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‘Mountains have a way of dealing with over-confidence.’

Herman Buhl

General hazards

Underestimating the Sierra Nevada

In benign summer mode with its hot sun, clear skies, easy access and closeness to the fleshpots of the Costa del Sol, it’s easy to underestimate the scale of the Sierra Nevada; but these are high mountains, and distances both in vertical metres and horizontal kilometres are great. Take away the easy access and settled, stable weather and it’s a long way home! Many underestimate these hills each year, thus adding to the accident statistics. The Sierra Nevada needs to be treated with the utmost respect.

Falling

Common-sense precautions against falls – both of humans and of rocks from above – should be taken on all routes. In addition, helmet, harness and rope are advised for security on all of the high mountain scrambles – with the possible exception of Route 21 (Tajos de la Virgen ridge), where there are only a couple of simple scrambling sections and no danger of rockfall. A helmet would also be advisable on Route 8 (Vasar de Mulhacén) to protect from any falling rocks.