All areas

Variable states. Hard ice, neve, wind blown, powder. Some charged slopes. Even lower elevations will have some snow/ice.

Hoya de la Mora – Veleta

Mid-winter Refugio de Caballo

Access Road A-395 cleared.
Snow level: first snows at approx. 1000m.
Carihuela bivouac: in good conditions.

Poqueira

Snow level: 1500m, depending slope orientation.
Recommended access to Poqueira Refuge: Central Electric Cebadilla
Hoya del Portillo – You will meet snow 3km from Capileira
Refugio Caldera from Refugio Poqueira: Rio Mulhacén
Carihuela bivouac: in good conditions.

Caballo

Access: From Niguelas to Fuentefría in bad condition.
Snow level: approx. 1500m

Genil

Snow level: approx. 1000m. Snow and ice on Vereda de Estrella

Postero Alto – Alhorí

Snow level: approx. 1000m
Difficult access to the Postero Alto Refugio. 4WD and chains essential.

Ragua

GR-337 access road and Puerto de la Ragua (2000m.) without snow
Snow level: approx 1000m (North) and 1800m (South)

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

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

First snows on the Sierra Nevada 23rd Oct

Poqueira Wednesday October 26 photos of the access, the environment and the area of ​​peaks after these first snow of the season. All this can change quickly, as more snow is expected at high levels throughout the day Thursday.

Access to the refuge both from Trevélez Capileira are clear of snow. You can continue to access on foot through the Hoya del Portillo, but keep in mind that from now on it can come windy and cold and this can give us a hard time. Therefore, the path between the acequias and access from the Cebadilla can be a good option for these coming days.

If we decide to approach the hut from by the Carihuela we must bear in mind that most of the tour is going to develop into winter conditions, and therefore we do not recommend anyone do it without crampons and ice axe in the backpack.

The snow today, Wednesday October 26, is between 2800 and 2900 meters. The thickness of snow in this area are between 5 and 40 cm, and usually we will find very icy snow all morning and crusted snow areas in higher elevations.

Under these conditions completely discourage access to the mountain area without crampons and ice axe. It is time to look in the closet and get you equipment dusted.

Pay attention to the above and enjoy the winter weather, which surely is coming.

Soon we will have at your disposal our new site www.refugiopoqueira.com , we hope that will be useful.

Greetings.
Rafael Quintero
Ansi Moslero
Poqueira Refuge
958343349
958064111
659554224

Report dated Friday March 11th.

New deep snows for the Sierras

From last night until now have accumulated between 30 and 40 cm of new snow in our environment. It snowed at about 1900 meters and then it has been raining so the snow level has risen to about 2400 elevation.

To come walking to the hut we recommend the route via the Cebadilla Power Station. You do not meet snow until the Acequia Baja. We recommend the use of snowshoes, and that will be useful for the Acequia Alta to the Refugio and almost essential from here up. Of course also ice axe and crampons.

We discourage you to come walking via the Acequia Alta due to the amount of snow that has accumulated in the last section of the Acequia.

For skis, we can drive up to the Acequia Alta below the Hoya del Portillo and thence to Puerto Molina ski up (by the firewall or in the woods, depending on the snow) and go for the Alto del Chorrillo then drop down to the refuge. These days the route will be very long due to all the new snow accumulated, so assess the possibility of coming via Cebedilla also, carrying skis halfway, approx. for about 2 hours.

Caution in the area of the high ​​peaks as many slopes have been accumulated over a foot of new snow.
Enjoy the mountains safely and choose good routes, not to mention look at the weather forecast.

Rafael Quintero.
Ansi Moslero.
Refugio Poqueira
+34 958-343349
+34 958-064111
+34 659-554224

Skiing the ridge above the Barranco de San Juan

Sources to the 112 Emergency Service in Andalucia said they received several calls from individuals around 13.30 hours on Sunday warning of the avalanche. The Guardia Civil Mountain Rescue and Intervention (Sereim) mobilized emergency helicopter and rescue dogs to help find the man. It is not clear if there might be more people under the snow.

We have been warning of the dangers after the last substantial snowfall and much care is required, although our guides reported yesterday from Mulhacen that consolidation of the snowpack on certain slopes has begun.

Hello,

The Poqueira hut end January 2011

The passage of the storm has left the snow level to about 1800m and about 50cm of new snow has accumulated. Beneath the snow there is a hard  cohesive layer after the last 3 weeks consolidation. The cold and wind in the past days has led to the formation of plaques in the snow surface, leaving dry powder snow between them and the old cohesive layers. We know then that there is a risk of avalanches.

To access the Refuge the best path is to walk from the Cebadilla Power Station. The road is now passable, with fixed bridges and leaving the car at the same plant you will arrive at the shelter in about 3 or 4 hours. It will be 1.5 hours before you reach the snow.

If you wish to come up with skis, then drive towards the Hoya del Portillo direction until you hit the snowline. Head up throught he forest and over the Alta del Chorrillo before dropping down to the forest. The route via the Acequias (Baja and Alta) is strongly discouraged due to the difficulty of walking through the powder snow accumulation found. The way from Cebadilla is the best, also on skis too if windy, as the gorge route is more sheltered.

The mountain area is heavily loaded with new snow. We found some areas of hard snow, but in many cases the hard snow slabs are formed over a layer of powder snow that sometimes bear the weight and others do not. These plates are very brittle, especially after noon. Caution, inform and analyze the snowy mantle. In most cases we will have to go through valleys and snow-laden slopes, making it difficult and it will slow your progress. We recommend the use of snowshoes. Reaching peaks we also find the areas most exposed to the wind with ice.

The Bivouac Villavientos still habitable, but with lots of snow in its interior. The area of the sleeping benches is completely free of snow. The Bivouac of the Caldera is buried and is not very clean, but with very little snow in its interior. Let’s see if we can all continue to maintain these bivouacs in the best conditions possible, closing out the door when we leave, taking our trash with us, …

To enjoy the mountains with caution, there is still great season.

Rafael Quintero.
Ansi Moslero.
Refugio Poqueira
+34 958-343349
+34 958-064111
+34 659-554224

Yesterday, 29th January 2011, between 13:00 and 13:30, there was an avalanche in one of the couloirs of the northeast face of the “Pico Buitre”, in the municipality of Abla (Almería). It carried down two mountaineers. One of them was buried five feet deep, the other was partially buried to the waist. One could break free and then followed the rope that bound them together. It took twenty minutes to dig up his friend and luckily he was still alive. The consequences: the buried guy had severe hypothermia and a severe sprain in his left knee. The two were evacuated to Almeria Airport. Thanks to two climbers in the area who selflessly gave up their mountain day to help and make phone calls.

windslab avalanche dangers on Veleta

This new layer overlays a very hard icy, consolidated layer. Avalanche conditions exist and are likely in many areas and if in any doubt you should stick to ridges and windblown slopes.

The weather will continue to bring snow showers, sometimes prolonged over the coming week accompanied at times by high wind speeds. Tomorrow snow levels will drop as low as 1000m bringing access problems. All in all not a great forecast for the festive season in the Sierras.

Mountain Weather Resources, including Mulhacen summit.

N.B Although the weather for the mountains may not be that great, we can still recommend Lanjaron over Christmas for a Last Minute Holiday, (provided the airline gods are willing of course!)

In some areas the wind has gathered some snow (also frozen) on ice. This makes for slightly easier going.

Shouldn’t really have to say this, but…………….if you are considering going up there this weekend then, it is absolutely essential crampons and ice axes (with sharp points!) are taken and you know how to use them.

Remember that in a fall the first few meters are the most important to arrest. Then the speed is reduced. Even then it can be difficult. From the car make sure that the ice axe is in one hand and not two walking poles even though the slopes around the car park are gentle.

Thanks to Nevasport and Fernando W for the photo and information.

Ice above the Hoya de la Mora, Sierra Nevada

If you are coming out to the Sierra Nevada for a Last Minute Holiday, or Trekking / Mountaineering break, then feel free to check with us first to ascertain current snow, ice and avalanche conditions.