Via Feratta in Andalucia

A series of about a dozen new Via Feratta routes have been established in the western part of Andalucia. Most are based around Rhonda but there are also some inland of Malaga. For more information see http://deandar.com/ferratas/ the page is in spanish but its easy enough to access maps and some information on the routes themselves.

Snow to low levels closes roads around Granada and the Sierra Nevada

Snow last week closed several roads around the Sierra Nevada. Even the road to the main ski resort was closed for a while!  The cross country ski resort, Puerto de la Ragua remains closed.

Time to join Sierra Nevada Mountain Guides for a day out on snowshoes!

http://sierranevadaguides.co.uk/

First ever British Ski-Mountaineering Championships

For the first time ever, 2012 will see a British Championships for ski-mountaineering  
March 31st - Chamonix 

This addictive sport combines lung-bursting climbs with heart-in-mouth off-piste descents along with airy arêtes and steep couloirs negotiated on foot (with skis on the pack).

Imagine the best ski-tour you’ve ever done covered at many times the speed complete with tour de France style spectators, large cowbells and more than enough lycra to supply the royal ballet for several seasons! It is a well established sport in the Alps and interest from British participants that has been growing year on year. Famous races such as the French Pierramenta and the Swiss Patrouille des glaciers are highlights in an increasingly busy calendar.

The inaugural British championships will take place as part of an established race – The Cols et Cimes Hauts [high cols and summits], starting from the top of the Chamonix-Planpraz telepherique.

El Chorro 'Via Ferrata' Set To Be Revamped?

According to the news on UK Climbing the "Kings Way" is set to be revamped and reequipped.

Although the money was allocated at the beginning of January, some doubt remains because of the economic crisis in Spain as to whether this will definitely go ahead. It would certainly attract more visitors to the area if it was properly equipped. A great route though. 

We first did this in May 1995 using "Andalusian Rock Climbs" by Chris Craggs who graded it Easy to E5 (depending on your head for heights) 4Km.


Book Sierra Nevada Mountain Guides for your trip on The Kings way!

The British Mountaineering Council have produced a new "skills" booklet aimed at those new to hill walking titled: "New Hill Walkers." This handy resource covers all of the basics and is well worth the read even by those with years of experience! It can be downloaded free of charge or ordered from their shop for just the cost of postage.

Topics covered include: clothing and equipment, navigation, hazards and how to avoid them, walking in winter, access and the environment and emergency procedures.

Another good and useful publication from the BMC and recently fully revised is "Safety on Mountains" though this one costs.

Sierra Nevada Mountain Guides would like to thank the BMC for their work on these publications, and will be recommending  them to our clients.

Welcome to the New Sierra Nevada Mountain Guides news section for 2012.

2011 was a good year seeing more clients achieve their ambitions in the Sierra Nevada.  We ended the year with a winter ascent of Mulhacen on 28th December.  We hope 2012 will be a good one for you!