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

Cerrillo Redondo above the forest

We enjoy Cerrillo Redondo and Tajos de los Machos.  They form our “back garden! Both are accessible from dirt tracks above the spa town of Lanjaron in the Alpujarras and give good winter mountaineering and ski touring. Puente Palo at 1700m is the normal start point but we have found a higher access this year that usually gets us to the snows in under 30 minutes.

Leaving the car and kitted up with skis and boots strapped to our sacks we headed for the top of the forest. I had to admit it didn’t look good. Lots of greens and very little white. Maybe I had miscalculated the retreat of the snows.

After 45 minutes traversing and then steeply up a forest break we arrived at our very own shangri-la at 1900m. A shallow valley above the forest edge with a beautiful babbling brook running alongside.

Skiing up the shallow gullies

Overhead we spotted the usual Bonellis and Golden Eagles. Above is the snow clad peak of Cerrillo Redondo. It is an idyllic place. We have been here many occasions throughout the winter running winter mountaineering courses or back country skiing tours.

And there at the left hand edge was a shallow series of gullies filled with snow and providing our access route to the heights. We geared up, donned skins and started uphill. The day was warm and the skies blue as we skinned uphill. On a couple of places we met broken ground and had to remove skis for a few metres.

After two hours of almost continuous snow ascent we arrived at a sub summit south of the reigning peak. A sharp breeze sprang up as we ate our sandwiches. Over to the east we could see las Alegas and the long south ridge of Mulhacen. Then it was time to set off down.

It is always a testing moment on the top of a remote mountain when one sets off downhill. What would the snow be like? Were we to have a nightmare descent in soft slush or a rapid one in perfect piste-like conditions.

Approaching the ridgeline

The reality was that we had a combination of both. The 25cm upper surface was soft spring snow. This resided on a hard and compacted base. It was also consistent all the way down. Once you had got a few turns in and got used to the snow resistance it provided a magnificent run down.

Towards the bottom the narrow gullies added interest to the run. Within 20 minutes of leaving the top we were back at the forest edge. A short walk back to the car and we were heading down for a welcoming beer. One of my favourite ski touring days out this. Recommended!

Video from the day below. I shot the helmet cam stuff with our new €40 Muvi cam. James Jackson did the static stuff with a Flip Video. James shot the static photos.

I have been using La Sportiva mountaineering boots now for the last 20 years. It comes as no surprise then that I am really looking forward to getting my hands (or rather feet) on the new range of ski touring boots that the manufacturer intends to release for next winter 2011/2012.

Some manufactuers boots just never seem to work with me. For instance, Dynafit boots always give me problems, whilst Garmont boots fit like a glove. La Sportiva (based on my affection for the mountain boots) should be an exciting product for me.

Stratos ski touring boots

The ski touring boot range starts with the carbon fibre “Stratos”. Incredibly lightweight at just over 534g (size 26). These are aimed at the competition or extreme skier and have all sorts of features designed to personalise the boot with the individual. It might take you quite a while to work out all the settings and get the fit that suits your style, both going up and down, best.

Along with the usual boot features of vibram sole, easy fastenings and micro adjustment, there are 6 positions of inclination and a superwarm thermal inner boot. They are also compatible with every sort of binding systems on the market. Sure to become a leader for the competitive skier. Oh and also ………… they look good too!

The Spitfire

Next in line comes the “Spitfire” with it’s bright yellow livery. At only 950g (size 26)  it still fits into the lightweight category in my opinion. Designed to cross over between the world of the competition skier and the experienced ski tourer.

The boot has a Fast Lock System incorporating Vertebra Technology and the new Piston Closure System. What does all this mean? Well bascially, as far as I can gather, it enables rapid closure with precise adjustment to regulate the uphill, downhill and walking modes. More comfort, micro adjustment, 4 modes of boot inclination. Must try some of these out.

The red “Sideral” is the next step down. Aimed at the recreational ski tourer of all grades. The boot still incorporates all the Fast Lock System features of the “Spitfire”. Comes in slightly heavier at 1065g (size 26)

The company has also provided a uniquely female boot too. The light blue “Starlet” at 980g, also incorporating the Fast Lock System and designed to meet the requirements of the fairer sex.

RSR skis

Finally, La Sportiva launches a new 6 ski range, headed up by the Ultralight Competition ski called the RSR and weighing in at only 695g! When also fitted out with the new RSR binding at a remarkable 123g you will find yourself running up those mountains.

For me, I think I’m sticking to the more robust and heavier (just like me?) mid range gear. I will have much more details and some test reports early next winter when we have a chance to get hold of the new range.

If you want more information or wish to buy a pair in southern Spain then Guillermo at Deportes Nomadas in Durcal, near Granada’s Sierra Nevada, will be supplying the whole range. I would make contact with him sooner rather than later as I’m sure these exiting products are set to become winners and market leaders!

We shall also be getting some models to try/buy for next winter so you can either join one of our Sierra Nevada ski touring weeks or email me for more information.

The Sideral ski boot

The Starlet ski boot

The RSR lightweight binding system

Continues Jens……………

Jens Foell lead ski guide

You might feel frustrated when you come on a ski touring holiday to the Sierra Nevada and you end up sitting out a couple of days of bad weather. Especially if everyone keeps telling you that “you should have been here last week, the weather was glorious!”‘. But then again, bad weather means fresh snow, so things can turn around. And, that’s just what happened on a Spanish Highs ski touring trip this week.

The tail end of the said bad weather sabotaged the first attempt of getting to the Poqueira hut – we were forced to abandon hopes of reaching the hut after finding the main road already covered in snow down in Bubion and strong winds making standing upright difficult. We decided to make the best of it and actually put on our skis inside Capileira village for a day trip in very tough conditions, staying well below the 2000m line.

But the next day we came back – we still couldn’t get the 4wheel drive beyond Capileira village, but blue skies and a beautiful snowscape made the trek to the Poqueira hut a memorable (if very long) one. And the steep ascent on a fairly solid snow cover from the Poqueira gorge up to the hut made our mouths water in anticipation of the next day’s ski down along the same route.

Skiing up the Rio Mulhacen

Due to our trip having been cut from 3 to 2 days we now only had one day to climb Mulhacen and return all the way to Capileira village. Quite an ambitious plan when there is that much fresh snow around. But it turned out to be a fantastic day. We skied up the Mulhacen river’s gully, very happy about our chosen mode of transport seeing how far some Spanish climbers who’d headed out before us had sunk into the fresh snow. Even the west flank was coated in beautiful fresh powder up to a hight of about 3300m.

The final climb was very icy and had to be done in crampons and ice axes for yet another beautiful moment on a beautiful summit. But the real pay back for our efforts came with the ski down. A perfect smooth layering of powder down the steep West flank followed by more of the same through the Barranco back to the hut! Now that was worth sitting out the bad weather for as well as the long, strenuous ascent. And you can be sure that the Spanish climbers watching us shooting past were well jealous. There was still more skiing to be had from the hut down to 1700m line before walking back to Capileira, the snow down here melting fast in the afternoon sunshine. Another glorious day in the Sierra Nevada!

Music: “Attack” from 30 Seconds to Mars

[simpleviewer gallery_id="17" bgcolor="ffffff" gallery_width ="100%" gallery_height ="600"]

On the Loma de San Juan ridge

We skinned up past the Virgen de las Nieves and up keeping as far away from the ski pistes as we could. At the 2750m level we dropped into the upper San Juan bowl via a side entry which avoided some laden overhanging cornices.

The valley floor was full of over half a metre of new snow, dumped from the previous night. There was no wind here and our skis glided silently across the virgin snows. As we climbed up the steepening snows to the ridge beyond the winds increased and blew spindrift across our paths.

The wind became bittery cold at this point and we wasted no time in ascending to the ridge, which we then traversed south towards Veleta. Some sections of hard water ice had to be by-passed en route.

Winds blowing spindrift. Coral de Veleta

At the small col below Los Posiciones we were treated to the sight of the Coral de Veleta beneath our feet. To the right a huge plume of driving snow billowed out from the cornices bordering the Coral. No doubt about how cornices are formed!

To the east the peaks of Alcazaba and Mulhacen looked Himalayan in stature.

Then it was onwards and upwards to join the ski pistes at Los Posiciones. We opted for a descent alongside the ski pistes and within 10 minutes were back to the car. A simple but fantastic ski tour doable most good days in winter.

[simpleviewer gallery_id="12" bgcolor="ffffff" gallery_width ="100%" gallery_height ="600"]

The Sierra Nevada makes a great ski holiday destination for all inclusive holidays 2011

Join us for ski touring tours in the Sierra Nevada from December to May inclusive each winter

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing in the forests above Capileira, Alpujarras

If you’ve never tried it….you should! Its good fun and very easy to learn. There are some great trails offering wonderful scenery. Snowshoe-ers of every level of skill and experience will find plenty of trails to meet their aspirations.

When the snows are fresh and deep, beginners can start off in the forests of the Alpujarras. In particular Puente Palo recreation area above the village of Cañar provides some interesting terrain for those new to snowshoeing.

The high forest road above Capileira leading up to car park at the Hoya del Portillo also gives access to fine, forested snowshoeing areas.

You can access high start points at the Hoya de la Mora above the ski centre which gives access to high snow bowls. Here though you are in high mountain terrain and crampons and ice axe should always be carried. More information about the snowshoeing in the Alpujarras and Sierra Nevada.

Winter Mountaineering

Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada

Hard to believe that within 2 hours drive of the Costa del Sol you can find some of the highest mountains in western Europe outside of the Alps.

First though a word of advice! Get yourself onto a short beginners mountaineering course and learn how to use ice axe and crampons for security. Then, with new found confidence, the mountains can become your playground. Newcomers can start off on the gentler slopes of the Cerro de Caballo or Cerrillo Redondo, both accessed from Lanjaron. The higher peaks, including the ascent of Mulhacen, staying at the guarded Poqueira hut, will beckon.

For the experienced mountaineer, the north faces of Mulhacen, Veleta and Alcazaba offer long routes in a quiet environment. We have a basic online winter mountaineering guide available.

Backcountry and Ski Touring

Backcountry skiing Puerta de Ragua

Leaving the crowded pistes behind you this is the ultimate way to travel in the mountains! The non-glaciated Sierra Nevada is one of Europe’s best areas to learn the basics of travelling through the high mountains on skis. It is backcountry skiing at its finest!

Equipment can be rented out from various shops within the ski village itself, so it makes sense to try a simple day tour from there for your first off piste adventure. Adhesive skins are applied to the base of your skis and, together with heel lift bindings, allow for rapid uphill progress. You should be able to ski red runs on piste in good style before venturing away from the pistes.

The northern slopes of Veleta from the Hoya de la Mora or the Loma del Dilar give a good days skiing. The ultimate is a 2 day tour to climb Mulhacen and staying overnight in the guarded Refugio Poqueira.

We use our excitable Siberian husky, Khumbu, to assist in pulling us uphill. In North America and Scandinavia this is also a separate sport called “skijoring”. We tried it out here and it works. Well almost. Unfortunately, if Khumbu sees a mountain goat all hell breaks loose and you end up being dragged sideways at great speed. Not much fun on two planks of wood! Worth a try for dog lovers though?

We run beginners and intermediate ski tours and provide guiding, gear and instruction

Cross Country Skiing

Skijoring with husky, "Khumbu"

Cross-country skiing (Esquí de Fondo in spanish) is easily mastered. It is a way of life for many people in the Alps and Scandinavia but relatively unknown in southern Spain. Yet there are prepared forest tracks available in good winters from the centre at the Puerta de la Ragua above La Calahorra, just south of Guadix. La Calahorra is a great place to stay and is a good destination for Family Holidays.

The majority of the cross-country there takes place on prepared and signed forest trails, and these are graded from blue to black, easy to difficult, the harder trails having more ascent and descent.

There is also husky dog sledding available at the centre. More information can be found on the official website at http://www.puertodelaragua.com.

Note

It is important that in all of the above activities you check out weather and avalanche conditions first. There are many sources available on the internet. One of the best resources is the ski centre itself at www.sierranevadaski.com or our consolidated mountain weather sources.

Jose anchoring the cable below the Cariguela

Even when you see the cable that stretches along the track, you should not try to pass either under or above. Skirt above the anchor of the machine as it is in constant motion due to the terrain and may tighten abruptly while you are crossing. It can move violently from side to side when looking straight down the fall line.

A map of the anchors used has been issued and is shown below.

Although at first glance this may not seem dangerous, coupled with the strength of the machine and their unpredictable behavior, it can be lethal, The ski resort itself has placed signs indicating the main anchor points to be aware of for mountaineers, such as La Hoya de la Mora, the Cauchiles and the Collado de Carihuela .

Finally note that the work of maintaining the ski pistes is performed at any time of day or night. Not necessarily during ski opening hours. I myself was invited by my Lanjaron friend, Jose some years back to accompany him on his night shift. A great experience where the anchors were used to good effect. Read more…………..

Many thanks to Pipi from Sherpa Granada for the information. Read full link in spanish.

Anchor Points for pistebashers Sierra Nevada. Click to enlarge

Off piste on the Cerro de Caballo

On December 27, 2009, the three ski mountaineers in the Valais region triggered an avalanche onto marked ski trails. A young woman was completely buried but later rescued. Two other people were slightly injured. In the rescue 130 persons, 8 dogs and three helicopters were mobilized to ensure that no one else was stuck in the snow.

In criminal cases, they face up to three years imprisonment or a fine. If convicted, they can expect to pay the costs of relief operations. The bill could vary between 50,000 and 100,000 francs. Still, all is not simple. On one hand, the “neglect” of skiers will not be so easy to prove. Certainly, there was a marked avalanche danger on the day, but the slope they chose was full of tracks and was even being used by ski instructors.

If the skiers are convicted maybe backcountry skiing above ski pistes will be prohibited if a certain danger of avalanches exists. Conversely, if the skiers are cleared then the lift companies will become responsible. No doubt they will be forced to close down whole sections of their pistes if any doubt exists.

In Spain, as of last October 2009, rescued trekkers and climbers are to be charged the cost of recovery if they are found to have acted in what is deemed to be an unreasonable or negligent way, say the spanish government. I would think this applies to backcountry ski tourers too.

Ok. All well and good, but what is to be deemed “unreasonable” or “negligent” is not clear. This is where the grey area exists. To my knowledge every mountain “accident” or “incident” normally involves some form of human error. According to the report the rescued must pay the cost of the rescue from places described as “dangerous”! How do we therefore define “dangerous ground”?

See Paying for rescue in the Sierra Nevada in cases of negligence. No doubt the debates will continue. Watch this space.

Access Locations:
(1) Hoya de la Mora (2500m). Follow the ski road from Granada to the ski town. Follow the signs left for œVeleta above the town and reach a car park at the road end. Good quick access for Veleta, Los Machos and Catujo sectors. Cariguela hut is 3hrs from here.

(2) Cortijuela (1700m). Follow the road through La Zubia towards the Cumbres Verdes. Continue on past Fuente del Hervidero to the Cortijuela. Good for access to Dilar and Cartujo sectors.

(3) Fuente Fria (Dehesa de Durcal) (2150m). Follow the rough track above Niguelas going up the gorge. Keep going until the Cortijos de Echevaria are reached. Continue traversing NE on poor track until the road end at Fuente Fria. 4WD only. Good for Caballo and Cartujo access from the west.

(4) Ventura trailhead (2100m). Follow the track up the side of El Frenazo restaurant in Lanjaron. Signs lead in 45 mins to the Ventura trailhead. 15 mins to ruined Ventura hut. 3hrs to hut at Laguna de Caballo. At times 4WD necessary.

(5) Puente Palo (1750m). Above the village of Ca±ar and accessible from either Orgiva or Lanjaron (40 mins). Rough track but 4WD not necessary. Start point for Tajos de los Machos. 2 hours to Cebollar hut from here. Elorrieta is 5 hours and 1500m ascent!

(6) Casa Forestal La Pluca (2225m). East side of Las Alegas above the western flank of the Poqueira Gorge. Access from Soportujar (30 mins) on rough track. High access to Tajos de los Machos and Elorrieta hut (4hrs).

(7) Centro Electrico Cebadilla (1500m). Main sheltered route to Poqueira Hut in winter if snow low down. Just a 15 min drive above Capileira. Hut is 3 hours from here.

(8 ) Hoya de Portillo (2150m). A rough track above Capileira leads in 25 mins to the road end at a barrier by a ranger station. 4WD not normally necessary. Track upwards through the forest leads either to the Poqueira hut (3hrs) or the south ridge of Mulhacen. 2.5hrs to the Poqueira Hut. 5 hours to the Cariguela hut.

(9) Trevelez (1600m). The town is good for access to Alcazaba via Siete Lagunas (2900m).

(10) Jerez de Marsquesado. Normally start or end point for Los Tres Miles full ridge traverse. Long unrelenting ascent is necessary from here!

(11) Verada de Estrella. Via the town of Guejar Sierra. Follow the road through the town and via a series of road tunnels either side of the Genil river. Finally you arrive at the road end when there is ample car space available. Access the N and NW sides of Mulhacen, Alcazaba, Puntal de la Caldera from here. Also the Lanchar ridge can be started from here. 2hrs to the Cueva Sectreta bivouac site.

We had been enjoying perfect neve in the early mornings and the usual softer snow in the afternoons. The current replenishment of the snow pack should help extend the ski touring and mountaineering season well into May. The north faces of the big 3 (Mulhacen, Alcazaba and Veleta) have been climbed regularly in the past two weeks. Good mountaineering conditions especially in the mornings.

Keep abreast of the Sierra Nevada and Mulhacen weather conditions at http://www.spanishhighs.co.uk/weather-sierra-nevada.php

Great ski touring on Tajos de los Machos and Las Alegas