Thanks to Ian Tupman, from the Costa Tropical who sent in this report about his night at the hut and how the newly restored hut coped with the extreme conditions. I have passed this onto Acción Sierra Nevada for further restoration projects this coming summer. Thanks Ian!

Below you can see a video from the same expedition that shows the ferocity of the winds to good effect.

REPORT ON THE CONDITION OF REFUGIO DE CABALLO

Spindrift blows across the Cerro de Caballo

We arrived on the afternoon of December 16. It was windy over 120 km/hr. The door and window were closed and the interior was clean. During the night the wind increased with strong gusts. The new door is great and it worked perfectly. But there were problems. Within hours there was a layer of water on the floor. I have two suggestions,

Snow was coming through the window. To avoid this, I suggest a similar exterior shutter door construction.

The wind was so strong that the spindrift blew through through the ceiling of the refugio. Inside, you can see that the roof is discolored (black) where water and snow penetrated. I think there are small cracks in the ceiling and advise the application (by brush) of a fine mortar to exterior cracks.

I recognize that you can not do anything until spring but I’ll be willing to assist with the work.

Regards,
Ian Tupman
Technical Architect (retired)

I asked this question on the Worldwide Expedition professional group on LinkedIn

Hastily erected snow walls

Last year on the Patagonian Icecap we built snow walls as normal. In high winds spindrift gets dumped on the leeward side when the wind hits irregularities in the surface ie snow walls. This gave another problem in that we had good snow walls but the tents behind them got buried! Do you think there is any way the shape or construction of the wall can be improved to eliminate this occurrence? I ask this as I am heading for a rematch in Patagonia in November 2011! 

Thanks to the respondents and their excellent suggestions.

Damien Gildea • Richard, I had this problem once at high camp on Vinson. A 3-day storm blew in a lot of new snow and half-buried our VE25, needing lots of digging and a broken pole. I think it might help if you build the wall not so flat to the wind, with more of a V shape, or a U shape, so that the wind blows around the wall more, taking the snow with it, rather than just hitting it flat and dumping its load on your tent. I think it’s also good to make the wall at least as high as the tent, not the same or lower.

Stuart Remensnyder • no doubt shape is a huge factor along with height but something we had good luck with on Denali was a second lower wall in front of the main wall. The biggest mistake we made was taking over and abandoned “dug-in” site which filled in rapidly and we had to dig out in the am from drift snow only. from then on we always set up on a level the same as the main snowpack. good luck in November!

The main crag at Diezma

Access is very easy as the crag is just north of the A92 between Granada and Guadix. Coming from Granada turn off at the first Diezma exit, cross over the motorway and enter the west side of town. At the first junction turn left and follow a tarmac road signposted to a hotel and restaurant. After 2km this turns into a rougher road and just beyond you park opposite an entry to a dirt track on the right (5 mins).

Walk up the dirt track for 10 minutes before heading more directly to the base of the main crag (20 mins). There are great views back towards the Sierra Nevada.

Best rock guidebook to use is the excellent “Andalucia Guia de Escalada Deportiva” by David Munilla (Desnivel) ISBN: 84-96192-94-6. The pages that refer to Naranjtio, Peña Cabrera are 80-83.
Andalucía : guía de escalada deportiva

Sector Castillo

Sector Puerta

Sector Bosque

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

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

1. GR7 Trevelez to Busquistar
2. Pampaneira to Pitres via Bubion
3. GR7 Soportujar to Lanjarón via Cañar
4. Walk round the wetlands of Padul
5. La Taha, Mecina Fondales to Busquistar
6. Mulhacén (3482m) from the Mirador de Trevelez
7. Round of the Poqueira Gorge

Walking in the Alpujarras

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.

Park the car at the forestry recreation site at Puente Palo above the towns of Lanjaron, Soportujar and Cañar. Head left up the main forest track. After some 45 minutes take the second main track leading right which crosses a stream after 200m. The trees begin to thin out and we emerge on open hillside on the west side and above the Rio Chico. The path winds it’s way around and up the hillside before levelling out. A slight downhill leads to the Rio Chico itself. Care is required in crossing here, especially after rains.

Cross the river and follow an indistinct path trending rightwards to avoid forest and steep ground. The path then heads back into the upper forest. Much of the path hereabouts is blocked by fallen trees so some diversionary tactics will have to be employed. Below the large prominent outcrop of rock a left turn is made (north) and the track levels. Now it is 10 minutes to the hut along a gentle track. Total 3hrs.

The hut is perched on a lovely shelf on the western slopes of Las Alegas at some 2600m height. It has seen better days. The doors are hanging off although some efforts have been made to put windows in. Maybe this will be a site for our next refugio restoration effort for “Acción Sierra Nevada”? It is a superb situation however, and makes for a fine night in the mountains, especially with spectacular sunsets over the Mediterranean sea.

To visit the summit of Las Alegas (worth it for the fantastic views NE to Mulhacen and the main Sierra Nevada ridge line) climb the slopes behind the hut, easier to the right (45 mins)

For a longer round, leave the hut and trend upwards in a northerly direction following the line of Rio Chico. This brings you to a col where it is easy to ascend to the wonderful summits of Cerrillo Redondo or Tajos de los Machos (2hrs). A return can be made south along the ridge and then via the forest breaks to the start point of the walk (10hrs).

The Cebollar hut

Inside the Cebollar hut

Anna with Las Alegas and the white speck of the hut behind

David at the hut with Tajos de los Machos behind

Access

Through the town of Lanjaron to Orgiva. Turn left before Orgiva towards Capileira and Trevelez. After 20 mins you will enter a big gorge with 3 white villages high above the end of the valley. These villages are Pampaneira, Bubion and Capileira. Head round and up the gorge following the main road, passing through Pampaneira. Just 5 mins more and just before a petrol station turn left to Capileira.

Keep following the road through Capileira and on up the hillside. 5 mins – you will pass horse riding stables. Immediately after take the right when the road forks. Follow this rough track for 15 mins. Park at the Forestry Station barrier and car park (1hr from Lanjaron).

Mulhacen ascent

Perched precariously on Mulhacen summit point!

2hrs after starting you will arrive at the Mirador de Trevelez (a nice place for a breakfast stop will be found 30m to the right by some rocks overlooking the town of Trevelez). Continuing on the old road for 400m, a faint track leaves the road heading rightwards. This is the main south ridge access track. Follow to the south summit and hence to the main summit of Mulhacen (2.5 to 3hrs from Mirador de Trevelez).

Mulhacen descent

From the summit drop 50m south to a point where 2 adjacent cairns mark the start of the west flank path. Follow the track west. This steepens until the full extent of the west flank is seen below. Great views to the Caldera and Veleta areas. This is an unrelenting descent of 500m in a series of steep zig-zags. But it is quick! You should be down at the old road in 40 minutes.

Turn left (south) on the old road which passes over the “Paso de los Franceses” and eventually nears the Alto de Chorillo and the ascent route. Some 400m before the Alto de Chorrillo bear right down over pathless terrain to meet the road that goes from the Poqueira hut to the Alto de Chorrillo. Then, at the first left hand bend in the track take the traverse path south. Follow this along the mountainside. It passes through a forested area before arriving at the forest break above the Hoya del Portillo.

Follow the firebreak down. It is a bit rough, but no rougher than the Mulhacen slopes tackled previously. After 10 minutes you will see a small cairn on the left (looking down) that signifies a small path that enters the forest. Take this path. It is very faint in places but if you generally head a a descending traverse you are bound to reach the forest road or visitor car parks at the Hoya del Portillo.

And that’s it! A 24km walk up and down Mulhacen without ever having crossed the same tracks twice. It will take you between 7 and 9 hours with nearly 1200m of ascent. The Map and Google Earth Tour below will show you the route to be taken. There are links to altitude profiles and more mapping data.