Max and the Cerro de Caballo

The high (2500m) access point at the Hoya de la Mora makes a convenient starting point for this two day trek. Unfortunately one has to spend the first hour passing through the summer debris of the ski resort pistes, but thereafter this is a wonderful high level trek. From the Hoya de la Mora car parks follow the road past the Virgen de las Nieves until a junction just before a chairlift station. Turn right here and proceed for 200m before taking a track off to the left. This leads above the ski restaurants at Borreguiles and onto the Collado de Las Yeguas (1hr).

From the Collado head SE past the Embalse de las Yeguas and enter the enchanting area known as Lagunillas de las Virgen. A series of small lakes provide water and superb scenery. From the last lagunilla follow the gently rising track below the Tajos de la Virgen ridge. The path curves round in a sweep round the bowl. Easy but care should be taken at the end of this traverse path (until well into the summer) as it crosses steep snow or ice. We took crampons for security and were very glad we did so.

Camp by Laguna Cuadrada

After this traverse you rise gently to the Elorrieta refugio, perfectly situated for widespread views of the Sierras (3hrs). Still full of surplus energy we then climbed the Tozal de Cartujo (3152m) via it’s interesting NE ridge and hence onto the superb summit of Tajos Altos (5hrs). The aim was to drop down to Laguna Cuadrada, one of the finest places to camp in the Sierras. A way through the band of intervening crags can be found after dropping some 50m in height south from the summit. At the first leveling out of the ridge look east and you will see a steep but easy scree slope running initially straight down and then curving right. This led to the overnight camp at the delightful Laguna Cuadrada.

Abundant water, sun and relaxing resting places aside the lake. A perfect situation for an overnight camp. BUT….. there are problems with Foxes as we have reported on this site many, many times. They are desperate for food and know what plastic bags and rucksacks mean ie food. We took our own fox deterrent, our dog, Max. The couple camping across the lake from us didn’t have a Max. They were pestered all night long by foxes intent on eating. We slumbered on oblivious, thanks to Max, who they evidently can smell from quite a distance. Read more about the fox attacks…..

Breakfast at the Refugio de Caballo

At first light we packed up and continued our journey. This time on an ingenious path south and some 200m below the ridge crest. Within an hour we had arrived at the Laguna de Caballo. Leaving our gear we summited the 3009m Cerro de Caballo before returning for breakfast (1hr round trip) by the refugio. Here we met my spanish friend Pepe Badaje who had arrived to help us inspect the Refugio de Caballo with a view to restoring the door and window later this summer.

Rather than take the short way south to our waiting car, we dropped down the Lavedero de la Reina, passed left of the peak of Morrón and hence down into the lush green valley of the upper Rio Lanjaron. What a place. Beautiful pools, waterfalls and streams. A Shangri-La! Then it is on down the faint track to the overflow dam and pick up the restored Acequia de Prados Colorados.

It’s a long way out especially as, due to the poor state of the track to the Ventura trailhead, we had arranged for a pickup at the ridge line below Peña Caballera. The hot afternoon sun took it’s toll but we eventually arrived at the truck and 45 minutes later was enjoying a beer at Bar Flower in Lanjarón.

This is an enjoyable two day trek with differing and beautiful scenery. Contact me if you wish more information or you can join us on one of our frequent treks across the Sierra Nevada.

The Rio Lanjaron with Cerro de Caballo behind

Full photo gallery from the trip…………..

Video from Pepe Badaje showing the Rio Lanjaron Valley…………

Valle del Río Lanjarón, S. Nevada, Julio 2011. por pepebadaje

The photo below was taken today from Trevenque and shows the Tajos de la Virgen ridge leading to The Pico del Cartujo. Some avalanche activity can be noticed below the ridge crests. Snow level is at 2400m. The snow above 2700 still has very deep cover of up to 5m in places. There will be a danger of cornice collapse.

The Tajos de la Virgen ridge and Pico Cartujo

One climber was killed in a fall in Barranco Alhori last Monday. See original “Ideal” newspaper article………….

“A climber has died after falling into a ravine on Tuesday afternoon. The events occurred in the Barranco Alhorí in Jerez de Masquesado. The deceased was accompanied by two other individuals at the time of the fall. One alerted emergency services at 17:07 hours. Apparently, the climber suffered a fall from the ice, losing his life immediately. It is not the first accident that occurs in the area this year. On January 24 two climbers had to be rescued after falling while climbing in the area. On March 1, another climber suffered a broken ankle by slipping on Alhorí icefalls.”

The alpine skiing is extensive still with over 55km skiable midweek for a great daypass price of only €20. The lifts do close at 2pm however as the snow is getting mushy lower down. The station and lifts will remain open until mid May.

The ski touring opportunities are endless with many long tours available. The photo below shows the Cartujo peak, a full day’s ski tour, accessible from the ski centre via Borreguiles and Lagunillas. The large bowl top the right is full of snow and we believe this will be skiiable well into June.

There are three options when travelling between the Cariguela and Elorietta huts in Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains:

(1) The ridge of Tajos de la Virgen. Mild scrambling (grade 1) in summer and in winter conditions we have found it to be anything between Scottish grade 1 and 3 (Alpine PD approx), depending on snow and ice conditions. At times the ridge has been very hard going in deep powder with double cornices lining the ridge, exciting stuff. Other times it has been a fantastic winter walk.

There are 2 crux’s in summer and winter. These are marked YELLOW on the photos. Travelling from the Cariguela the first is obvious when a wall confronts you. This is bypassed on the right over an area of exposed sloping slabs, before regaining the main ridgeline. After passing the isolated pinnacle of the Fraile (monk) the second obstacle is met where a rising ramp from bottom left to top right found. Easy in summer but variations may have to be found in a hard winter.

(2) From the Cariguela drop down to the Lagunillas via the Olimpica ski run (marked). Traverse round to the left and pick up a track that rises across the slope to the Elorietta hut. This is a simple option in summer but dangerous in winter as the slopes regularly avalanche after fresh snow and there have been accidents here. If in doubt use option 3 below. The RED line on the photos shows the traverse path and the BLUE crosses indicate avalanche terrain.  This is steeper than the photo suggest and the path crosses above steepening covex slopes. Use of axe and/or crampons advised if snow covered.

(3) Drop down further and contour round into the bowl NW of the Pico del Cartujo. Easy moderate slopes with no avalanche danger follow up to the W ridge of the Cartujo wich then can be easily followed to the top. A short ridge with an exposed step lead to easier ground and the Elorietta. Much longer but a safer in winter.

Ski touring – still poor. Best cover still Caballo to Catujo area but only 500m decent.
Snowshoeing – OK in high open bowls on the north side.
Mountaineering – Stay at home in the tapas bars until at least Monday! Then it should be excellent.