Mountain Skills Course 2013

Mountain Skills Course

Sierra Nevada Guides are running their 2013 Mountain Skills Course from 28^th September based near Lanjaron in Spain’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. Although a fairly active and intense week cramming a lot in,  we try to ensure that your course is a holiday too ensuring you have time to relax, enjoy good food, company and the occasional beer or wine!

Group briefing at 3200m

The course will be based at a remote mountain farm near Lanjaron though will spend 2 nights at the Poqueira Refuge.

Dates:

Saturday 28^th September to Saturday 5^th October, 2013.

Cost:

£645 or 740 Euro’s

This is a full board course with bunk room accommodation based at a mountain farmhouse and mountain refuge. The price includes a pick up either from Malaga Airport or from Lanjaron.

Our normal 7 night training programme usually runs as follows though we will have to make adjustments according to the group and weather conditions:

Day 1           

Arrive in Lanjaron, settle in, etc.

Evening discussion covering mountain safety and equipment.

Day 2           

Learning map reading and navigation skills for the high mountains

including using a compass, transferring U.K. skills to the bigger mountains.

Involves time in the high mountains looking at route choice off path.

A possible ascent of Caballo 3011m.

Evening session covering mountain weather.

Day 3

Learn to use a GPS.

Ascend to the Poqueira Refuge (2500m) using the GPS.

Spend night in Refuge.

Day 4

Rock Scrambling at altitude, Navigation, Route Choice and 

Mountain Leader Ropework.

2^nd night at the Poqueira Refuge.

Day 5

An ascent of Mulhacen 3482m, highest mountain in mainland Spain.

Scrambling at altitude on the Tajos de la Virgin

Day 6

Rock Climbing, Abseiling and Learning the Ropes!

Day 7

Putting it into practice! 

An acsent of Alcazaba 3371m the 3rd highest

and most remote of the big 3 in the Sierra

Nevada.

Day 8

Depart for home.

Sierra Nevada Guides are the only British qualified  International Mountain Leaders and climbing instructors based in the Sierra Nevada. Details of our qualifications are listed on the website.

Scrambling in The Sierra Nevada

Scrambles in The Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada contains Mulhacen 3482m which is the highest mountain in mainland Spain. For many years now, British climbers have been visiting Spain for it’s great rock climbing and to get away from the damp U.K. in search of warm dry rock. What is generally not considered is the possibilities for scrambling and mountaineering in the (mainly) dry sunny Sierra Nevada. For the past 10 years, Sierra Nevada Guides have been developing a range of scrambles and challenging walks to satisfy anyone interested in getting away from Britain’s cold damp mountains.

The video clip here shows some of the endless possibilities:

Sierra Nevada Guides are always happy to advise about the area or to provide you with a guide. We also run scrambling holidays and Mountain Skills Courses to help you learn the ropes!

Climb Alcazaba 3371m

Alcazaba 3371m


Climbing Alcazaba (meaning fortress or citadel) the third highest mountain in Spain’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is also the most remote of the big three and therefore the least often climbed. We believe that it is a much better excursion than either Mulhacen or Veleta, requiring determination if you want to succeed.

This summer Sierra Nevada Mountain Guides will be organizing walking itineraries to traverse Alcazaba and will be available to guide individuals or groups.  The walking starting at from a height of 2700m takes around 8 hours for the complete trip ascending via the east ridge and descending via Siete Lagunas.

Pick up’s can be arranged in Lanjaron, Orgiva, Pampaneira  and Capileira. This itinerary is only available from mid June until the end of September.