Another accident in the Sierras in a fall from los Machos on steep snow

Although we are in mid-June, the Sierra Nevada, as previously reported, has lots of snow and many objective dangers remaining from the last winter. Yet another accident occurred yesterday in the Cerro de los Machos area. The utmost care is required as the accident occurred in a zone of steep, consolidated and possibly icy snow.

Steep snow slopes in the Sierra Nevada

A group of 17 people from Ciudad Real and equipped with crampons, were en route to the Refugio Poqueira. Intended route was Veleta, col de Cariguela, Los Machos, Caldera and Mulhacen. Then down to the refuge via the Rio Mulhacen.

There was an accident when one of the group (Victoriano Corral, 46 years of age)  lost control and slid down a slope of about 20m, in the vicinity of Los Machos. The incident occurred on the morning of Saturday 12th June at 12’15. The group leader alerted the rescue services and they in turn arrived at the scene and evacuated the injured man to Pradollano.

Six people from the group returned to the ski resort and the 10 others continued on to the refuge, to return to Capileira as bad weather is expected.

The condition of the wounded man did not appear to be serious (just fracture or injury to both ankles!).

Related posts:

1. Accident confirms need to practice your mountaineering skills each winter
2. Snow and Mountain Conditions 7th Nov 2008
3. Ski Touring routes on Tajos de los Machos
4. Tajos de los Machos and upper Rio Chico area
5. E and SE slopes Tajos de los Machos