26 January 2014 The Durcal Tubo

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This Sunday was our big end of the month walk, and what a cracker it turned out to be. The conditions were set to be perfect after a week of mixed weather, the forecasters were predicting sunshine and temperatures of 17 degrees and, with Caballo covered in snow, what more could we wish for?
We met in Durcal and then drove the short distance to the start of the walk, there were comments that we could have walked the 2km. I promised them that they would thank me when they got back to the cars in 7 hours time.
The path starts by following the border of the Sierra Nevada Parque Natural, and then it follows the tubo that feeds the Durcal Hydroelectric plant. From below it looks an impossible route but the well engineered path slowly zig zags to the top, with the views opening up along the way.
By the time Caballo came into the view the sky was crystal clear and, with a covering of deep snow, the mountain looked magnificent.
 At this point we had an option to either continue climbing, this time on a forest road or to take a shorter route back. On such a fabulous day it would have been a shame to turn around so everyone voted to continue along the road that leads up to Caballo.  There was plenty of deep snow about and we eventually came to a point where the road was closed, even to the most capable 4X4. But to the walkers of the Lecrin Valley Limpers it was no problem at all.
With all the climbing over we stopped for a well deserved lunch on some rocks, in the sun and with great views of Caballo and the sea. It seemed a shame to leave our idyllic picnic spot but with 8 km still to go we reluctantly left our lofty perch and headed off downhill for the Rambla de Durcal.
Questions were raised about the word “Rambla” in English but nothing seems to describe a dried river bed. We tried Valley, Gorge, Ravine, Gully. The dictionary suggests Gulch but it’s such a rare event to see a dry river bed in the UK, it’s not a word that easily comes to mind. I’ll stick with Rambla.
The Gulch was made famous in the 1966 film “The long Duel” featuring Yul Brynner and Trevor Howard It was filmed here and on a set in Padul.
The path makes a steep descent and then follows the valley floor back to the car.
After such an arduous walk we retreated to the bar in Durcal for a well deserved beer.
A great walk in what were perfect conditions. A big thank you to Jan who tried valiantly to keep control of, and hurry up our official photographer. After spending years trying I know it is an impossible task.

We walked 18.3 km and climbed 1090 metres, the maximum altitude was 1941 metres.

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