Temperatures – nothing too different on the maximums and minimums, but interesting to note that 2011 was far more extreme overall than in  2010. The number of times the temperatures exceeded 30 or were less than 10 were much more than in 2010.

Rainfall much higher in 2010, but that was an exceptional year.

View all the Alpujarras climate data since 2006

Temperatures

• Max High 36.3 (2010 38.2)
• Min Low 0.3 (2010 0.0)
• Average temp 15.8 (2010 16.0)
• Average max 27.6 (2010 26.7)
• Average min 7.1 (2010 7.1)
• Max temperature over 30 degrees on – 48 days (2010 – 26 days)
• Min temperature under 10 degrees on – 154 days (2010 – 114 days)

Rainfall

• Total precipitation 442mm (2010 720mm)
• Days when precipitation over 2.5mm – 37 days (2010 – 42 days)

Wind

• Maximum gust 61 km/hr (2010 61 km/hr)
• Average maximum gust throughout the year 22.6 km/hr (2010 – 26.3 km/hr)
• Average speed 2.4 km/hr (2010 3.2 km/hr)
• Average wind direction – 265

Click to load Climate Data 2011 in larger window

1. You can make a difference to your world no matter how small it seems!

Mule, Muleteers and Mountaineers

One day in August a small team of like minded enthusiasts (a mule, 2 Muleteers and 3 Mountaineers) took tools and materials up to 3000m. They did some voluntary work, cleaning, painting and restoring an old mountain hut in the Sierra Nevada. They did it because it needed doing. Nothing more. Little did we realise at the time that from this small seed how things would grow and develop.

Now Accion Sierra Nevada has been born. It has had much support from the mountaineering community and the national park. Funds are becoming available to continue the restoration work on other mountain refuges.

Sometimes the red tape has to be cut through and by-passed. In this case the Sierra Nevada will be the winner! A few like minded individuals acting together can make a difference.

2. If at first you don’t suceed try and try again. No pain, no gain!

First view on attaining the Icecap

The Patagonian Icecap is a tough place. Our second visit here in 2010 was a difficult experience. We got our asses kicked big time! As I lay exhausted with the wind violently lashing the sides of the tent walls, I remember thinking this would be my last visit to this wild but savage land. No more.

But ….. 12 months later I was back!

This time Patagonia relented. Evidently there are only two short spells a year when there is no wind on the Icecap. We hit one of these. No wind and bright sunshine. This enabled some of the most superb views I have ever seen in my life. Cerro Torre, Fitzroy, Gorra Blanca, the Cordon Adela and Cerro Morena. Wonderful.

3. The biggest thrill in mountain guiding is seeing people enjoy it!

Pepe on Tajos de la Virgen ridge

This year I have been particularly fortunate in having some good spanish friends join our mountaineering community and activities. For a mountain guide on his day off, it would seem like a “busman’s holiday” to go up into the mountains. For me, that hasn’t been the case.

For people who are not used to the mountains, but have only been told about them from parents and grandparents, visiting the high Sierras is like travelling to a mystical “shangri-la”.

I have received so much satisfaction from seeing the astonished faces of people who have suddenly realised that another, predominantly vertically based, world exists. Money can’t buy that!

4. I’m not as young as I used to be!

Exhausted on Paso Marconi, Patagonia

I am now 56 and have been walking and mountaineering since I was 15. This year has been life changing as I have suddenly realised that my legs don’t go as far or as fast as they used to. Sure, this is natural, but for a mountain guide it is initially difficult to come to terms with.

Do I continue to go on as I have done and over the years, becoming slower and slower, until eventually I start to become a liability to other group members?

No. Some thought must be given to a gradual retraction from the harder stuff and an acceptance of the limitations of advancing age.

I will always want to be in the mountains. They have been my life, my love. This will not change, but from now on I may just pick and choose what trips I go on.

Original information in Spanish provided by Mammut Sierra Nevada

All areas

Ice approaching Veleta

Ice, snow, ice, snow and snow crust vented.
Thin snow in lower elevations.
Hoya de la Mora – Veleta
Access Road A-395 cleared.
Snow level: approx. 2300-2600m.
Ice from the Hoya de la Mora
Carihuela bivouac: in good conditions.

Poqueira

Snow level: 2300-2800m, depending slope orientation.
Recommended access to Poqueira Refuge: Central Electric Cebadilla or route of the acequias Access recommended Refugio Caldera from Refugio Poqueira: Rio Mulhacén.
Carihuela bivouac: in good conditions.

Caballo

Access: From Niguelas to Fuentefría in good condition, since there is no ice.
Snow level: approx. 2300-2800m

Genil

Two trees down on the Verada de Estrellas and several landslides on some points of the track and also access to the Cortijo del Hornillo.
Snow from the Majada del Palo and in the Valdecasillas accumulated in some areas.
Snow level: approx. 2300-2600m

Postero Alto – Alhorí

Snow level: approx. 2300-2600m
Snow-free access to the Postero Alto Refugio

Ragua

GR-337 access road and Puerto de la Ragua (2000m.) without snow
Snow level: approx 2300 to 2600m

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

Our Particular Requirements

Our previous experience on the Icecap in 2010 had been marked by high winds and bad weather. We got caught out and had a rough time getting off the glaciers. This year we wanted to try out one of the new 2 way messaging and tracking systems appearing on the market to aid communications and especially weather forecasting. Our requirements were:
(1) To obtain daily weather forecasts for the Icecap sent from our base in Spain
(2) To report our position to our website at least twice daily
(3) To be able to send emergency messages in case of problems or in rescue or evacuation situations

If the above were possible then we wouldn’t have any need for a dedicated satellite phone.

Why Yellowbrick?

Yellowbrick 3

Quite simply, they were the first to offer us a tracker in time for our Patagonian Expedition starting on 19th November 2011. The Delorme InReach wasn’t available (after months of delay!), the Spot Connect/Messengers aren’t 2 way text messaging systems (they also use the Globalstar network, ineffective in Patagonia), and we needed something quick.

We found the staff at Yellowbrick most helpful, honest and accommodating. The Yellowbrick was still in development, but they said it would fulfill our requirements (see above). The tracker promptly arrived in Spain and we quickly managed to activate the unit, a simple process.

The Yellowbrick 3

Yellowbrick - west face of Cerro Torre behind

What struck me about the Yellowbrick 3 was it’s rugged solidity. It seems bombproof, useful in an expedition or mountaineering environment. It is enclosed in a tough weatherproof exterior casing and feels heavier than it’s mere 305 gram weight suggests. It came with a soft pouch to protect the Yellowbrick 3, with velcro straps and restraining bungee cord. This attaches to almost anything you wish. In Patagonia we had it attached to a frontal rucksack strap, within easy reach.

The Yellowbrick can survive underwater for 30 mins in 1m of water and has been tested in yacht races throughout the globe, so it’s use in a snow/mountain environment should be assured.

It has 4 basic  buttons (Up, Down, Left, Right) and an “Alert” button suitable hidden and protected. Unlike the earlier Spot Messengers one can’t accidentally send an alert signal. There is a USB socket at the back for recharging that is also protected from weather and damage. All in all what I do like about the unit is it’s simplicity. What I don’t want to be doing in a blizzard is fiddling around with small knobs, buttons and Querty keyboards etc!

Testing

Receiving weather at La Playita

Our fellow guide, Jane Fields based in Spain, acted on our behalf of our Alerts and Message handling. She became our base communications person. She would receive the Alert or Emergency messages should we be unfortunate enough to need assistance. She had the Telephone numbers of the rescue services in El Chalten, Argentina. She would also provide the team with twice daily weather forecasts via the Yellowbrick.

You can send messages to the Yellowbrick via the dedicated website host or via an email address. Any message sent from the Yellowbrick can be automatically forwarded to whatever email you wish.

When we arrived in El Chalten, Argentina, we tested the tracker to see if it could locate us. This is an easy operation performed by pressing the “up” button for 7 seconds. A green light on the front of the unit tells you that the unit is acquiring satellites and sending a position fix. It took a couple of minutes for the green light to stop flashing. This means that the signal has been sent. We checked over our hotel’s WiFi and lo and behold we appeared on our Expedition Webpage in El Chalten. Amazing stuff. We were ready to go!

It’s use on the Expedition

Moving down the Icecap

When we arrived at our first nights stop at the Refugio at Piedra del Fraile I sent a manual position fix. I had to move away from the tree covered ground and into an open space to do this. When you send a manual position the tracker will automatically bring in any text messages into your inbox. It was a great relief to receive an updated weather report from our base.

Wherever we camped we always managed to get 2 daily weather reports from our Spanish base. We developed a short code system (see examples below) as there is a maximum of 240 characters to a text message.

1840 Tues Update- WED-RAIN7,WIND55. THURS-RAIN34,WIND63.FRI-R17,WIND73. SAT-RAIN8,WIND60. SUN-RAIN5,WIND48. The weather system is moving through quicker than expected leaving you a break between systems at the weekend. Fingers crossed eh?!

Update 1830 – FRI-0900:R0,W7 THEN 1200: R,0,W13 THEN 1500: R0.2,W11. SAT-0900:R0.3,W6 THEN 1200:R1,W8 THEN 1500: R0.1,W11. Got you at Circo de los Altares plus hits down the icecap. Weather OK for next two days…slight risk of rain. Low wind.

The team near Paso Marconi

What was important to us was precipitation (R) and wind speed (W). The precise nature of the messaging allowed us to take full advantage of a forthcoming break in the weather. We got into position and when the weather window arrived we took full advantage. Thus we had low winds and beautiful blue skies on our trip down the icecap.

Occasionally our base would ask for a confirmation of something. This we did using the preset messages included in the tracker. Very basic 1 or 2 word messages but they achieved their purpose (ie  Yes, All fine, Every working ok?, No problem).

On poor days I even managed to send a signal by sticking the antenna of the tracker out of the hole in the tent roof, thus saving me getting a soaking!

We sent 19 messages from the tracker and received 56 during our expedition over a total of 10 days. We manually reported our position approx 3 times daily until we left the Paso Marconi on day 5. From then on we set the tracker to automatically report position every hour we were moving. In all cases we had no problems sending or receiving. Average waiting time for a message to be sent or received was under 2 minutes.

From subsequent examination of the tracking on the expedition map the tracker is very accurate and at most only 10m out.

Battery Life

Reading messages in the tent

Before we set off for our 10 day expedition in the wilds of the Southern Patagonian Icecap I made sure that the battery recharge level was topped up. I was a bit worried about this as I had decided, due to weight restrictions, not to take my Power Monkey recharger. For the first 5 days of the trip I operated the unit only 3 or 4 times a day, collecting messages and sending position reports.

But, I needn’t have been worried at all. After the first 5 days the battery level stood at 94%. It was then that I felt confident enough to send hourly signals as we travelled the remaining 4 days down the Icecap and back to civilisation. When we arrived back in El Chalten the battery life showed 84%.

These are excellent figures/results and very much against the grain of most modern technological gadgetry which seem to consume battery life rapidly!

Specific Problems

(1) The message screen – a character is missing from the right hand side of each line on the message screen. This did not inhibit interpretation of the message but was more of an inconvenience. A right hand margin needs to be set.

Future Enhancements

The Yellowbrick did all that we asked of it to fulfill our expedition support functions. Now we come to our “it would be really nice if it…….” requests. Most of these I believe are very close to being released.

(1) Creation of our own text messages to send. This is the most important development in my opinion. We managed ok with the standard built-in text messages, but this would be a welcome addition.
(2) Pairing to a Bluetooth device and Android or iPhone App. Nice, but hardly essential. In a blizzard I’m not going to be thinking of taking my gloves off and connecting to my HTC smartphone.
(3) Update Social Networks – Ok, I know. It’s not that important, but would be a nice touch to add to your website/social sites.

Camp at Paso Marconi, Southern Patagonian Icecap

Pricing

Purchasing the unit – You will find a current list of prices on the Yellowbrick website.  Currently the basic model is 399GBP for Tracking, Basic Messaging and Basic Alerts (50GBP more for Advanced Messaging and Bluetooth).

Monthly ongoing cost – I like the new simpler way of monthly pricing. It is 8GBP for Basic and Standard models. In addition you pay 6GBP for a bundle of “50 credits”. To send a position report costs you 1 credit (ie 0.12p). Every 50 characters of message to or from the Yellowbrick costs you 1 credit too (ie 0.12p).

This compares very well when you look at alternative forms of Satellite Messaging.  Sat phones are phenomenally expensive to use. The Delorme InReach is much more expensive too, with penalties should you change down contract plans. What I like about the Yellowbrick pricing structure is that you know what everything is going to cost. Then it’s up to you?

Conclusion

We love it! A great addition to our mountaineering team. We made the correct decisions based on the information we received from the unit. Solid build, tough, functional and the Iridium satellite network ensures global coverage. Great battery life, affordable pricing and easy operation. In the tough environment of the mountains we can’t really ask for too much more, can we?

Reference Sources

Yellowbrick Website
Yellowbrick 3 data sheet (pdf)
Our Expedition Webpage

A short (1 min) video showing the unit in use on the Icecap.

From the initiative we want to thank the interest shown by Alejandro Molina to Accion Sierra Nevada, author of the article reproduced and translated into english (as best I can!) below.

Another way of understanding Sport of Mountaineering

Granada is one of the provinces with most passion for the mountains in Spain and has a set of peaks higher than 3,000 meters very close.

But for some mountaineers to climb is not enough. The last 2 months has seen the light of the ‘Accion Sierra Nevada’ initiative, whose work is already making a very positive note. They have been responsible for important restoration work carried out in the refugios of Caballo and Elorrieta, long demanded by all mountaineers.

Non profit or other claim that care for and maintain the mountain, ‘Accion Sierra Nevada’ was born spontaneously and with social networks as a backdrop. This time it was an English mountaineer who lives in the Alpujarra named Richard Hartley who decided to call on Facebook to find people who would like to restore the Refugio de Caballo. Although the response at first was small, they had the financial support of a friend of Hartley, who sent money from England so they could rent a mule to carry the materials to the refugio. The expedition formed of 3 mountaineers, 2 muleteers and a mule after Richard contacted Jesus Labajo. This represented the birth of ‘Accion Sierra Nevada’.

Labajo Jesus, who for years directed the popular Base Camp radio program, decided to create ‘Accion Sierra Nevada’ without any economic or other claim. The goal being a meeting point among all people who love this mountain. On its website (www.accionsierranevada.com) can be read the platform principles including statements that, besides being non profit, they are apolitical and independent.

Along with Labajo and Hartley, the association MADIF (mutually supportive), has also played an important role in the creation of Accion Sierra Nevada.

During these 2 months the number of members of the initiative have been increasing and have conducted 2 major restoration projects. In the first, a group of mountaineers climbed on October 1 to place a impermeable tarp in the refugio de Elorrieta. The aim was to accumulate in a tank as much snow so that they can have enough water this summer for future restoration work. In turn, funds are being raised through the initiative ‘bricks solidarity’ to carry out future work.

That, in addition, companies such as Sierra Nevada Mammut have donated part of his collection in various activities and will donate one euro for each of the inscriptions Climbing Championship of Andalusia, as well as Spanish Highs, which will also donate one euro each client may have during the winter season. Others like Nivalis transfer their facilities to be able to carry out the meetings.

Harder has been, if anything, the second action that took place in the Refugio de Caballo. The conditions under which this mythical site stood were deplorable, as the main need was the fitting of a door to prevent animals and snow during the winter, which left the hut almost useless for its function. Again, unselfish collaboration marked the work. Thus, the blacksmith Miguel Jimenez, who saw the notice on the Internet, decided to donate an iron door valued at 1,400 euros. The fitting of the door was quite an ordeal, because the weight of the materials and snowfall forced the members to turn around when they were at 2,500 meters. They dropped and left a great part of the materials and returned the following weekend to complete the fitting. May hours of uphill marching and carrying materials. After an interminable time in which there was no lack of snow and wind, the result was a success, and today the Caballo can boast one of the best unguarded refugios in Spain.

Obviously, the direction of the national park is no stranger to this work. As Jesus Labajo explains, “after the first intervention the Park contacted us to get our attention. I look normal because they have to keep track of what is done. Now we have good relationship and we always coordinate with them so they are informed of our activities. ” It must be remembered these refugios currently depend on the national park.

Anyway, ‘Action Sierra Nevada’ is not tied to any institution or association. According Labajo, it is about having an open project for anyone who wants to help. “‘Action Sierra Nevada’,  precisely what is intended is that the door is open to anyone with the desire to do something in the mountains,” says Jesus.

Along with the restoration in the refugios, the initiative aims to develop projects to restore trails and do reforestation work.

Source: www.desafio.ideal.es

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.

Alcazaba and Mulhacen N faces

From Granada, head east on good roads and pass by the town of Pinos Genil and on through the town of Guejar Sierra. On the eastern outskirts of Guejar Sierra take a left turn signposted “Camping Cortijo Balderas”. This road is concreted but narrow. After 2km take a rough road right (marked with a No Entry sign!). Take this and drop down to a crossing of the Rio Maitena. Follow this concreted road as it winds upwards.

After another 2km the concrete road ends and a dirt track ensues. This is a bit rough in places and a 4WD is preferable. The road zig zags across the mountainside, eventually reaching the crest of the Loma de la Cuna de los Cuartos (1949m, 40 mins from Guejar Sierra). As you reach the crest an incredible vista meets the eye. The whole of the Sierra Nevada from Veleta through to Picon de Jerez lies before you. Not only that, but this side is steep which make for dramatic views of the north faces, alpine in scale.

There is a small Fire Lookout here and this makes a good place to take photographs. You can then follow the track east, close to the crest of the Loma. After another 3km a chain across the track prevents further progress. There are superlative views into the head of the Rios’ Vadillo and Genil. The Vereda de Estrella lies far beneath.

Panorama from Alcazaba to Veleta

If you are feeling energetic you can walk from here to the Refugio Peña Partido a further 5km just past the minor peak of Papeles (2424m). The hut makes a useful base for exploratory trips on the remote northern mountains such as Puntal de los Cuartos, Atalaya or Pico del Cuervo.

Today though we had gone solely for the views and to see the best views of the Sierras in winter mode. On the way back to the car we were joined by a Golden Eagle and a Griffon Vulture soaring on the thermals. This trip is a great for a half day excursion.

Lots more photos below……………

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Teams carry materials w flank Cerro de Caballo

It’s funny how things develop. In the summer Pepe Badaje, Jesús Labajo Yuste of Campo Base, myself, together with muleteers, Toni and Jonni (not forgetting Pepito the mule!), spent 3 days carrying materials up to 3000m to clean, repair and renovate the badly decrepit Refugio de Caballo. Little did we realise the seed we were creating would grow into a credible initiative that has since gained support from many mountain loving sources, including the Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada.

At that time we cleaned, painted and put in a new window and repaired the door. Unfortunately our combined resources were not enough to firmly fix the original door and within a week, winds and heavy handed humans had broke it away from it’s hinges. A more professional approach was required. Acción Sierra Nevada itself had developed, mainly due to the efforts of Jesús. We has a Facebook page and also a website. The local spanish community had also started backing the initiative in a big way.

Companies too have backed the initiative donating funds or materials in support. See the list of the participating companies and organisations and a list of collective commitments. Funds are still required to continue the good start we have had. The next refugio for next spring will be the Refugio Elorietta which has already been cleaned of old ironwork. This was done through the Parque Nacional who employed mules for a week. Reforestation and path repair projects may be for the future?

On 30th October I was lucky enough to join another 25 people in helping to take a new door, materials, generator, fuel, table, chairs and materials up to the Refugio del Caballo. We met in Niguelas at 7am and by 11:30 had reached the refugio. Tiring work carrying at nearly 3000m.  Then the professionals took over and within 3 hours we had the strongest, best looking door in the Sierras! The return down the hill took longer than expected due to zero visibility and it was dark by the time our transport was collected. A long but memorable and rewarding day working with fellow mountain loving individuals. Thanks to all for the help and cameraderie!

I urge all those who love these mountains to support Acción Sierra Nevada in whatever way you can. This story shows that together, we can actually make a difference!

Below is a slide show of photos I took from the day.

Snowblind. Not a pretty sight!

I guess after spending over 40 years walking in the mountains I’ve been lucky not to have contracted snowblindness before. Sure, I might have had some mild symptoms before, some sore eyes that I always put down to the wind. But in truth I didn’t recognise these as being snowblind. That was all to change during our last expedition to the Patagonian Icecap in November 2010.  Now I am all too aware of the consequences.

It was supposed to be a relatively easy day. Reaching the flat plateau of the Icecap mid-afternoon. We had gone well to start with and were above the serac barrier and onto the long but slow rise to the Paso Marcoini when we got caught in a whiteout. Strong winds were blowing spindrift into our faces. Visibility went and we were surrounded by a grey howling mass. It was the worst possible place to get caught as the winds from the icecap escape eastwards, channeling together at the Paso Marconi. Too high to retreat. Pushing on meant some hard hours graft and discomfort.

After wearing contact lenses for 20 years I now wear glasses. Glasses and goggles in a blizzard do not make a good combination. They fog up and make navigation even more difficult. So I abandon the glasses as they are useless. Anyway, my shortsightedness will not affect things greatly. The lenses of my goggles become not only foggy but ice encrusted. I am blind. I am the navigator and as such I need any help I can get from the sloping, featureless terrain.  The team are relying on me. I take of my goggles.

Safe but in a lot of pain

My eyelids become iced up. Two inch long icicles hang off my nose. As night begins to fall we reach the icecap and hastily build our snow walls and put up tents.

Next day is just as bad. Today though we are pulling out. Uncertainty with the weather and the previous days mauling make us retreat to lick our wounds. We head east, this time with the wind at our backs. It is still a whiteout and the navigation to find the top of the Serac barrier, the key to our escape, is critical. There is no sun, just a dense grey mass. I leave my glasses and goggles off. After 3 hours descending we reach safety and leave the Marconi glacier.

We rest beside our campsite situated by the lake at “La Playita”. It feels good to be out of the wind. I fall asleep but wake early evening and my eyes feel gritty. During the next few hours the uncomfortable feeling worsens. It becomes painful to open my eyes. Every time I blink a tear detaches from the eyes and streams down my cheek.

I spend an uncomfortable night. The only relief is not to move my eyes behind my closed eyelids. Any movement of eyes or eyelids is painful. My buff is wound tightly around my face. Somehow it feels less painful tightly wrapped up.

Next day head back to civilisation. I have a rough day’s walk with a big pack.  More difficult as I find it hard to open the eyes. I squint my eyes together as much as I can and try to negotiate the rough terrain. Any light send tears down both cheeks. It is an awful feeling.

No epics. We get back. But the pain continues for a further 48 hours. I look ridiculous, crying in my beer, in the bars and restaurants of El Chalten! After 48 hours the symptoms gradually gradually, but I feel some discomfort for about a week to come.

So what have I learnt?

Well, I certainly know what to expect should I leave my eyes unguarded. But if I was in the same situation again what could I have done? In my opinion the damage was done during the 10 hours on the first day climbing up to the Paso Marconi. It was vital I was able to navigate correctly. A spare pair of goggles might have helped?

Day two should have seen me put on sunglasses or goggles. That was a mistake. It was grey, an absence of sun. Because of the previous 24 hours battling, maybe my head was not functioning correctly. I should have known better though, as I once got badly sunburnt in the Sierra Nevada on a grey, cloudy days ski touring.

Becoming snowblind is not nice. Even on poor days eyes must be adequately protected. I am going back to Patagonia in November 2012, revisiting the icecap. I will be much more guarded but any advice would be greatly welcomed!

Update……………….. you could of course use Gaffa Tape!!!!!

Gaffa tape as snow goggles