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

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Icing

After a southerly front from the African continent passes northwards through the Sierra Nevada there is a rapid rise in temperature followed by a quick return to sub-zero. This turns the Sierra Nevada into a gigantic block of ice where a slip by the tired or inexperienced can have disastrous consequences. In winter 2014 many experienced mountaineers got into difficulties on simple routes and had to resort to assistance from the rescue services.

Sharp crampons and ice axes are essential – along with knowledge of how to use them! Choosing a simpler or less exposed route will lessen the risk.

Winds

Predominantly from the west, these are a constant companion in the high mountains. It’s not uncommon for gusts of over 100km/hr to be recorded in winter – and indeed a winter gust of over 200km/hr was once recorded at an altitude of 2800m.

Progress will be difficult and may well be impossible in winds of over 60km/hr, especially on ridges and in areas where the wind is funneled through passes such as Collado de Carihuela. In addition, when strong, bitterly cold winds arrive from the north the wind chill will be extremely high.