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!
With daytime highs in Lanjaron in the Alpujarras (600m) last weekend fluctuating between 17 and an spring like 26 deg C (Source: Lanjaron Weather Station), the freeze/thaw cycle in the mountains has been exacerbated. The deep powder snows of last week have been replaced above 2500m by large areas of very hard ice. Below 2500 the snow has been quickly stripped away unless in gullies, forests or leeward slopes.
The mountains do look magnificent, however. Above 2600m hardly a rock shows through. I don’t think I have ever seen the Sierras looking so white. See the recent photo below of Veleta and the Hoya de la Mora
Veleta and the Hoya de la Mora
Access
There are some roads and paths still blocked by landslides in the Alpujarras. The GR7 Busquistar to Trevelez is affected and the Poqueira Gorge access to the Poqueira hut. The track to the Ventura hut can only be accessed to the meteo station below the trailhead. Puerta de la Ragua is open as is the Hoya de la Mora.
Mountaineering
Snow depths are between 4 and 5m in places. Large cornices exist, especially on the Tajos de la Virgen ridge where they double up both sides of the ridge in places! Avalanche risks still remain. The blackspot below the Elorietta hut looks full and I suggest people leave this area well alone. Sadly, there have been accidents. A climber was injured yesterday in the Alhori icefall area (Jerez) above the Postero Alto after falling on ice.
Ski Touring
A bit difficult at the moment with all the ice around. Must have crampon and axe backup as I suspect most windward slopes will be sheet ice and it will be much safer to ascend using normal mountaineering gear, than skins and harcheissen. Having said that you will find runnels of powder that can be linked and used to give an agreeable descent.
Snowshoeing
This has deteriorated rapidly in the last few days. The deep powder found above Puente Palo, Capileira and the Puerta de la Ragua has been stripped away, leaving a walk up to the snowline above 2000m. Here you will find slush and mud until the harder stuff arrives at 2200m. Above this level you will find many icy patches and little easy snowshoeing. What a difference a week makes? Having said that, the snows will return later this week.
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