Trekking in the Sierra Nevada, Spain

Between all the hecticness of the last few days, I managed to get the all the paperwork, bookings and risk assessments finalised for my next expedition. The last kit checks were done as well as sorting rations and these delicious de-hydrated meals for a planned high camp in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada in southern Spain. By Saturday, we were ready to fly!

 

Manchester to Malaga all went smoothly. Having not paid for allocated seats, we were randomly assigned places, spread out along the cabin. Most of the team were closely bunched, but I drew the short (or long, depending on your point of view) straw and was placed at the back of the plane amidst a team of Hen-Do girls from Ormskirk. I felt a little out of place as the only passenger in the rear of the plane with out pink devil horns on and matching too-too. Even thought I didn't have a personalised pink sash, I did at least have the window seat. 'Juicy Lucy' and 'Patsy Party Girl' were actually quite good company, compared to the rowdier ladies in the row behind, who seemed a force to be reckoned with! Thankfully, there was no sign of them as we checked into the Holiday Inn at the Airport.

 

Sunday saw us driving to the mountains. After a short walk to the hire car depot, I picked up the guys and we set off east. Being a Sunday there were no shops open, but we did manage to get unleaded petrol for our camp stoves!

 

We stopped for lunch (Spanish Omlette!) in a town called Lanjaron.

 

And a cooling drink of local spring water. It was 26 degrees despite being overcast all day. 

 

Our acclimatisation hike, took us on a lovely loop on a well marked trail, from the eastern end of the high street (by the fountain with the old couple), up along the Rio Lanjaron, to a small reservoir. The route followed a small leet. It was actually quite forested, with chestnut, almond and fig trees in abundance. 7km later, we arrived back at the fountain and drove on to the small village of Capileira, where we are now staying the night at 'Hostal Rural'. Well fed and watered, tomorrow we head up the the mountain Refuge...