Probably one for Paddy this but does anyone know if the altavista hostel on Mt Teide is open at the moment as I've read that it is closed in winter.I'm heading out there again this weekend and weather permitting hope to climb it again but this time without permit and by staying in the refuge.
You could phone the office and see what they say about the refuge... 922 922 371. The refuge tends to close when there's a lot of snow on El Teide.
Alternatively, try phoning the refuge direct and see if they answer… 922 010 440. If you’re travelling at short notice you could make a booking by giving your name and nationality. Write down your booking number and quote it when you reach the refuge.
Details are all in The Book, where I give ascents of El Teide from four widely-spaced starting points, and of course you can chop and change between them all if you want to come down by a different route used for the climb.
Although you don’t want a permit this time, if you change your mind, you can do it all online at… www.reservasparquesnacionales.es and click on ‘Teide’.
Thanks Paddy, I intended calling the office anyway as some info says it is closed in winter, others only when there is snow etc. My plans are flexible so I'm not tied to any days.
The refuge is definitely not closed in winter as a matter of routine, because that's the only time I've ever used it. I've been told it only closes after snowfall, though I've never been able to check that, because twice when I've wanted to go up in the snow, they've closed the approach roads to the national park anyway. The last time I was up there, I turned up long after it got dark, having already climbed the mountain via a very long route, and got a bed for the night without even booking in advance. (Go midweek to avoid the weekend crowds.) The guy seemed very cool about the whole thing, but went absolutely ballistic when I asked if I could cook using my little meths stove. For the record, they have a stove there, and the water supply is OK if boiled, but if queasy about using it, then take your own supplies. There's a small drinks vending machine, toilets and washbasins, bunk beds, and not much else. It's dark for a long time, but if you've set your heart on reaching the summit by sunrise, then you'll be out of the refuge about 5 o'clock, torch at the ready, shuffling and stumbling along with the other folks intent on doing the same. Be warned that it's pretty cold up there before sunrise, but you can warm up by standing by a steam vent very close to the top.
Thanks for the extra info. I intend going mid week and I'm not at all queasy about water and in that location it could only have a strong taste of volcanic rock.
I've read they supply blankets. Is that true? That way I can take a sleeping bag liner and keep the weight down and more space for grub. Looking forward to the sunrise and then the hike down.
Yes... they have bedding, but a sleeping bag is a pretty good addition to your kit. A sleeping bag liner works fine, though, if you want to keep everything light. It's warm enough inside the dorms, but some people actually get dressed in big puffy jackets to go to bed!
I'll probably end up taking it because I've just had a look at the weather forecast and of course it will get colder up there and a little snow is forecast on the top just as I arrive. Luckily I have 9 days with which to be flexible so I may as well chuck in a pair of light crampons too for the early morning climb.
Hope you are enjoying yourself Phil .I shall miss your hospitality on my Pyrenees trip this year.Let me know where you end up . Give my regards to Mary
Thanks Owen. Mary says hello. We're flying out this afternoon. We won't be far from the Pyrenees as we intend staying in the Basque country so maybe this year when you come over for your trip I might join up with you for a couple of days.
I'm planning a trip to Teide in a few days and hope it is okay that I ask a few questions in this topic.
First, a question to people who have been there recently, will I need crampons for the last part, between Altavista Refuge and Pico del Teide?
Also I have made a reservation for the refuge and got a booking number, but then I read that it was unmanned in the winter and couldn't figure out where i should pay the 20 euro. But if there is still staff at the refuge in the winter, as Paddy says, then the question is solved.
If you have made a booking and been given a booking reference number, then assume that the refuge is manned and open. If there's a sudden dump of snow and the refuge closes, let's hope that national park wardens tell you so before you climb all the way up there. (When snow falls, the road is closed anyway, so no buses or cars are allowed into the national park. When the road re-opens, all the emergency services tend to be up there just in case of problems.) If the refuge is open and manned, then you pay your €20 on arrival. If the refuge is unmanned, then only a very basic shelter is left open, free of charge, and it's entirely up to you if you use it. If the refuge is closed, then you probably need ice axe and crampons for the climb.
Just got back and really enjoyed the sunrise on Teide. Paddy's information is as usual spot and as he said you don't have to go down the same way as you go up, I descended down to Pico Viejo and then down towards the Parador. It's not the best if you've dodgy knees but the views are spectacular.
The refuge was manned (note he doesn't speak much english) and having spoken to a couple of local boys, apparently its been a while since there was a lot of snow on the top and it has been a warmer winter than normal as they had the warm winds (kalima) blowing over from the sahara.
One little warning though, it will be cold on top (minus 5 + wind chill when I was there), but be careful sitting on a warm rock at the top. I sat down for a while and the backside of my trousers melted.
Glad to hear it all worked out, and that you had the weather on your side. Out of my last five attempts at climbing El Teide, I haven't even been able to get into the national park on two occasions because of excessive snowfall. Serves me right for only going in winter!
It certainly does get cold on top, and that little steam vent near the summit isn't just hot... but the vapours from it are mildly acidic too. You might have spotted how the chain beside the path has been corroded where it spans the vent, and the metal links are noticeably thinner at that point.
Having come down to Pico Viejo and the Parador, I guess you're glad you didn't go up that way! I've only seen a handful of walkers on those approaches, compared with the steady stream that climbs up the other side of the mountain... and in any case... a lot of walkers also make use of the cablecar for the ascent, descent, or both.
I've been emailed by someone who is contemplating bivvying on or very near the summit, and I'll be interested to hear how that works out!
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