During April 2013, members of the Spanish Highs team joined a Berghaus sponsored expedition led Berghaus athlete, Julia Pickering, attempting to make the first ski and snowboard climb and descent of the highest active volcano in Kamchatka, Klyutchevskoy Sopka (4750m). Richard Hartley and Kiersten Rowland of Spanish Highs, Sierra Nevada were invited to join this Berghaus [...]
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Pleased to announce that we have a new provider of mountain bike hire for those who want to have a few days touring the hills of the Alpujarras and Lecrin Valley areas of the southern Sierra Nevada. Deportes Nómadas of Durcal can now supply mountain bikes for rent and hire. This well stocked outdoor shop [...]
Read More Alpujarras, deportes nomadas, durcal, hire, lecrin valley, mountain bike, mountain bike hire, outdoor equipment retailer, rent
We have been long term testing a pair of Scarpa Kailash GTX boots recently in the rugged mountains of the Sierra Nevada, Sierra de Huetor, Granada and surrounding areas. Find out how they performed? We were looking for a boot that would perform well in the dry, rocky mountains of Spain’s Sierra Nevada in summer [...]
Read More boot, kailash, review, scarpa
The winter is nearly upon us. It’s time to sharpen the ice tools, wax the skis and prepare the mountain equipment for another season of fun in the snow and ice of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The first major snowfalls that sick around and consolidate will usually fall in October or November. That means it [...]
Read More checklist, equipment checklists, mountain gear
We have been reviewing and testing the Yellowbrick 3 Tracking system on the Southern Patagonian Icecap recently. This is a remote and wild place and a good place to put the Yellowbrick and it’s satellite network through it’s paces. Here are our findings and observations. Our Particular Requirements Our previous experience on the Icecap in [...]
Read More emergency messages, Icecap, Messengers, Satellite, satellite network, smartphone, southern patagonia, text messaging, Tracker, tracking, yellowbrick
At last a simple lightweight harness that fits the basic needs of alpinists, mountaineers and ski tourers, the Black Diamond Couloir Harness. But how simple is it to get into? We decided to find out. Being more of a mountaineer and ski tourer than outright rock climber I have always been fascinated by simple lightweight [...]
Read More black diamond, couloir, equipment, harness, Nomadas, review
Just how do you work out how many gas canisters you should take for a weeks high level trekking? After many mistakes over the years I think I’ve finally got it cracked! The last straw was on the Patagonian Icecap last November. Weight was critical and I severely overestimated our intended usage of gas for [...]
Read More camp cooking, cold gas, cook meals, Cooking, expedition, gas canister, gas usage, los tres miles, Patagonian, Stove, test, trangia
We have been fans of the Spot Messenger for many years. Now we eagerly look forward to the arrival of a new champion, a 2 way Satellite Communicator due for release in October, the Delorme inReach. We review the initial specifications. The Delorme inReach delves into somewhat uncharted territory. It is not a Sat Phone. [...]
Read More android, App, Communicator, Delormes, expedition, Globalstar, GPS, inReach, Iridium, Messenger, Navigator, Satellite, smartphone, smartphones, spot messenger
What to take when trekking in the high Sierra Nevada this summer? The gear and equipment checklists below are what we, as mountain guides, would take and use for day and multi day high level (3000m+) treks. Links are given to manufacturers websites. Please note that these are personal preferences only and should be used [...]
Read More Cooking, equipment checklists, gear list, lightweight tent, mountain, Rucksacks, Stove, Sunglasses, Trekking, windproof jacket, Windstopper, windstopper fleeceSalomon, as an innovator in the world of the mountain for the winter brings the latest in footwear for mountain races. The new Salomon Cross Spike shoe has been developed and tested by runners in international events. You can buy both products and more at Deportes Nomadas of Durcal near Granada. . The Spikecross 3 [...]
Read More approach, footwear, hiking, mountain races, runners, salomon, Salomon Cross, Salomon X-Over, sneaker, Spikecross, trail running