Hidden ways across the north faces of Mulhacen and Alcazaba

[El Perro Negro]

Summer Conditions only!

Vasar de Mulhacen

The key entry point to this path lies 100m uphill and eastwards from the Col de Ciervo on Mulhacen?s west ridge. At the next obvious break in the ridge lies a small cairn with a red circle on the nearby rocks. This marks the start of the path. The photo below is taken just below the starting point.


At this point take a deep breath! The way looks very scary indeed, A narrow path winds it?s way along a natural shelf or rake running halfway up the north face. There is vertical ground above and below. The path is loose so take care. Those passing this way will need a head for heights but their is no real scrambling of note.

We always wear helmets here as the whole of the north face is shattered and there might be a slight risk of stonefall. Half way along the shelf the way broadens but the going is hardly less dramatic. A rise up the screes at the end leads us to the Puntal de Siete Lagunas. Here we can access either the valley of Siete Lagunas itself or contour round and climb the scree couloir to gain the plateau leading to the summit of Alcazaba.

Gran Vasar de Alcazaba

This is of similar vein to the Vasar de Mulhacen. A shelf leads from near the Puntal de El Goteron rightwards. This too leads over steep ground, but the exposure is not felt as much as that on Mulhacen. The route leads to the Laguna de la Mosca, where a short climb brings one out at the Col de Ciervo.

This is an easier route and much used in winter by climbers accessing the climbs on Alcazaba NW face

[El Perro Negro]

Forgot to add that I took a short video of the 2 routes from the Collado del Ciervo last week. Link below. Also good view of that great mountain route, the "Espolon de Alcazaba".

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xabmp3_...lhac_sport

[La Gringa]

Guess where Im going next summer with the flip ?

[elperronegro]

Thought Id update this post with a photo I took a few days ago showing the NW face of Alcazaba. I have put in the lines of the Gran Vasar, Espolon and others to help identification.