Alcazaba (Sierra Nevada)

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Alcazaba
View of la Alcazaba
Elevation	3,371 m (11,060 ft)
Prominence	186
Location
Alcazaba Spain
Location	Sierra Nevada, Andalusia
Range	Cordillera Penibética
Coordinates	37°04′02″N 03°18′05″W / 37.06722°N 3.30139°W / 37.06722; -3.30139Coordinates: 37°04′02″N 03°18′05″W / 37.06722°N 3.30139°W / 37.06722; -3.30139
Geology
Type	Mica-Schist^[1]
Climbing
First ascent	Unknown
Easiest route	From Siete Lagunas

Alcazaba mountain is 3371 m high mountain in Spain. It is the third highest mountain of the Sierra Nevada range and the fifth in the Iberian Peninsula. The impressive north face can be seen from the town of Granada. The name Alcazaba derives from the word fortification.

Location

The mountain is located between the Mulhacén and Puntal de Vacares mountains, and is one of the most isolated places in the Sierra Nevada. Ascent requires a minimum of one night stay. Alcazaba can be accessed from any direction, but going through the north face is a technical climb. It can also be walked up from the south direction. There are footpath nets from the villages of Pampaneira, Bubión, Capileira and Trevélez and also from the village of Güéjar Sierra at the north side of the mountain. All the paths start from an unusual long distance before reaching the mountain. Minimum walk is about 20 km. Only water taking places are Rio Genil at the north side of the mountain. Rio Poqueira at the south west side of the Mulhacen and there is also tiny rivers at the north side of Puntal de Vacares mountain, at Prado de la Mina.

Mountain huts

The most used mountain hut is the Poqueira hut at 2500 m altitude, on the western flank of the Mulhacen mountain. Poqueira hut is staffed and places are limited but can be booked in advance. From there, one can continue over the Mulhacen mountain and down to Siete Lagunas, before ascending the Alcazaba. There are also a few routes leading from Laguna Mosca through the west face, but these are physically more demanding than the south face. There is a tiny stone hut on the western side of the mountain. Refugio Campinuela is located roughly in the middle of Trevelez and Alcazaba. There is also a hut at the Cueva Secreta, approached from Güéjar Sierra. Cueva Secreta is actually a long cave providing shelter for more than 20 climbers. Some climbers also prefer the north east route, using a hut near El Real or natural caves at the Prado de la Mina. From here the remains of two volcanos can be seen.

Around Alcazaba and climbing

Alcazaba has a steep north face going straight down about 1000 m. There is two paths going through the face in the middle from west to east. These paths may have been used like a water taking routes a long time ago in history. Small rivers can be found at the Prado de la Mina. At the east side is three lakes under the name Lagunas de la Calderetas. At the wide top terrain is two peaks at the south side of the mountain. Siete Lagunas also the seven lakes are located between Mulhacen and Alcazaba. During the summer months good hiking boots are needed, because of the length of the travel. Alcazaba gets usually covered by snow in start of December, therefore crampons, like climbing axe are essential. There is plenty of challenges on this mountain as one can walk, scramble and climb on it. The best thing is the longest climbing season in Europe. Nights can become very cold, because of the freezing sea winds. There is usually some ibexes to be seen.

Photo gallery

Alcazaba North Face
River Rio Genil
Herd of goats on mountains
Mountain path
Evacuation signposting
Supported foothpath
Alcazaba and Mulhacen
Alcazaba
Trevelez

References

↑ Delgado Calvo-Flores: Geología, Geomorfología y Suelos, en Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada, Canseco Edt., Talavera de la Reina 2001. ISBN 84-932095-1-1

External links

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