Читать книгу Walking and Trekking in the Sierra Nevada. 38 walks, scrambles and multi-day traverses онлайн

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Summer generally offers fine weather for high-level walking and trekking, when it is possible to travel light save for clothing required for the odd afternoon thunderstorm or cooling breezes.

One of the major benefits of the Sierra Nevada is the stability of its climate. Big high-pressure systems sit over the area for months at a time in summer, and sometimes for long periods during the winter months too. The downhill ski resort is said to be the sunniest ski resort in the world. Winter is the most unsettled and wettest period, though, and when bad weather does come in you can expect it to be generally heavy, violent and short-lived.

There are huge differences in temperature between the various seasons. At 3000m in January and February the air temperature (without wind chill) can frequently dip below -10ºC. In July and August a normal daytime temperature at 3000m would be 15–20ºC. This huge variability – not only between the seasons but also the tremendous altitude differences between the high mountains and the costas – is of course part of the attraction of the place!