Spanish Highs, Sierra Nevada

26/02/2025

Photos from yesterdays linear hike along the GR7 between Juviles and Trevélez. A cold beer in Trevélez before catching the local bus back to the start.

26/02/2025

The trail to the mountain!

Walking yesterday along the GR7 long distance path from Juviles to the town of Trevélez in the Sierra Nevada. Although the summits are out of view the mountain ahead is that of Mulhacén, highest mountain in mainland Spain 3482m

24/02/2025

The latest Alpine introduction course so far...

We've still some time to fit in another course or two before the end of the winter
https://spanishhighs.com/alpine-introduction-courses.html

23/02/2025

The mountains are just superb after fresh snowfall. Today we took father and son team at the top of Europe's most southerly and westerly 3000m peak, the Cerro de Caballo 3009m in Spain's Sierra Nevada. Part of their alpine introduction training course.

22/02/2025

Image from the Tajos del Campanario ridge last week during our latest alpine introduction course. In the background you can just make out the northern face of Mulhacen.

19/02/2025

There are many ways the pilgrims made the journey to Santiago de Compostela. The most well known one is through northern Spain. However there are more. The Camino Mozarabe at 1450km is the longest. This runs from Almeria in the SE to Santiago in the NW of Spain.

Yesterday we did a short 15km section between the village of Dudar to Granada, ending up at the Alhambra Palace.

Expansive views to the Sierra de Huetor, Granada & of course the Sierra Nevada.

15/02/2025

Start of a 4 day alpine course today so we headed up to the quiet and beautiful Cerro de Caballo (3011m)

15/02/2025

Although Amanda and Alan did spend much of the summer on their challenging building site, knocking down ceilings and walls, they managed to escape to take in many of the most beautiful corners of Southern Spain…

11/02/2025

This post describes our experiences working with Alan Carr and the BBC during the filming of "Amanda and Alan's Spanish job" (Episode 3)

We all need a bit of luck don't we? Ours came when our friends Ian and Andrew from the town of Moclin suggested to the BBC that in order to film a high level traverse along a local via ferrata they should contact us.

N.B Ian and Andrew run https://granadaculturalholidays.com/ from their base in Moclin. If you ever want to follow in Amanda and Alan's footsteps please contact them as they have some amazing accommodation available.

So, the BBC contacted us and asked us if we would be interested in leading Alan Carr and the mayor of Moclin on a Via Ferrata route outside of the town. Of course, we said yes, although to be honest after 23 years outside the UK, I wasn't quite sure who indeed, Alan Carr was!

One day in May, Spanish Highs guide Felipe Nieto and myself took the hour long journey past Granada and up to the beautiful hill town of Moclin. Just outside the town is a short Via Ferrata route consisting of ladders, rungs, steps and a high himalayan wire bridge. It was here that we met production staff from the BBC together with some of their film crew. We spent a couple of hours rehearsing the exact route we would take Alan Carr on and locating the best (and safest!) sites for the camera crew positions.

The day of filming arrived and we stood at the base of the crag waiting for the BBC/Alan Carr arrival. When Alan arrived I was somewhat taken aback as he was dressed more for the beach than for dangling on high wires. Meeting a "celebrity" turned out a big non event. Alan was a very friendly and, obviously a funny person, so I felt immediately relaxed in his company.

Felipe was to accompany the mayor and I was to climb with Alan. And of course, as soon as I started to ascend, explaining the very necessary safety aspects to him, I totally forgot about all the cameras. It was just another job after all. I don't remember too much about the route as I was concentrating on making sure Alan kept attached to something!

All too soon, that was that. It was over. I think Alan enjoyed it although he had obviously been a little worried shuffling over the wire bridge. The production staff intimated that they thought it had been a successful shoot with some funny moments. I failed to remember much.

At the end of the summer we again reunited with Alan and Amanda. They had an end of series party at their restored town house in Moclin. What a superb job they had done in giving this a massive makeover. The bar alongside the house was packed with people who had assisted in the shooting.

Thanks to the BBC for having the confidence to work with us. Also, thanks again to Ian and Andrew for getting us the gig in the first place.

READ Full Blog Post at https://spanishhighs.com/articles/alan-carr-via-ferrata-spanish-job/

10/02/2025

Whilst in the UK Richard and Emma took the opportunity last Saturday to attend the Cicerone Press "Authors Day".

For those who don't know, Cicerone produce a series of the best outdoor guidebooks to be found anywhere. Worldwide.

It was good to chat with fellow authors but there was a series of very interesting talks about demographic changes to the user base, the new PCT guide, what makes a good guidebook photo and also the future direction of the company regarding digitalization.

https://www.cicerone.co.uk/

Many thanks to Cicerone for their hospitality and informative day out.

05/02/2025

A 90 minute early morning drive saw us sipping coffee in a small cafe bar in Fondón. The mountains we had come to climb were clagged in, the approach difficult under fresh snow. An impromptu vote had us heading for the blue skies and sunshine of the Sierra Nevada to the north, another 45 minute journey. Needless to say, we had a great day out hiking above the Puerto de la Ragua. Moral of the story is .. it's ok to change plans. Be flexible!

To the west of the 2000m road pass at the Puerto de la Ragua lies the mountains of Morrón del Hornillo (2377m) and Morrón Sanjuanero (2609m). They make a superb day out, especially in the winter time, after fresh snow with nobody else about!

04/02/2025

Today we've been breaking trail through fresh powder

30/01/2025

Looks like the mothership is arriving over the hills to the south of the Lecrin Valley this morning 😀

29/01/2025

The mountains are calling!

Fresh snow on the summits of the Sierra de Huetor this morning above Granada

28/01/2025

Very high winds over the higher mountains today so we headed down to the Guajares Valley and hiked a circular route between Guájar-Fondón and Guajar-Faraguit, taking in the Yacimiento de Castillejo. An approaching rain storm had us hurtling downhill to escape to a nice warm bar with good beer and tapas 😄.

28/01/2025

Worth reading!

Know the difference - Micro spikes and Crampons

Micro spikes work well for icy paths and compacted snow on low-angle terrain, while crampons are essential for steep, technical routes where slips could have serious consequences.

Remember to:
🥾 Understand Your Equipment
🏔 Choose Based on Terrain
🎓 Seek Training
📚 Stay Informed
❄

Find out more: https://bit.ly/crampons-microspikes

Glenmore Lodge Scottish Mountain Rescue Mountain Training Scottish Avalanche Information Service

22/01/2025

A word of warning ... on yesterdays walk in the Sierra de los Guajares range we came across hundreds of Pine Processionary Caterpillars. Seems the warm weather had them dropping down from their cocoon nests in pine trees/shrubs. Avoid the area if you are with dogs or if you are caught unawares, keep your dogs on a lead.