The important mountain hut in the Sierra Nevada, The Refugio Poqueira, now has it’s own website that gives useful information on access, prices, how to book etc. You can find the new website at http://refugiopoqueira.com/
The Poqueira Refuge was opened in March 1997 and is located at an altitude of 2,500 meters on the southern slopes of Sierra Nevada.
The Poqueira hut
Apart from information about booking and reserving, prices and general information the hut provides a weekly update on access and mountain conditions. Very useful information!
The Poqueira hut is also installing 2 webcams that will become very important in seeing likely mountain conditions. A massive improvement to the area.
Here is the latest report on 8th December 2011
Today, Thursday December 8, 2011, from the Refugio Poqueira, we send a weekly report on the status of paths, environment and upcoming summits area.
Accesses the Power Station and the Acequia Alta Cebadilla (for Capileira) are clear of snow and tread only the last minutes before the hut, and in some other shade.
Access the Hoya del Portillo is only recommended by skis: Puerto Molina and from there we will approach across the crest to the Alto del Chorrillo, turn 90 degrees towards the Veleta and then drop to the Refuge, (attention windy days on this route).
On the River Mulhacén you will find snow from the 2700-2800m, great for crampons in the morning but in the afternoon with the heat you will sink 10-15cm. The mountain area is fine for walking with crampons and ice ax, as well as access by Veleta via the Paso Carihuela, although the track has a clean edge snow mostly to the Caldera, remain essential crampons and ice axes, they have to go through high risk areas.
The bivouacs of the Caldera and Villavientos are in good condition and clean.