Mountain Rescue and Insurance

[Andy2]

Hi,

Can anyone help me with my questions about adventure activities in the Sierra Nevada?

1) Can anyone recommend a good insurance policy for trekking/mountaineering/skiing in the Sierra?s which would cover the potential costs of rescue and Medevac off the mountains? I am based in Spain and so many of the UK policies are not applicable as I would constantly out stay their maximum trip duration. I don?t need any exceptional medical cover or travel insurance, I just want to avoid a big bill for mountain rescue should the worst happen.

2) What are the rules on free camping in the park? Specifically, is there a minimum altitude limit and are there any restrictions on the use of stoves during the summer?

Thanks in advance.
Andy

[El Perro Negro]

Andy,
Insurance. Are you a resident in Spain and paying into their NHS Social system?

Camping in the park......there are some guidelines from the park authorities somewhere on the net (sorry, cant find them) but everybody ignores them! Basically don't wild camp near any guarded hut, don't pollute water and leave no trace etc etc. I have not known of anybody refused a wild camp or told by the authorities to leave.

[Andy2]

Thanks for the reply.

re health care, no I am still technically resident in the UK, although I have an NIE number. I pay UK Tax & NI not Spanish although I am registered at the local doctors.

I looked into the insurance company suggested on the Spanish Highs site, but even its multi-trip annual policies contained a limit on the duration of the trip and I work between here and the UK and can be out here (in Spain) for 6 months at a time so would often not be covered.

[El Perro Negro]

The Consejeria de Medio Ambiente states the following:

(1) It is permitted to bivouac or wild camp overnight anywhere in the park.
(2) You cannot spend more than 1 night in the same location.
(3) Tents should be erected only after the sun has set and taken down before the sun rises.
(4) Groups of more than 3 tents and/or 15 persons must seek prior permission from the park authorities.
(5) Not permitted to camp within 500m of guarded huts, tarmac roads or forest roads.
(6) Not permitted to camp within 50m of lagunas (lakes) or borreguiles (high wet lands).
(7) Not permitted to camp within the Centursa ski boundary.
(8) Not permitted to camp in forest zones in periods of high fire risk 1st June to 15th October.

[Andy2]

Nothing to serious there and I tend to leave my tape measure at home rather than carry it into the hills!

[El Perro Negro]

If just for Spain join the FEDAMON. http://www.fedamon.com/
Good personal insurance and better value than the BMC.
We actually have personal rescue insurances worldwide with the Austrain Alpine Club.
See this post for a overall roundup http://www.sierra-nevada-news.com/2008/1...insurance/

[Andy2]

Thanks for the link - that was just what I was looking for.