The following mountain condition report was issued by the Junta de Andalucia in their Safety Campaign for the Sierra National Park mountains this winter. Information at February 2, 2012.
All areas
Variable states. Hard ice, neve, wind blown, powder. Some charged slopes. Even lower elevations will have some snow/ice.
Hoya de la Mora – Veleta
Mid-winter Refugio de Caballo
Access Road A-395 cleared.
Snow level: first snows at approx. 1000m.
Carihuela bivouac: in good conditions.
Poqueira
Snow level: 1500m, depending slope orientation.
Recommended access to Poqueira Refuge: Central Electric Cebadilla
Hoya del Portillo – You will meet snow 3km from Capileira
Refugio Caldera from Refugio Poqueira: Rio Mulhacén
Carihuela bivouac: in good conditions.
Caballo
Access: From Niguelas to Fuentefría in bad condition.
Snow level: approx. 1500m
Genil
Snow level: approx. 1000m. Snow and ice on Vereda de Estrella
Postero Alto – Alhorí
Snow level: approx. 1000m
Difficult access to the Postero Alto Refugio. 4WD and chains essential.
Ragua
GR-337 access road and Puerto de la Ragua (2000m.) without snow
Snow level: approx 1000m (North) and 1800m (South)
WARNING: – Essential for ice axe and crampons
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Be sure to check the weather forecast before starting any activity
- Do not undertake any activity unless you have the knowledge and the right equipment.
- Try to take the phone battery fully charged
- In adverse conditions dont continue your activity.
- Avoid going out alone, if you do the let people know route and expected time of return
PHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES
- Central Emergency: 112
- Sierra Nevada weather forecasts www.aemet.es www.meteoexploration.com eltiempo.es
- Refugio Poqueira: 958343349/958064111/659554224 www.refugiopoqueira.com
- Refugio Postero Height: 616506083/958066110 www.refugioposteroalto.es
- Dornajo Visitor Centre: 958340625
- Laujar Visitor Centre: 950513548
- Pampaneira Information: 958763127
- Capileira Information: 958763090/686414576