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

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

It commands a wide panoramic view stretching from the Hoya de Guadix-Baza to the ridges of the Sierra Nevada mountain peaks and lies at the foot of the Picon de Jerez, halfway between the Jerez de Marquesado and the high village of Trevélez in the Alpujarras. Despite being well integrated into the environment it can be easily distinguished from higher areas because of it’s situation within a prominent forest firebreak.

The source and inspiration for some of this article can be found and downloaded in spanish here including photos reproduced here.

In the early 90′s, the Comité de Refugios de la Federación Andaluza raised the need for a refuge in this area. It was initially called the Refugio Ballesteros, in fact, even today that can be found under that name in some legal documents.

In 1994 the works began, performed by Tragsa under the National Plan of Mountain Refuges, jointly funded by the Higher Sports Council and the Board of Andalusia.

It was finally finished and inaugurated in 1996. It is owned by the Junta de Andalucía, in the recent past through Egmasa, now through the Ministry of Environment itself. The Andalusian Federation (FAM) aims to promote and develop the practice of mountaineering using the hut as a base.

Characteristics of the Refuge.

The Postero Alto refugio

The location meets the criteria for use as a refuge ie is easily reachable from the summits, and at the same time, it is in harmony with the environment. The construction of the shelter is modeled on several ruins of old mining towns. The refuge is based on three levels forming three concentric circles linked by semi-covered alleyways. At the core is the common living room, dining room, storage and housing of the guardian. In the next circle are toilets and general services, woodshed, etc. And in the outer ring, the bedrooms and dormitories.

Its design is thought through following several criteria:

1 – optimization of resources and recycled materials and 2-3 – its resemblance to the mining town. This is reflected in the following aspects: the set is defined by a small village huddled, harmonized with the landscape and built with stone from the region. The windows are small and irregular to allow light to enter without reducing its insulating ability walls. The chimneys are painted with rust from the mine, to increase the similarity to the mining town. The wooden structure from recycled railroad rails and telephone poles, giving it a rustic feel. Likewise the pavement is of local clay tiles. The area of common living room and dining room make up the largest area  forming a large space and a unique atmosphere.

In the spring of 2010, after 14 years, a complete renovation was performed to make essential repairs, waterproofing of the roof, replacement of carpentry, moisture correction, adaptation, accessibility, improved electrical system, adequacy of rooms, etc. Currently, the Refuge is in a great condition for use in outdoor activities.

Services

It is open daily from June 15 to September 15. The rest of the year it is open weekends, bank holidays, even on some weekdays. The capacity is 65 beds, distributed into 7 independent rooms with named appropriately Alhorí, Picon, Gallo, Sabina, Swifts, Lobos, etc

The water comes from a spring located on the hill itself, a few metres above. The refuge has: hot shower, bar, food and beverage service, commissary, beds, first aid, weather forecast, radio transmitters, phone, fireplace, library, wifi network, open kitchen, blankets and wastewater treatment. Last season the refuge provided relief materials to support rescue teams increasingly used more often in the area. In the vicinity, although there is a helicopter landing area.

The current guardians, Moslero Pilar and Pedro Zamora, work hard to provide a professional service to the mountaineering and outdoor community.

Access

Location in a firebreak

Despite being a high mountain refuge, during the summer season access can be made with vehicle ( preferably off-road).  At the southern part of Jerez de Marsquesado take the turn right (signposted), after passing by the Centro de Defensa Forestal de Los Moralillos, take a dirt road (Camino Forestal del Marquesado) which rises to the left. After about 9 km of forest track, turn right and approach the final stretch of the firebreak. The last section is in a  poor condition. After 2.7 kms you arrive at the hut. In winter, this last part of the firebreak usually accumulates snow and maybe impossible even with chains.

For the approach on foot, take the path of PR-A-31. This path is well signposted, heads south west and takes us to the refuge in about 6 km and with 650 meters of ascent. With normal or medium rucksack loads this may take between 2 and 2.5 hours to cover the route.

Activities and Possibilities

The Refugio Postero Alto offers a variety of possibilities for mountain activities. The climb to Jerez to Picon (3,088 m.), the easternmost of the 3000m mountains of the Sierra Nevada is a classic tour climbs. The hut also starts the classic “Los Tres Miles Ruta Integral“, a 4 or 5 day crossing of the whole Sierra Nevada range through to Lanjaron in the south west. It typically takes between 3 and 4 hours for the ascent and requires adequate physical preparation. In the winter is essential to use crampons and ice axe.

Another trip of interest from this location is the traverse over the Puerto de Trevelez to the high village of Trevélez in the high Alpujarra.

The snow and ice of the Barranco del Alhori

To the west of the Loma de Enmedio, is the Barranco del Alhorí. This is home to an ancient glacial cirque. In the winter becomes a perfect place for the practice and teaching of mountaineering and ice climbing. The Alhorí Cascades are at the head of the ravine at about 2,800 meters. These waterfall form great ice sheets every winter from mid-December to late April, with between 15 and 45 meters. See our review of the ice climbing guidebook ” Sierra Nevada Cascadas de Hielo” by Antonio José Herrera

Hiking and trekking are other activities that have a place around the Postero Alto Refugio, mainly from spring to autumn. The path PR-A-31, previously described access to the refuge. You can continue to return to Jerez completing a circular route that passes through the Cortijo del Hornillo and the recreation area at La Tizná. A full day trip of 6 hours, full of natural and scenic interest.

Section 17 of the well known Sulayr Path (GR-240) has its onset in the Postero Alto Refugio. In this section the trail reaches its highest point at 2400 meters at the headwaters of the Rio Maitena. Section 16 of the said GR: Chorreras-Postero Alto has beautiful views of the villages of the Marquis (La Calahorra, Aldeire, Lanteira). A long section of more than 21 kms.

The possibilities for ski touring and backcountry skiing are equally vast using the refugio as a start point or base, including the Picón de Jerez, Puntal de Juntillas, Cerro Pelado, Puerto y Cerro de Trevélez and Puerto de las Albardas.

The large number of forest tracks in the levels immediately below the refuge provide many options for mountain biking, which is why the refuge is in the vicinity of the Transnevada, a route of 500 kms of Sierra Nevada mountain biking which is signposted as the system of the IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Association).

Other nearby mountain refuges

A day’s march west, following the path of the Sulayr, you can reach the Refuge Bivouac de Peña Partida. Connection with the Puerta de la Ragua can be done in a very long day 30 kms eastwards along the Sulayr.

For experts you could reach the Refugio del Poqueira in two long days. A high mountain route with great distance and without any signs.

Contact

It is essential to make a reservation in good time before your intended visit.
The phone numbers are (+34) 616 506 083 and (+34) 958 066 110
Email is: refugioposteroalto@hotmail.com and website is at www.refugioposteroalto.es.

Also check the Sierra Nevada Weather sources before coming out here especially in the winter months.

The Postero Alto El Refugio is affiliated with other national federations and has reciprocal rights for other alpine countries that offers a discount on accommodation and food.

Thanks for Nevasport for the original source in spanish

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.

Background

The Sierra Nevada as seen from the beaches of the Costa Tropical

On two occasions I had driven from Salobreña on the coast to Trevélez at 1,500m in the hope of summiting Mulhacén in a one day trip. Both times I reached around 3,200m when I started to feel dizzy, had a racing pulse and a banging headache. My body was telling me I had ascended too quickly from sea level and so I turned back.

It seemed logical that if I started at sea level and walked all the way to the summit, my body would acclimatize slowly and so the idea of the Sea2Sky walk came about. I discussed it with a friend who said he would be interested in joining me and I set about planning the most direct route. This would take us up and over the coastal range of hills (La Contraviesa), through the eastern end of La Tahá, along part of the GR7 long distance path to Trevélez, up to the Siete Lagunas at 3,000m and then an early morning ascent of Mulhacén. We decided that weather-wise, early June would be a good time as the last of the winter snow would have disappeared and it wouldn’t be too hot during the day.

Day 1 – Castillo de Baños to Torvizcón (24kms and 1,273m of ascent)

We were dropped off at 9.00am on the beach at Castillo de Baños. We picked up a couple of pebbles and sea shells (which we would leave on the summit of Mulhacén) and we started up the GR6204 to Polopos. We knew the whole of the first day would be on tarmac roads so we wore lightweight shoes rather than boots but even so, with the temperature reaching the low thirties, we were glad of the rest while we ate our sandwiches at Venta del Chaparro.  As we started the 8km descent to our overnight stop in Torvizcón, we caught a glimpse of our objective rising above its neighbouring peaks of the Sierra Nevada.

Day 2 – Torvizcón to Trevélez (26kms and 1,246m of ascent)

Back on the tarmac again, we passed Almegijar before turning off the road and a welcome descent on a good footpath down to the Rio Trevélez in La Tahá. This area was occupied and cultivated by the Arabs because of its abundant natural spring water and fertile soil and is an excellent walking area in its own right. We made a short diversion from our route for tea and home-made cake at the little cafe-bar in Ferreirola before climbing again to Busquistar for our lunch break.

From Busquistar we took the well-signposted GR7. The route traverses the western flank of the Rio Trevélez valley, passing through oak forests which provided welcome shade from the sun, and fantastic views up the valley towards Trevélez and the mountains beyond. After almost ten hours of walking, we reached Trevélez in the early evening and our billet for the night. Knowing we didn’t have an early start in the morning, we ate well at La Fragua which probably serves the best food in the Alpujarra.

Day 3 – Trevélez to Siete Lagunas (9kms and 1,500m of ascent)

After a relaxing morning sitting on the hotel terrace in the sunshine, we had lunch at La Fragua. When the owner heard we were heading for Mulhacén, he insisted on filling our flask with rioja. Who were we to object? The marked footpath rises steeply out of Trevélez but then eases as it gradually heads north-west giving superb views. We were surprised to have to cross so much snow on the path and the large volume of melt water added a certain frisson to a couple of the river crossings.

After a steady five hours walking, we arrived at the Siete Lagunas and, considering how good the weather was, I was expecting to see dozens of people already there. Amazingly we had the place to ourselves all night….until one of our food containers was spirited away by a fox in the early hours. The sky was perfectly clear and our bivouac in a rock shelter became a natural planetarium with the night sky passing overhead. We counted numerous satellites and spotted the international space station just above the horizon.

Day 4 – Siete Lagunas to Mulhacén summit and descent to Hoya del Portillo (13kms and 481m of ascent)

The clear sky meant we had a cold night but as soon as the sun rose, its warmth melted the ice on our sleeping bags and we breakfasted on what food the fox hadn’t managed to find. We packed our gear and climbed steadily to reach the summit of Mulhacén at 9.00am, exactly seventy two hours after dipping our feet in the Mediterranean. The rioja was consumed, absent friends were toasted and we enjoyed the amazing views for half an hour or so before setting off on the long descent down the south ridge. Four hours walking brought us to the car park at Hoya del Portillo and our transport back down to the coast.

Ian Tupman
June 2009

NOTES

1. Since we did the walk, winter storm damage has washed out some of the small river valleys between Busquistar and Trevélez making them difficult to cross. A recce trip should be undertaken to assess the current state of this part of the route.
2. We carried all of our kit for the four days, including boots for the mountain sections and sleeping bags for the bivouac. Arrangements could be made to collect these at Busquistar or Trevélez to keep weight down, especially if high temperatures are forecast.
3. The tarmac sections on the first two days could be omitted by starting the walk in La Tahá. This should still give sufficient time to acclimatize to the altitude.

“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.