Outside the tapas bars of Lanjaron temperatures reached 30 degrees. 2500m above we donned our duvet jackets as an icy wind tore across the white snow filled plateau. Such are the contrasts this year in southern Spain’s Sierra Nevada, a legacy of the worst winter weather in living memory.
As can be seen from the photo taken a few days ago from the Cerro de Caballo, winter still has the Sierra Nevada firmly in it’s grip. This may affect forthcoming treks such as the famous “Los Tres Miles” trek which aims to cover all the major 3000m plus peaks of the range in a 5 day push.
The bad winter just past has left the Sierra Nevada with a legacy of snow covered mountains ideal for mountaineering and backcountry skiing even though we are nearing the end of May!
Yes the bad weather has returned, just as we were getting used to the normal winter conditions of sun and snow. There is fresh snow above 2700m and the moderate falls will continue for the next few days. Good news for all Sierra Nevada mountain enthusiasts. We had been enjoying perfect neve in the early [...]
Some spanish friends are reporting dangerous avalanche prone conditions with cracks appearing in the snowpack due to the high temperatures. The Elorietta hut area and slopes below should also be avoided (see http://www.spanishhighs.co.uk/snais.html) The photo below was taken today from Trevenque and shows the Tajos de la Virgen ridge leading to The Pico del Cartujo. Some avalanche [...]
Heavy, fresh snowfall followed by high temperatures have brought a high avalanche risk to the Sierra Nevada. There are large areas of wet snow, especially below 2600m. Above that there is danger from cornice collapse, especially on the ridges of Tajos de la Virgen and the abseil descent from Los Posiciones into the Coral del Veleta.
Really interesting post by Raphael Quintero, guardian, Poqueira hut. Great photos show lastest conditions in the Sierra Nevada and the latest state of the huts
The mixed, unsettled weather has continued and brought further snow to the Sierra Nevada, however the avalanche dangers are reducing quickly due to the high temperatures in recent days, and large areas of ice occur above 2500m. More heavy snowfalls to come this coming week will make mountain excursions interesting to say the least!
The photograph below of the north west face of Alcazaba was taken yesterday in a brief lull between bad weather fronts. Hardly any rock shows through. The line of the Espolon de Alcazaba is clearly seen, highlighted by the shadows behind.
The coming week will see mixed weather. High winds and some snow showers for the next few days followed by heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions for the weekend. Snow level is down to 1800m this morning, will lower tomorrow, before rising to 2000m by the weekend.
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