The recent sad news of the death of three British walkers in Spain's Sierra Nevada Mountains once again reminds us of the challenges, and potential dangers of mountain exploration.
We have a mountain house on the lower slopes of the most westerly 3,000 metre peak of the range. It has brilliant views of the sea and surrounding hills, and is pleasantly cool in summer. However we have experienced the rapid changes in weather, which comes with the mountains. One of our first trips to the Sierra Nevada was soon after we had bought the house, when we were told that there was rarely any snow, and it never lasted enough to lie. We arrived in warm winter sunshine, but during the night a storm arrived, and to our amazement the next morning, there was nearly a foot of snow blocking our front door - not what we had expected of southern Spain!
One of our early trips to Mulhacen (mainland Spain's highest mountain at 3479m) was taken in March, when at lower levels spring was arriving, beautiful pink blossom adorned many of the trees, and pleasant easy walking could be enjoyed in the lower valleys of the beautiful Alpujarra. We set off to go to the Poqueira refuge, which nestles beneath the summit, is well equipped and open all year. The higher slopes were bathed in sunshine, and beckoned us to climb what at a distance appeared to be an easy ridge, however there was still significant snow above 2,000 metres. We were warned, by the warden of the refuge, that there was a serious risk of avalanche on the upper slopes of the mountains. We had not brought ice axes or crampons, so reluctantly decided not to risk climbing the ridge above the hut, despite it's great appeal - that would have to wait for another occasion. Instead we had a pleasant walk back along an acequia, or watercourse which are numerous in the Alpujarra, and offer some great walking opportunities.
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May and June is a great time for walking in the mountains. Much of the snow has usually gone, and Alpine flowers are just beginning to break through the once frozen ground. There is something very special about sitting on warm rock, with only Ibex for company, watching birds such as Bee Eater or Ring Ouzal - both rare in the UK.
Mountain House Holidays run walking, climbing and activity holidays in Spain's Sierra Nevada Mountains and in the Peak District. For more information, visit their website.
