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Strange conditions in the mountains - El Perro Negro - 03-10-2009 01:09 PM
Something funny is going on?
The week before last we had blue tranparent water ice on Mulhacen west flank. There was even an accident here, see http://www.sierra-nevada-news.com/2009/02/mountaineer-rescued-falling-400-metres-slope-sierra-nevada/. The high winds had blown the snow off the ridges but the valleys were full of deep powder.
Last week we had more snow and 140kph winds for 3 days. You would expect a similar situation but no, we now have the west flank of Mulhacen full of powder snow and no ice showing through. Snowshoes are needed to ascend this rather than crampons!
Yet over on Veleta, we have sheets of pale blue water ice showing though above the linking ski road at 3100m. This is facing west just like Mulhacen. Confusing.
The ridge of Tajos de la Virgen from the Cariguela to the Elorietta is totally white. No rocks are showing through at all. The Fraille pinnacle on the ridge is white too.