New map of the Sierra Nevada La integral de los 3.000

admin — Wed, 25 May 2011 11:37:16 +0000

A new map to the Sierra Nevada high mountains has been produced by Editorial Piolet. It is of 1:25000 scale which is much larger than the current map we use (Penebetica 1:40000) and should prove a welcome addition to the mapping services here.

You can download a digital copy to upload to your GPS. First sight of the new map is encouraging. Tracks seem mostly marked in the correct places which is an improvement on prior efforts by others.

The new maps cover

It covers 13 specific routes which also helps when you are doing Los Tres Miles Integral, this summer, after which the map is named. Costs €9 from local shops or online at http://www.editorialpiolet.com/

ROUTES
1.- Mulhacén climb from the Alto del Chorrillo
2.- Mulhacen climb from the refugio del Poqueira
3.- El Veleta from Los Albergues
4.- El Cartujo and Tajos del Nevero from Los Albergues and the Elorrieta (refugio)
5.- El Caballo from Echevarría
6.- El Pico of Tajo de Los Machos from the Cebadilla
7.- Cerro de Los Machos from Las Posiciones
8.- El Ountal de la Caldera from the refugio de la Caldera
9.- Pico de Loma Pelá from the refugio de la Caldera
10.- La Alcazaba y el Puntal de Juntillas from Postero Alto (refugio)
11.- El Picón de Jerez, Juntillas, Cerro Pelado, Justicia from Postero Alto
12.- Pico Juego de Bolos from la Vereda de la Estrella
13.- Puntal de Vacares, Atalaya and Cerro del Mojón Alto from La Estrella

A 5 hour trek in the Tabernas desert badlands of Almeria

admin — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 09:49:20 +0000

Spectacular desert trekking in the badlands of Almeria with a group of 15 dutch students on a hot April spring day.

Sunrise over Guadix

We had set off pre-dawn from Lanjaron, but the early start was well rewarded by the sight of the sun coming up over the Sierra de Baza beyond the town of Guadix.

We met our group at the entrance to mini Hollywood. It was their first visit to Almeria and a trek round the spectacular badlands in Almeria was a priority. Even though this was April, no water (well, drinkable sources anyway) is available so you should carry sufficient for the day. Also necessary is head and sun protection as temperatures on that day in April reached nearly 30 C during the day.

Maps are virtually useless. Best aid is Google Earth as you can pick out the ramblas/valleys. Ive done it in the past by “trial and error” techniques and have developed some fine 2,3 or 5 hour treks. But its taken a few trips (years in fact!) to start to get the place organised in the head. Its like a maze. Difficult to exit the ramblas too in places.

In a narrow ravine, Tabernas desert

Where did we go? We initially headed north, then went in a long loop west and back south along the main ramblas before heading inland into narrow gullies and ravines before escaping over some small peaks back to the start point. We took in some spectacular film/movie locations along the route (the Good, Bad and Ugly, Indiana Jones and Lawrence of Arabia). It’s difficult to describe exactly the route of the trek. Best bet is for you to have a look at the video below shot by Pepe Badaje, who accompanied us on the trip and also study the photos in our album below.

Thanks to our Dutch friends who provided great company during the trek.

Some info here that may help if you are planning your own trek.

Tours near the movie sites
Desert Walking trip reports

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Trip Reports, News & Mountain Conditions for the Sierra Nevada » Uncategorized

New map of the Sierra Nevada La integral de los 3.000

A 5 hour trek in the Tabernas desert badlands of Almeria