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.

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.

Splitboard the Sierras

For those of you that have never heard of a splitboard before, it is essentially a snowboard that splits into skis for ascents with the use of climbing skins and is reformed back into a Snowboard for descents.It gives the snowboarder the ability to tour without the need of ascent skis or snow shoes in deep powder conditions.

We are bringing this to the Sierra Nevada this coming winter through the guiding of  husband and wife team Warwick and Julia Pickering.

Warwick worked for many seasons in the French Alps developing his ski mountaineering ability before crossing the sport with Julia’s love of snowboarding.

Warwick and Julia Pickering

Julia is qualified outdoor professional as well as a snowboard mountaineer and sponsored athlete. They have both previously worked as arctic snowmobile guides and have recently returned from a successful venture into the remote mountains of East Greenland accomplishing many spectacular first ascents and descents.

Now snowboarders will have the chance to follow our highly successful ski touring adventures here in the Sierra Nevada.

More information about the Splitboarding tours.

Split board in action

The old ramshackle door

We must fix the issue before winter. The solution is to take up a new door in good condition. On Saturday September 17th Pepe Badaje, a member of the original restoration team, climbed up to the refuge to measure for a new door. It measures 1.95 by 90 cm, in case anyone has already one that size they dont want! At present, there is a forum member of Nevasport who has offered to produce the new door. That with a stable door construction as at the Carihuela Refuge would be best.

Funds just may be available from the new initiative “Acción Sierra Nevada“. I encourage you to join in with the efforts and/or donations to assist this good cause.

Pepe gave it a sweep inside and collected and removed another garbage bag of litter from the environs of the refuge. The window was not closed properly. It is noteworthy that two weeks after cleaning, it was quite dirty. This makes one think? Why fix it? How hard is to take ones own debris and garbage from the mountain?

I think it is rather a question of education. Thank god for the many who strive to care for the mountains. So, we will continue the fight against these fanatics who call themselves “mountaineers”.

See below for the gallery of the state of the refuge and surrounding area.

“Acción Sierra Nevada” is an independent platform for the improvement and conservation of the mountains.

Mid-winter Refugio de Caballo

We feel excited to have been around at the instigation of this platform and also to have been involved in the restoration of the Refugio de Caballo that showed the National Park and others what is possible given the necessary effort and commitment.

Main Features of “Accion Sierra Nevada”:

- Non profit making. If money is generated or obtained through donations, sponsorships or whatever it will all be reversed and given back to the Sierra Nevada mountains.
- Independent. This is a popular initiative by the whole mountaineering community.
- Non-political. Our ideology is the mountain and everything that entails.
- Non bureaucratic. This is an association of like minded individuals and is not registered nor has no statutes.
- A platform to which individuals can affiliate and feel part of. Also mountain clubs, sports clubs, private companies, environmental groups, associations of any kind, media etc. The more people and groups join the initiative the better.
- The aim is to improve and conserve the Sierra Nevada mountains and through real projects, campaigns and action.

It is clear that we live a time of great economic, social and even moral problems. If management fails to act then we (the mountaineers) must take the initiative. The issue of refugios in the Sierra Nevada has always been a recurring issue. It is time to act! We now also have the support of the Sierra Nevada National Park.

This project belongs to everyone and anyone. Please join and put forward your point of views and ideas if you think they are all valid and will enhance the movement. Spread the word and invite your contacts to participate as well. Visit Acción Sierra Nevada Facebook Pages

Time for Action!

The Refugio Elorrieta

Located at 3187m in the heart of the Sierras the Elorrieta has for a long time been in a state of disrepair.  The shelter was built between 1931 and 1933 and was at the time an ambitious project. It had a generator for lighting, heating and water installation, but over time the weather (strong winds in winter and high temperature contrasts in summer) and the hand of man have left it in the sorry state it is today. 

A new venture has started named “Acción Sierra Nevada“. An Independent platform for the improvement and conservation of the Sierra Nevada.  One aim is to assist in the cleaning, restoration and repair of these old mountain refuges.

They need everyone to support the venture. Please visit Website and Facebook Pages

The film below was shot on 10th September 2011. More videos at http://canalsierranevada.com/

Elorrieta, el refugio triste from lokofilms on Vimeo.

Reformation work outside the Refugio de Caballo, Sierra Nevada

Last week we conducted a reformation of the Refugio del Caballo. The initiative came from a few friends and fellow mountain lovers. In three days we managed to clean up the shelter, put in a new window, refix the door that had been torn loose. We also painted the door and window frames and took away all the garbage from inside.

We opened a Facebook Page to support the initiative and welcome any further support. More details of the reformation work and photos

Our friend Jesús Labajo Yuste of Campo Base, who has subsequently negotiated with the National Park reports further…

The National Park learned of our actions with the Refugio del Caballo and afterwards we had a meeting with them and the conclusions of that meeting are excellent:

1. The park is open to this kind of grassroots initiative to improve concrete mountain huts and refuges and other activities in the Sierra Nevada  in general. Any initiative should be communicated in advance to the National Park. That is contrary to the false belief that we have previously had on the Park’s refusal to welcome local initiatives. We will find in future we will have a very good disposition. For the economic times in which we currently live, the Park cannot provide funding, but it will allow any initiative that meets the rules and is respectful of the environment. This is a huge step forward.

2. At the moment another initiative for the Elorrieta Refuge is developing. The National Park is to inform and facilitate the paperwork for the project as well as providing advice. We shall keep you informed on the development of it. When the time comes, the mountaineering community will be called on to actively participating in the restoration work and/or donations to the attainment of the project.

3. It is clear that we live a time of great economic, social and even moral problems. If management fails to act then we (the mountaineers) must take the initiative. The issue of refuges in Sierra Nevada has always been a recurring issue. It is time to act! We now also have the support of the Sierra Nevada National Park. The Refugio de Caballo has been restored with very basic means and very few people, but with lots of enthusiasm and effort. We wish this work to be respected and preserved by all who pass by this Refuge.

Follow the discussion thread on Nevasport Forums at http://www.nevasport.com/phorum/read.php?10%2C2536558

There is now massive support from the local spanish mountaineering community to push things forward. We shall be opening a website specifically for initiatives to restore the old mountain huts. Things are moving in the right direction!

Magical! The refuge and lake in winter

The refuge is in a superb situation below the 3009m summit of the Cerro de Caballo, above the Alpujarras town of Lanjarón, and adjacent to the lake of the same name. In the winter it is snowed up wonderland, except for the state of the refuge that is!

The refuge has steadily been getting worse. In March we saw a photo of the refuge full of snow and litter (see below). With the passage of time and the poor, despicable treatment by those who call themselves “mountain lovers”, it was in a poor state. The door was torn off and the window had gone to be replaced by stones and plastic bags. The floor was uneven and worst of all, there was garbage all over the place. No excuses for leaving litter I’m afraid! It was time for some action.

The bad old days in summer and winter

We set up a Facebook Page “Iniciativa para la restauración de los refugios del Caballo y del Elorrieta” to publicise the problem. Pepe Badaje and myself made an initial visit at the beginning of August 2011. I know nothing about construction but Pepe is indeed a master! We needed to clean, paint, and put on a door and window. The problem though, would the transportation of materials from 2150m at the Ventura trailhead to the refuge at 2850m.

A mule was the obvious answer, but being of simple means the cost of hiring a mule would be too much. Client, Andy Bissaker then came to the rescue with an unbelievable offer of paying for the mule! In these difficult times for all, the assistance from unexpected sources is indeed inspiring.

Travels with Pepito the mule

At 6am on August 20th 2011, together with Pepe Badaje, Jesús Labajo Yuste of Campo Base and muleteers, Toni and Jonni (not forgetting Pepito the mule!), we met at the Ventura trailhead above Lanjarón. We accessed the Rio Lanjarón via the Acequia Alta above the Ventura refugio. Getting a mule along parts of the old acequia was trying at times and took a long time. Once in the river valley we climbed up to the refuge and arrived there by 1pm.

Then it was down to work. Jesus and myself cleaned litter and stones from the building whilst Pepe started on the window. By the end of the day the hut was clean, the ancient wooden replacement window in place and the door frame cemented in. All the accumulated litter was taken back down to Lanjarón which we reached at 8pm, after a 5am start.

Window and concrete mixing

Next day was another incredible 7 hour round trip commute to work! Toni, Jonni and Pepito had slept at the Ventura trailhead. They still had another carry of paint and cement to perform. This time we accessed the refuge via the southern ridge. Some pathless terrain, but better for Pepito than the acequia of the previous day. Kiersten Rowland came along to assist with the painting.

The interior painting went well and the window was completed, but there were some problems with the door frame. It moved! Pepe used his ingenuity and managed to strengthen the frame using counter pressure. Not perfect, but the best we could do given the circumstances. We retired back downhill for the night.

The infamous door and the outside step

We had a day of rest before we ventured uphill again on the Thursday. The most important task was to ensure the door was ok. In addition we had to clear the front and back of the refuge of stones and create a doorstep. We left cleaning materials in the refuge and a spade hung up outside to clear the snow away. When we departed the refuge looked great. But will the door last? Personally, I think not. I think a return trip just may be required. Vamos a Ver!

Finishing touches to the restoration

On our descent down the mountain we were full of contentment. Fulfilled and happy in the knowledge that we had helped to restore an historic and important mountain refuge. It seemed that we were rewarded when we had a fly past from four magnificent Griffon Vultures. Even the Cabra Monteses had no fear of us. Magical times that will live long in the memory. Thank you amigos.

Special thanks to Pepe, Kiersten, Jesús, Toni, Jonni and Andy (also Pepito our wonderful mule). Bonded forever in a common cause.

Also thanks to the Parque Nacional for overlooking our indiscretions and lack of respect for permissions. And for seeing sense!

The plaque we left hanging up says it all…..

“With the humble effort of a mule, 2 drovers and 4 mountaineers. If all who use the refuge care and respect it. Keep it, the lake and the environment clean. Take our garbage and leave the window and door locked when we leave. We will continue to have shelter for many years to come”

Says it all really!

Links to more photos of the work. Please continue to support this initiative which we believe will not and should not stop here! The Parque Nacional have asked us to help with the Refugio del Elorrieta which is also in a bad condition. All help is needed as this would be a much bigger project.

Shovel, exterior and plaque

Inside is space for about 5 in the main room and maybe 2 more in the entrance area. I have yet to confirm the exact grid reference but it lies at 473126E 4096752N 30S. Could be useful in an emergency or for those lost on the Alto de Corrillo in mist or bad weather. May also prove useful for winter purposes being only an hour and a half from Mulhacen summit. There is a shovel attached to the marker pole for clearing out snow etc.

It is not marked on any map I own. Who put up the marker post? Who supplied the shovel? For want of a better name at this time, I’ve called it the “Chorrillo Refugio”

The hut from the outside. Mulhacen behind

Inside the "Chorrillo" hut

The easily identifiable marker post