Walk 2nd September 2007

By -

Lecrin Valley Limper

Dear Limper

Our walk on Sunday up Mulhacén necessitated a very early start, this was required because we had 11 places booked and paid for, on the mountain bus leaving Capileira at 8.30. So we met in Mondújar at 7 am and in the true Spanish tradition, we even had time for coffee before we met the bus and Paco, our Sierra Nevada interpretación guide. It was worth the 7.7€ bus fare just for the entertainment value of listening to Paco as he described in detail the flora and fauna of the Sierra Nevada. The bus service is a great way to get at Mulhacén as it saves some 1200 meters of ascent and 4 hours of walking, 8 hours if you also count the return journey. The bus drops you off at the Mirador de Trevélez and the first thing we all did was dig the fleece jackets out of the rucksacs. Little did we know we would be wishing we had brought another two by the time we got to the top. The path to the summit takes around 3 hours, it is not steep and normally would not cause anyone any difficulty, but at this altitude I think everyone felt 20 years older. A tail wind had followed us up the mountain and it was quite pleasant for the most part. The problem started on the last 50 meters of the walk when the forecasted 24 km, 15 degree wind, suddenly turned into a 124 km, 5 degree wind, forcing everyone to walk at an unaccustomed angle and try and seek shelter behind a wall, unfortunately no matter which side of the wall you sat the wind seemed to get at you. It was not long before the motion was proposed and passed that we should hightail it back down the mountain to warmer climates. With such a short time at the top and a very fast descent we found we had over an hour to wait for the bus, so now, with some warm sunshine and somewhere comfortable to lay, it was time for the entertainment to begin. It was now that the problems began for one little chappie, when we discovered that he had used his return bus ticket as a hanky. Can you imagine what fun this caused the group especially when he said he told Sandra he would do nothing to get his name in print. Fortunately, with everyone keeping quiet about the missing ticket (!!!!) we managed to smuggle him on board and get him safely off the mountain. Upon our return to Capileira we called into a bar for drinks and tapa before our return journey to the valley. A big thank you to Al for the sterling work he did at the back of the group encouraging and cajoling the tail enders. A special celebration certificate is available to anyone at the introductory price of 10 cents.

Our walk this coming Sunday, the 2nd of September, is a circular walk around Albunúelas, and takes about 3 hours. There is a short steep hill to climb at the start but the walk is classed suitable for Olwyn. Tapa is arranged at Joan and Kens house in Albunúelas, bring your tapa with you, because we will drop it off before the start of the walk. Meet outside the Acropolis bar, Mondújar at 9am.

The photo shows Margaret, Alan, Alison, Little John, Andy, Rob, Sandy, Annie, Arthur, Simon

Have a good week

Stuart

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Walk Sunday 2 December 2018 Sierra Manar

By -
Image
This week we went walking in the Sierra Manar, the range of hills behind Dilar.  The walk had been postponed from a few weeks back when it was raining every day, it’s not a walk to do when the ground is wet and muddy. The weather forecast for this Sunday was for sunshine and temperatures of 21 degrees, perfect walking conditions.  The walk starts from the Ermita Nueva and heads up a gentle slope through Olive trees.  After 1 km the path follows the tree line on what at first looks like a level track. It soon becomes apparent that it’s not level at all, but a series of switchbacks with steep ups and downs.  There were only 9 in the group, and we all walked together, chatting and enjoying the warm sunshine. Nobody thought to check that we all turned onto a path into the forest. It was only when we emerged on the other side we noticed our group had dropped to 7, Elsa and Martine were missing.  At first, we weren't worried, we thought they would soon rejoin us. After
Read more

Walk Sunday 4 November 2018 Nerja

By -
Image
This week with snow on the Sierras we decided to go down to Nerja for our walk, at least it would be warm down there. I left home in long trousers, fleece and a jacket. One hour later, at the start of the walk from the caves, I was down to shorts and a T-shirt, don’t worry I had not thrown caution to the wind, they were all in my rucksack along with another 2 coats.  The route was a circular one setting off from the caves and the idea was that we could do an easy and a harder walk, with the easy walkers walking with us for the first half of the route and then making their way back along a 4X4 track, whilst the harder walk went up a hill. Trying to keep track as to who, and how many there were in the group was impossible, even Einstein would have had trouble keeping up with all the comings and goings. For the first 1km, the track follows a 4X4 road to the picnic site, it then drops down into a superb barranco which fortunately, even after all the rain, was still dry. Th
Read more

Walk 18 November 2018 Talara

By -
Image
The walk this Sunday was a local one from Talara. The weather forecast was not promising. It wasn’t a matter of if it rained, it was at what time would it start and how heavy.  We met at the crossroads in Talara and the fallback wet weather option was coffee in Antonio’s where we could reminisce about walking in dry sunny weather. It would only be a short discussion as dry weather was sadly lacking in 2018. It was decided to skip the coffee, it wasn’t raining yet, and we had a walk to do. The route was designed with 12 options to shorten it when the rain started, it also went close by a number of Limper homes where we could seek refuge if necessary.  The walk passed through Chite where we picked up a couple of stragglers and then headed off down to the dam. This is a wonderful path as it winds its way down the hillside in and out of the Agave plants, Fortunately, I had brought my machete with me, as a number needed trimming. I had to be careful this week, my care
Read more