta Acequia” and was achieved in under 3 hours. The hut was full to the brim with hill goers enjoying a public holiday. Everybody except the Croydon group was intent on trekking up Mulhacen. They preferred the quieter delights further to the west.
Heading down to the Rio Seco they then climbed the Terreras Azules face opposite the hut. There are some nice lines here, all relatively easy, but enjoyable nevertheless. Then then followed the ridge crest towards the highlight of the day, the Raspones ridge. This ridge has been overlooked. It is alpine in looks and difficult to grade. I have not found any information as to the true nature of the climbing. But, it does look good! The group traversed and explored it’s lower reaches before the onset of a poor weather front and nightfall led to a descent down a gully to the east.
The final, harder ridge wasnt completed, but I’m sure the group will return to the Sierras next year and tag it onto the back of the Espolon de Alcazaba.
Whilst the other 80 odd people from the hut huddled round Mulhacen’s summit cone, the group had enjoyed the peace and quiet of the winter mountains. Straightforward, exploratory mountaineering over new terrain, leaving you with an urge to return and do something harder. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
Also see Chris Ritsons report of gully climbing on the east side of the Raspones at http://www.sierra-nevada-news.com/2009/03/trip-report-climbing-raspones-sierra-nevada/
All photos courtesy of group members……… Gary, Colin, Barry and Dave.
The Raspones ridge crest from the south
Traversing under the ridge crest
Down climbing an easy gully
Terreras Azules opposite the Poqueira hut
Gary, Colin and Barry from the Croydon MC
The southern Raspones ridge
Approaching the Poqueira hut
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