Report of snow conditions on recent ski touring Los Tres Miles attempt

[elperronegro]

We have been making the crossing of the Sierra Nevada on skis, and although the intention was to get the Caballo, we finally had to leave for the refugios due to some bad weather. Still, we could see quite well the general conditions that exist in the mountains at present.

For starters, the obvious: there is a frightening amount of snow ... From 2.100m by the Postero, there is more than enough snow to approach the Jerez. None of ice shelves along the route show. The snow has transformed everything. The entire area of Picon, Cobatillas, Vacares until Alcazaba, has a tremendous amount of snow and barely visible rocks. It is all white. More of the same at Siete Lagunas, Mulhacén, Poqueira, and all the valleys to the Cariguela.

There is also now a good track to go from the Cariguela to the Caldera, althought he crossing of Los Machos is still dangerous (avalanches!). Although even on this section there is signs of a track. Harder but safer to detour south of the pass.

In general where the sun has hit the snow it is completely transformed, hard spring morning and afternoon, with some sections where you sink a little more. Great conditions to walk or ski.

In contrast, on the northern slopes, more gloomy, it seems that the snow has not transformed yet. The rise to the Vacares is largely with skis, but at 50m below the summit we went to the edge and climbed it. On the edge, more oriented to the north, we found inconsistent snow and sank to the knees in unconsolidated snow.

Signs of avalanche danger and plating on slopes of Alcazaba, Bowls, etc, also oriented to the northeast. North still can be quite unstable, with even unprocessed snow, and there are many areas that may be at risk of further landslides.

[Spready]

(03-22-2011 05:24 PM)elperronegro Wrote:  "there is a frightening amount of snow"

I did laugh at that statement as I was one of those madmen watching it fall a few weeks ago! - The You Tube Edit of our time in the Sierra Nevada is nearly done - getting it down to below 15mins was a bit of a challenge (YT Limits!!). Should be uploaded later tonight...
Take care out there...and we may be seeing you sooner rather than later...whats the weather usually like for a full walking traverse in October????
All the best
Spready

[elperronegro]

(03-22-2011 05:45 PM)Spready Wrote:  

(03-22-2011 05:24 PM)elperronegro Wrote:  "there is a frightening amount of snow"

I did laugh at that statement as I was one of those madmen watching it fall a few weeks ago! - The You Tube Edit of our time in the Sierra Nevada is nearly done - getting it down to below 15mins was a bit of a challenge (YT Limits!!). Should be uploaded later tonight...
Take care out there...and we may be seeing you sooner rather than later...whats the weather usually like for a full walking traverse in October????
All the best
Spready

Hiya Spready
October can be the month when the first snows fall, but generally it is not "full on". Maybe crampons, maybe not. Some years it doesn't snow until mid November, some years it's mid-October. We normally would expect to complete the full "Los Tres Miles" in October with trekking gear.

[elperronegro]

BTW Spready, what video editing software have you used and recommend?

[Spready]

(03-22-2011 09:32 PM)elperronegro Wrote:  BTW Spready, what video editing software have you used and recommend?

http://www.spanishhighs.co.uk/Forums/Thread-Video-Gear