Walking and Trekking in the Sierra Nevada. Richard Hartley
shelters created in the 1930s in the Lanjarón river valley. It originally had central heating, water, and power for lighting. It consists of two parts: a domed outside shelter and another series of galleries and tunnels dug out of the rock. However, the annual seasonal temperature extremes have taken their toll, and the roof is in particularly bad shape. Time and vandalism have done the rest. It was partially rebuilt in the 1960s but is now once again in a dismal state. It can nevertheless be useful for shelter from inclement weather.
Refugio Vivac La Carihuela (Routes 22, 23, 31, 32)
Situated at 3200m on the col (Collado de Carihuela) south of Veleta, this refuge is in a very good state with wooden bunks and a table. Sleeps 16. It’s especially useful in winter or during a summer traverse of Los Tres Miles. In early summer water may be found by dropping down the road to the east to melting snow streams dripping from rocks; in late summer an excursion to Laguna de Aguas Verdes may have to be undertaken.
Refugio Forestal La Cucaracha (Routes 25, 28)
Located at 1800m on the Cuesta del Calvario above the Río Genil, and given a makeover in 2014, this part-ruin provides adequate winter shelter and is useful for ski touring on the northern peaks. Sleeps 15–20. Access is from Güéjar Sierra and Vereda de Estrella. Water can be found at Fuente de los Lirios (10min south west down towards the river from the refuge – but remember there’s a 15–20min climb back!).
Refugio Peña Partida (Route 28)
This refuge lies at 2451m on the eastern shoulder of Loma de los Cuartos above the town of Güéjar Sierra. High snow level or a 4WD car is required to access Loma de los Cuartos to a car parking space with a chain across the track. It’s a 2hr walk from here. The refuge is in a good state of repair, with magnificent views to the northern faces of the Sierra Nevada. Wooden sleeping platforms were installed as part of a 2015 restoration. Sleeps 6; water can be found at a small natural spring 300m south east of the refuge at the upper end of Barranco de Peña Partida.
NATURAL SHELTERS
There are natural shelters and caves at:
Cueva Secreta, 1780m, lower Valdeinfiernos valley, Genil (grid reference 709 052)
Refugio ‘Natural’ Siete Lagunas, 2870m, next to Laguna Hondera where there are natural shelters and walls (grid reference 740 004). A shovel may be required in winter.
Respecting the environment
Spectacular lenticular clouds over Mulhacén (Route 21)
The Sierra Nevada gained national park status in 1999. Most of the zone to which this guide relates is within the national park boundaries. It is a very special place and it is therefore important that visitors treat it with great respect.
You do not need to obtain authorisation for climbing and mountaineering in the high mountains.
You do not need permission to use the unguarded refuges, but please take all litter away with you, leave the place in as clean a state as possible and close the door and windows so that snow does not enter.
It goes without saying that you should not:
make fires
feed the wildlife
disturb the tranquility of nature
go hunting or fishing
leave any type of discharge in water sources, rivers or lakes
allow dogs off-leash
collect plants, minerals or rocks.
Remember that the ‘borreguiles’ (high meadows) are a highly sensitive environment; shelters and walls for a bivouac should be made well outside the green lakeside locations as they can cause irreparable damage to the unique flora and fauna of these places.
The Sierra Nevada National Park authority can be contaced at Ctra. Antigua de Sierra Nevada, Km 7, 18191 Pinos Genil, tel +34 958 026300, email [email protected]
NATIONAL PARK CAMPING GUIDELINES
Camping is allowed in the national park but there are rules and restrictions. An overnight bivouac is permitted using a bivouac bag or lightweight tent. The following rules apply to small groups of three or fewer tents (max 15 persons); larger groups should apply to the national park authority (see above). You should notify the national park office of your intention to camp by post or email.
You can only set up a tent one hour before sunset and it must be taken down within one hour of sunrise.
You can only stay one night in the same place.
You can only camp above 1600m. In summer this rises to above the tree line (about 2200m) due to fire risk.
Leave no trace and take all rubbish out with you.
You must not camp:
within 500m of a guarded refuge or public vehicle track
within 1km of a tarmac road
within 50m of a mountain lake or river
on private property without written permission from the owner.
Safety and rescue
The following points are intended as reminders for staying safe in the mountains.
Check the weather forecast: consult online weather resources such as AEMET (www.aemet.es/en/) and the Sierra Nevada ski pages (www.sierranevada.es/en/), looking out for wind gust speeds at your intended altitude. Temperatures both the night before and on the day of your climb will indicate likely ground conditions (ice, soft snow etc) and also the likely wind chill factor.
Dress accordingly: take spare clothing – the extra weight will be well worth it when the clouds come in and winds increase. In winter, pack a down jacket and extra gloves, even on the best of days.
Take a fully charged mobile phone with you: this is absolutely essential in case you get into difficulty and need the rescue services. Remember that cold affects battery life/performance – consider carrying a spare battery.
Dial 112 to contact the emergency services. There is good coverage around the ski area, variable coverage on the major summits and elsewhere. In sheltered northern valleys there will be none. Remember that even if your mobile is showing zero or little signal strength, it may be possible to connect to emergency services via 112. The Delorme InReach satellite text system is useful in these mountains as a form of communication when mobile phone service doesn’t exist.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew! Your intended route should be well within your capability and experience – especially in winter above the snow line. Be prepared to change your plan as mountain conditions change; familiarise yourself with the quickest escape route and the location of refuges/shelters that could be utilised if required.
Approaching Collado de Vacares, with Alcazaba behind (Route 28)
Take a map and compass: standalone GPS devices can be very useful, but don’t rely on a smartphone GPS as battery capability will be limited in very cold temperatures. Always carry a sheet map and compass.
Take crampons and ice axe: if you’re heading above the snow line, crampons and ice axe (and the ability to use them) are essential. There are plenty of basic winter skills courses in the Sierra Nevada and the UK that will give you sufficient training and confidence to take modest steps into the mountains during winter. See www.spanishhighs.co.uk for details.