Monday 1st September 2008

Back in civilization this afternoon after 3 wonderful days trekking in the Sierra Nevada mountains in Andalusia, with 'Spanish Highs', a trekking company based in Lanjaron south of Granada. Lanjaron is a spa town really near to the farm where Chris Stewart who wrote 'Driving Over Lemons' lives. We met the two of them (Richard & Kirsten, our guides) later after we had an excellent meal in the strangely named Bar Health. We all perhaps drank a bit too much along with couple also on the trip and bed time after 1am was the result. The local habit of bringing a tapas with every drink 'free' meant we were full of energy for the following day - although a little hung over (some of us!). I couldn´t believe how much the packs weighed when we got them on our backs, the tent's put on weight since we last used it. We left at lunch time, Richard and Kirsten kindly allowing us to leave the car at their place. Fortunately, given the weight on our backs, a 4WD trip took us to 22oom and we trecked up to our overnight camp at the Laguna Hondera. The locals call the river that flows out of this lake the 'Dogs Arse River'. From above you can see why! An amazing palce to camp, with views of Alcazabar (the 3rd highest peak in the range) and, as darkness fell a sky full of stars. However, the dog had obviously been eating sprouts - during the night the wind got up, and up. Our tent survived but Richard and Kirstens certainly looked rather unwell. Due to the wind, the ascent of Acazabar was abandoned and we headed straight up to Mulhacen, the highest mainland mountain in Europe, west of the Alps. It was a bit blowy up there as well, which made viewing the sheer drop on the north face of the summit a bit hairy. Views were fab, we managed to see the African coast hazy in the distance. Down then to another Laguna for the next nights camp. This gave us some shelter from the wind and we spent the afternoon enjoying the sun and practising filtering water. As the sun went down, out came the cartons of wine (very civilised we are) and we climbed up a bit to catch the last of the sun while we drank it. An early start the next day - and we had ICE in the tent! Another good walk and the summit of Valeta (2nd highest) bagged. The building on top made Snowdon look pretty. Beer and chips on our descent to the ski resort and back in the evening for more calorie replenishment in the Bar Health. Thanks Richard and Kirsten for what was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.