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

The following article was originally posted by David on his interesting site at http://spreadys.wordpress.com/. Thanks to him for allowing us to reproduce below. The article gives important hints and information to consider when planning a winter trip here. Also links to resources used. You will also find a great video of the trip below

“Well then, where do I start?

The big challenge in organizing this year’s winter expedition was finding somewhere that lived up to the evolved aspirations of people joining one of our adventures. I have always tried to find somewhere new, somewhere interesting and perhaps, a little off the beaten track. This would be my 8^th trip over 9 years and for a multitude of reasons, it couldn’t be a biggy! That meant that Europe had to contain our target. It was to some surprise then, that during my hours of web research, I learnt that the highest mountain in Spain was NOT in the Pyrenees, but hidden away down south in the Sierra Nevada.

Mulhacen, at 3483m, and covered in snow during the winter was to become a real gem.

Finding information on routes, conditions and gear was initially a little tricky. There really is not a lot in English for the area but in the main, the guys down at Spanish Highs have documented all of their built up knowledge and collected all the best material. I also looked in the usual places for some general info. All links below:

www.spanishhighs.co.uk

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulhac%C3%A9n

http://www.summitpost.org/mulhac-n/617430

http://vimeo.com/4848897

http://www.fedamon.com/refugios/poqueira/poqueira.htm

http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mulhacen/forecasts/3482

So, after announcing the trip for March 2011 and getting a team of 6, it was time to figure out the logistics.

Easyjet was used to get us there – Liverpool to Malaga

www.easyjet.com

I wanted 2 hire cars to give us a bit of flexibility if people came down from the mountains early for any reason. After a bit of browsing, Malagacar came up with a pretty good deal.

www.malagacar.com

We needed somewhere to stay on the first night and also upon our return to the foothills. It was here that Richard at Spanish highs sorted us out with a hotel in Lanjaron. The Hotel Central turned out to be ideal.

Our Morocco trip to Toubkal in 2009 taught me that we always needed a contingency plan for a delayed walk out. For this purpose I also booked a night in Malaga as a just in case. It would also serve as a nice last evening in Spain.

Although, 30mins walk from the old town, the Hotel Las Vegas was cheap and fit for purpose. (Although all reviews on miserable staff can be confirmed!)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187438-d236948-Reviews-Las_Vegas_Hotel-Malaga_Costa_del_Sol_Andalusia.html

The final Itinerary turned out to be:

Tuesday – Fly to Malaga, pick up hire cars and drive to Lanjaron. Night in hotel

Wednesday – Drive to Capiliera and then walk into Mountains. Night at Poqueira Refuge.

Thursday – Mountain day

Friday – Mountain day

Saturday – Mountain day

Sunday – Mountain day

Monday – Walk out and drive back to Lanjaron. Night in hotel.

Tuesday – Drive to Malaga, night in hotel.

Wednesday – Relax and then evening flight home to UK.

As can be seen from some of the links mentioned earlier, there is huge scope for routes of all kinds and also some overnighting in higher mountain shelters. I booked for 5 nights at the Poqueira but planned for 2 nights up in the mountains. For this reason we decided to take full climbing and bivvy gear. Easyjet luggage allowances are a little tight but each pair had a sports bag, extra to the one piece of hold luggage each. This meant the hold luggage was pretty light, being just filled with the usual winter clothing, and the heavy sports bags (which can go up to 32kg) were filled with all the climbing and bivvy gear.

Gear Notes:

Each pair took a lightweight alpine rope and half a rack of gear containing a selection of nuts, 4 x ice screws of various lengths, an ice hook, a warthog and a few misc. items.

For bivvying –Each pair had lightweight stove, kettle etc…Gas was purchased through Richard at Spanish Highs.

Each rucksack, for our walk up to the Poqueira, was approx 20kg.

Hire Cars.

Malagacar turned out to be just outside the airport but they pick you up and drive the 2 minutes round the corner in a minibus. We had a Renault Kangoo and a Seat Ibiza. 3 in each car and the Renault fitted 4 peoples gear while the Ibiza fitted 2.

They don’t advertise this (because it’s a con!)but they fill the car up to half a tank and then charge you for that amount upon collecting the cars – its more than what you would pay at the forecourt! You can then bring the car back empty. For all our trips we needed to put in another half a thankful per car.

Malaga to Lanjaron.

One we had picked the cars up, it was time for a spot of lunch and a few bits from a supermarket.

Near to the airport there are loads of places and also a Decathlon superstore for those needing extra gear!

We stopped off at the Plaza Mayor, which has a supermarket and a restaurant mall area.

The drive to Lanjaron took around 1h 45mins. I did start to get a little worried at one point as you stay near to the coast for most of the way and wondered when we would start to see some mountains. This highlights the fact that it was cloudy upon our arrival and the weather did not look good.

Lanjaron is a quiet little town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and appears to be less touristy than some of the others higher up. Once we had located the hotel and parked the cars up in the secure underground car park, it was time to sort kit and head off to a local bar to meet Richard from Spanish Highs and discuss weather, routes and options for the days ahead. I also rang the hut to confirm our arrival and get current ground conditions for the walk in.

What can I say about Bar Flower in Lanjaron, other than that we could have quite happily stayed in there for a very long time!!! (and on our return after being up the Mountain – we did!)

Richard and Kiersten gave us great info on what to expect up in the mountains and also about where to park up prior to the walk in.

The walk up The Poqueira Gorge

The drive from Lanjaron to Capileira is unrelenting and all passengers felt ill. It only looks a short distance on the map but takes nearly an hour. After Capileira, there are two sharp bends. At the second one, a smaller road (I say the  word ‘road’, but mean track!) leads up to the Poqueira Electrical station. This is at a height of 1550m and we managed to park up no problems. If it is busy you just have to park further back along the road.

The weather was typical Scottish winter….but we were in Southern Spain! It was pissing it down with the freezing level at around 2100m and the hut at 2500m.

The Gorge though turned out to be a fantastic place – shame I had my head down for most of it.

Four and a half hours later we arrived at the hut. Damp, but nothing too dramatic.

Poqueira Refuge

A great hut which can sleep over 80 people. Although anymore than 30 and it must be a nightmare. We were lucky (or not) but for most of our time there it was just us…..because no one was stupid enough to come up probably!

You will need to present your passport upon arrival and you will be allocated a bed. Our group was all in a room for 8 and you will be given a key for a locker. If it’s busy – do not leave stuff around – the rooms are not locked and I nearly left a pair of trekking trousers lighter after another resident took a liking to them!

Its cold (if you are there in the winter). A good sleeping bag and a good jacket (down or Primaloft). There is no hot water and the bathroom is only just above freezing point – prepare to smell for a few days!

The food is great. Breakfasts are plentiful with a selection of bread, toast, cakes, biscuits, jam, honey, spreads etc…Evening meals start with soup, then a pasta dish. Followed by a meat and vegetable dish, then a dessert!

Mountain Day 1

The guardians at the hut know the weather better than anyone. When the posted forecast read that snow would be falling PM that day and our guardian agreed, we settled on having 4 hours of clear air before the front moved in. The guardians actually post Internet forecasts every evening. They are long range (5 day) predictions but we soon learnt that it’s only the first 24hrs that’s reliable. The weather changes so quickly and dramatically that it’s nigh on impossible to forecast ahead in the mountains.

The plan was to get up high and learn the area, what the snow conditions were like, and generally become comfortable with our unknown surroundings. The 24hrs of fresh snow was our main concern and for this reason we chose a small ridge behind and to the left of the hut. The steep snow slop directly behind was loaded with fresh powder and needed time to settle before it was deemed safe.

Picking a line up, through the rocks and avoiding waist deep snow was a laborious task but as the ridge slowly bent round to the right, we reached a high point of approx. 3000m.

The little trip upwards had given us a lot of visual confidence in the area and it was exactly for this reason that a quick descent was then chosen.

The weather had been brewing up all morning but in a matter of minutes the valley was engulfed in cloud. It was moving up like a tidal wave and if we had been caught out, finding our way back to the hut may have been an epic. A quick bearing was taken as the hut disappeared in the cloud. Within seconds we were in a white out but luckily only 200m from safety.

Note: Due to the amount of snow, it has been acknowledged that a lot of prominent rock features have been transformed. It is definitely NOT the place to start learning about micro navigation or having to dig an emergency snow hole (we did carry a shovel everywhere). I would not recommend venturing out unless you know the area very well. On our descent, we ended up in true whiteout. No visual reference at all, just a blinding white.

Mountain Day 2

Storm – all day! Wind, Snow, Whiteout…….

The term ‘death on a stick’ was mentioned once or twice and, when told we were staying in the hut, the guardian’s reply was, “probably a good idea”.

Take a book with you to the hut! – Just in case.

Mountain Day 3

We have learnt over the years that timing and planning go hand in hand. Although our plans had involved climbing routes, in particular the North Face of Mulhacen, we now had to scrap that and time our summit for a clear sky.

The forecasts had been analyzed and we felt our best chance would be an early morning ascent after a night in the high Caldera Hut. Due to ground conditions, we had no idea on how long it would take us to get up the valley to Caldera, as we did not have snowshoes or skis. Adding to the problem was that, upon waking, it was still snowing! The Sierra Nevada weather surprised us once again though and, within half an hour, the clouds broke up and the sun came out.

Approx. 20 Spanish climbers left in snowshoes and luckily they had chosen to go via the Caldera hut. We could hang back, let them break trail and compact the snow a little, before walking up behind them.

The slow walk up to the Caldera hut, at 3100m, was absolutely glorious. Great weather and stunning surroundings. It was just a shame that I had to preserve camera power for summit video – I could have filmed the whole thing. Due to the snow depth we had given ourselves 4 hours to reach the hut but ended up doing it in under 3! In good conditions of hard neve, it could probably be done in 2.

Just the top of the hut was visible, meaning that there must have been a good 10ft of snow! The door to the hut is a barn door, split style, and this had been partly dug out already. We dug out all the new fresh snow and made our way inside. The snow had filled the door opening, which required snow steps being cut inside the hut! The hut is pretty good with wooded bunks at the end and a big table to one side. Once the stoves were on the go and our kit sorted it was time to air some of our clothes and watch the Spanish team ascend the west ridge.

Our afternoon in the sun was short lived as the clouds moved in again and shrouded the entire area. It was also worrying that the wind had increased. Most of the Spanish teams who had raced up the mountain were unlucky and had to make do with a cloudy summit and no view.

I climbed into my warm sleeping bag as the light was fading and hoped that the forecast would be correct and we would wake to a cloudless sky.

Notes: It was around -5 in the hut that night but the cold wooden bunks make it feel worse. A good sleeping mat and bag is essential. My sleeping mat was only ¾ length and as a result I could feel the cold at my feet. Placing my jacket under the bag solved that!

Water will freeze in the hut overnight – keep it wrapped up inside your rucksack and it should stay fluid! The water in my kettle froze during the night.

Keep your camera battery in your sleeping bag overnight.

Spanish Chorizo is easy to chop up and throw into dehydrated meals. It adds a load more calories as well as flavour.

Mountain Day 4

Had we timed it right? Should we have gone up yesterday afternoon like the Spanish teams. Had we blown it and missed our chance. I spent the entire night checking the barometric trend on my watch. At around 11pm it started to rise and rise. The icon changed from cloud to sun…..but then at 3am it started to drop. I couldn’t sleep and kept wondering what was happening outside. At 5am, Phil left the warmth of his sleeping bag and ventured outside to answer the early morning call of nature. “Not a cloud in the sky” he stated, climbing back into the hut. That was what we wanted.

As conditions were favorable we planned to go up the Western ridge and then down the South. For that reason we couldn’t leave anything behind to be picked up later. After a quick hot breakfast (Dehydrated Berries in Custard – lovely!), we packed up and went out into the early morning air. Bitterly cold, but utterly fantastic.

The route up sticks on the steep western flank above the North face. It gets steeper as you get higher and due to the snow conditions we slowly zigzagged upwards. Unbelievably, we did not feel the need for crampons. The snow was just soft enough to easily place steps. (Looking back, crampons may have been a good idea. A slide down that face would hurt!)

I crested the main summit ridge and the sun hit my face. The only problem though was that I was also now in the full force of the wind. My god was it cold. It wasn’t a massively strong wind but I can’t remember being in a colder one!

With a full 360 degree panorama we reached the summit and reveled in the fact that we had timed it right (for once!)

It wasn’t a place to hang around, although I did find time to take a good look down the North Face. I will return to do that route, it looks fantastic.

The exposed broad ridgeline that connects the main to the south summit had been stripped of any soft snow by the fierce wind. This enabled a quick crossing in order to get out of the icy blast. We dropped down the South ridge and, as soon as we could see the Poqueira Hut way below us, we left the main ridge and dropped directly down the steep slopes. These were the slopes we had stayed clear of 2 days before. This time though they were solid, thanks to the sun of the previous afternoon and the freezing cold night. We arrived back at the hut shortly before 10am. Having left the Caldera just before 7am meant that we had dropped nearly 1000m in less than an hour! If I had had skis on….well, it would have been fast!

Within an hour of being back at the hut, the clouds rolled in again, and stayed in all afternoon. The few hours we were out and the brief spell we were on the top was the only clear break in the weather all week.

The walk out

To give you an idea on hut costs. It worked out to be 170 Euros each.

Four nights half board, wine with meals and a large amount of bottled water, tea, coffee and Hot Chocolate. Considering the location, that’s not bad.

To get current costs, the link to the hut site is at the top with all the info pages.

We walked out of the cloud after dropping a few hundred metres and the clear weather enabled us to really appreciate to wonderful Poqueira Gorge. As we arrived back at the car, the clouds had darkened and rain began to fall….just for a change!

After a lunch in a café in Capiliera and enduring the hour-long road trip back to Lanjaron our arrival back at the Hotel meant a well-earned hot shower.

By 3pm we headed off out for a beer and tapas, ending up again in Bar Flower with Richard, Kiersten and James. A brilliant night!

Now that I know the times, distances etc, for future trips I will not have a last night in Malaga. The last night will be in Lanjaron.

Spare day

As we had a spare day, we drove out of Lanjaron and into Granada. A very nice City with a lot of history and overlooked by the huge Palace of Alhambra. We spent a good few hours wandering the centre and it’s well worth a visit if you have the time.

After a 2-hour drive we arrived at the hotel in Malaga. The sun had come out for our arrival by the sea and it was a lovely 30minute walk along the coast into the old town.

Most of Malaga appears to be a concrete mess of cheap apartments and hotels but the old town was a pleasant surprise.  Another great evening spent eating, drinking and listening to the street musicians. We cheated and got a taxi back to the hotel. Four Euros!

Prior to our evening flight we spent the last day up in hills above Malaga, away from the hustle and bustle. Sitting in the sun, we chatted about the trip and all agreed that we have to return. A return trip will be 7 days instead of 8 and will probably have two possible objectives:

1. Good snow conditions – North face of Mulhacen and gully routes up to ridges.
2. Bad snow conditions – 3 day traverse of high peaks.

My Last thought…..

What makes a successful trip? I believe it’s having the correct mix of place, people and experience. We had it all, and the people we met made it all the more memorable.

Until the next time,

Spready”

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

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

First, from Capileira you can reach the “Acequia Alta” by car, just before the Hoya del Portillo. From there, the best option is the path alongside the Acequia Alta, throughout which, you will find little snow. There are a few small patches of ice that can give a scare unless you put on crampons.

The Poqueira hut (bottom right) sat on a shelf 1000m below Mulhacen

If you use skis, where you arrived by car, it is better not to go for the Acequia Alta, but take the fire break that leads to Puerto Molina and from there, continue down the hill to the Alto del Chorrillo. Take this 90 º to the northwest (toward the Veleta), to arrive at the Poqueira hut.

We do not recommend the course of the summer track between the Chorrillo Alto and La Caldera, as that will require you to make the crossing of the Paso de los Franceses, with the accompanying danger that entails as hard ice has formed. Best route for La Caldera goes through the Poqueira Refugio area and enters the Rio Mulhacen valley, which conveniently takes you to the bivouac of the Caldera.

We continue to advise against the path of the Central Eléctrica de la Cebadilla as the National Park has not even had time to finish repairing the trail and there have problems crossing rivers and streams.

In general attention from the 2,400m there is hard snow and ice.

If you do use the bivouac huts please make sure the door is always kept closed. For our part we will continue cleaning them out of snow whenever we can.

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

Notes:
The Poqueira hut is a friendly, welcoming hut with good food and drink. A fine place to spend a few nights in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. It’s good value too, so makes a fine Cheap Holiday destination for those mountaineers, ski tourers and trekkers on a budget. Booking in advance is essential (tel numbers above).

Hard ice on the way up Veleta

I remember one trip to the Poqueira hut that took a tough 8 hours, snowshoeing all the way ( normally 4hrs). We didn’t get a party up Mulhacen until late February and at times we were the only people making tracks up the snow filled Rio Mulhacen valley. In many ways a great snow year, but also disappointing not to be able to make more of it. The backcountry skiing of course was exceptional once we could access the mountains.

Generally speaking, what is a good year for ski mountaineering and touring becomes a poor year for mountaineering and visa versa. The best winter climbing seasons we have had have been in spartan snow years with depths of less than 1m. In these years all the snow is nicely consolidated into neve and ice and remains in good state throughout the winter. Skies are usually clear, sunny and bright.

The local camposinos here in Lanjarón are predicting another wet winter. Vamos a ver. Early season snow is promising and the ski centre has a good base. Temperatures are now likely to remain below freezing above 2500m. Our main website now has a snow level/freezing level predictor updated every 5 minutes should you wish to see for yourself.

Winter skills Mountaineering Courses – we have winter skills and alpine course availability December 17th to 23rd, but are fully booked over Christmas and New Year. January has spaces available most weeks should you wish to enjoy the delights of the winter sierras. The Sierra Nevada makes a good alternative winter mountaineering venue to the “norms” as well as being a comparatively Cheap Holiday destination.

The group consisted of three people trapped around noon on Saturday in a rugged and inaccessible ravine.

The three mountaineers had moved up a ravine to escape rising waters in the river. One fell, dislocating a shoulder, so he could not follow. They lost communication with each other. Even with a dislocated shoulder, the climber asked for help which launched the Civil Guard operation to locate the other two climbers.

The rescue had to be stopped on Saturday after nightfall because of the rugged terrain and bad weather. This morning, the helicopter located the two hikers, who were at different heights in the ravine, coming to their rescue.

The hut guardians, Rafael and Ansi, are most helpful and friendly and we recommend you to spend some time there. The hut is very useful for ascents of Mulhacen and other peaks on the south side of the Sierras. Also useful during a traverse of the 3000m peaks (Los Tres Miles) as a place to recuperate and resupply.

It is advisable to book in advance if you wish to stay at the hut. The contact details are as follows:
Guardians: Rafael Quintero y Ansi Mosiero
Telephone: +34 958 34 33 49
Mobile: +34 659 55 42 24
Email: refugiopoqueira@hotmail.com

Access Routes

From Capileira (Central Electrico):
Follow the left hand side of the Poqueira Gorge upwards gaining height gradually until the head of the gorge is reached after 2 hours. Here climb steeply up to Cortijo Thomas. Climb up the spur behind the cortijo until at about 2400m a traverse leftwards reaches the hut. Total time about 4 hours. This is normally the best approach in winter.

From Hoya del Portillo:
At the road end by the ranger station you can take the well marked path up through the forest. Above the forest a sign points the way traversing left along the hillside before a slight descent to the hut. Total time is 2.5 hours.

Alta de Chorillo and the Morador de Trevelez:
Take the same path from the Hoya de Portillo but on leaving the upper edge of the forest keep going up until the road is rejoined. Follow this until the Mirador de Trevelez is reached in 2 hours. 500m further on northwards take the left track which leads gently downhill to the hut. Total time 3 hours. We find this route a bit boring and it is normally better reserved for a speedy descent.

WEATHER

Poqueira Hut 3 day weather forecast

We went up to the Poqueira Hut yesterday but because of the recent heavy snowfalls of last week, access is difficult along this route.

Firstly, we had to park the car near the horse trekking stables of Dallas Love. The road from here on to the Cebedilla is blocked by snow, landfalls etc. It seems a long haul to the station but I can assure you is even longer coming back!

The best start point would in fact be the village of Capileira itself. Take one of the paths heading N out of the village and they join up with the Cebadilla blocked road half way along. The whole of the Poqueira Gorge above here has deep snow (over 1.5m in places) that has been blown in by the strong winds. Going is very, very tough!

Best to make an early start because then there is more chance of finding hard snow or ice rather than deep uncolsolidated powder. Be prepared though for a difficult and frustrating time.

It took us 5.5 hours to get from the car at the stables to Cortijo Tomas and a further 1.5 hours to reach the hut. The return was a nightmare as the hot sun has made the snow a squelshy mush. We ended up back at the cars well after nightfall a round trip of some 12 hours.

Above the hut there is still a considerable avalanche risk but the main route up Mulhacen is hard and icy until the afternoons.The west flank of the mountain is sheet snow/ice and makes for a quick ascent. Best to return to the hut via the south ridge.

To the best of our knowledge the following have reciprocal rights for reduced Poqueira Refugio hut and meal fees:
Federacion Andaluza de Montanismo
Austrian Alpine Club
Deutscher Alpenverein
Club Alpin Francais
Italian Alpine Club
Club Alpin Swiss

The affiliations normally run from January to December each year and are very good value. Rather surprisingly, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) does not have these reciprocal rights with Andalucian huts.

By showing your affiliated card the price of a nights stay at the Poqueira hut drops from about 11 to 5 euros and a similar drop is experienced in meal costs.

If only climbing or trekking in Andalucia I would recommend the Federacion Andaluza de Montanismo. As we climb throughout the world we use the Austrian Alpine Club.

Prices 2008

There are various pricing structures available. These are based on 2008 prices and are in euros at todays date.

Federacion Andaluza de Montanismo €57 per year including insurance, rescue and repatriation cover.
Austrian Alpine Club – €42 per year including insurance, rescue and repatriation cover.
The Rest – Similar in price to the AAC (above)