Trekking in the quiet and remote north eastern Sierra Nevada

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 07:02:06 +0000

Ian Williams of Birdwatch Alpujarras went with Spanish Highs guide, Mike Elston, on a 2 day trek in the high and remote north eastern Sierra Nevada. The object was to see new areas and maybe spot eagles, vultures etc. In fact all he returned with was the solitary sighhting of a lone Kestrel and blistered feet!

Starting from the Puerta de la Ragua they headed west up Morron Sanjuanero (2614m) and then to onto Morron del Mediodia (2756m). Just past the puerto del lobo they reached the summit of San Juan (2788m). From there the undulating ridge led on to the Penon del Puerto (2758m). A high point was reached at Cerro del Gallo (2913m). Near the Puerto de Jerez at 2873m they found a stream and made camp for the night. A long 8hr walking day.

Next day running out of time they returned to the Puerta de la Ragua.

This area is certainly not as dramatic as the main Sierra Nevada mountain chain further south west but does give varied and interesting trekking with far and distant vistas. Unless you have 2 cars or a friendly driver then horseshoe walking is difficult and you must return the same way. The advantage is that you will have solitary walking. Only 1 other person was encountered in the 2 days trekking.

Access is best via the Puerta de la Ragua or via the Postero Alto hut and Jerez de Marquesado.

A short 3 minute video showing the mountain conditions and type of walking is shown below.

2 days trekking in the wild northern Sierra Nevada
by spanishhighs

Technorati Tags: jerez, kestrel, ragua

Ski Mountaineering on the Picon de Jerez

admin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:55:02 +0000

This is a route we have done before but this year conditions are excellent. You can park at the Postero Alto Refugio (1888m), accessible from Guadix and Jerez del Marquesado via rough forest roads. A short walk into the Arroyo del Alhori and the ascent begins. There are some steep sections but the way is generally straightforward. At the moment there is good snow cover above 2000m.

The peak of Picon de Jerez (3090m) is a great viewpoint southwards towards Mulhacen, Alcazaba and the rest of the main Sierra Nevada peaks. Return can be made down the Arroyo just ascended, but a few alternatives exist especially south to the Puntal de Juntillas and thence down via the Piedra de Ladrones and northwards back to the refuge and start point. An excellent day’s ski touring!

A good video showing the route via the Arroya de Alhori can be viewed below

Technorati Tags: Add new tag, jerez, picon, postero alto

Sierra Nevada News, Reports and Mountain Conditions » jerez

Trekking in the quiet and remote north eastern Sierra Nevada

Ski Mountaineering on the Picon de Jerez