Tuesday 4 December 2012

Walking in the Warm! - Spain


Walking in the Warm!
Walking in the warm has become a dream as the British winter is now taking hold. A wet summer followed by a wet autumn, now a wet cold winter has left me dreaming of some warmth and the chance to walk in some sunshine.

Walking holidays don’t need to be expensive, especially if southern Spain is your destination.  There are cheap flights from all U.K. airports to Malaga which can be the gateway to a wonderful walking holiday in AndalucĂ­a’s Alpujarra region. The Alpujarra is the area nestling into the southern slopes of Spain’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. The area has been mainly influenced by the Berber Arabs who colonised this area from the 8th Century and is characterised by pretty white villages linked by a network of paths, mule tracks and watercourses known as Acequia’s.

February warmth in The Alpujarra


Mountain House Holidays (operating from their mountain house high in the Alpujarra) have a vast local knowledge of the walking in the area and their walks are led by qualified International Mountain Leaders. There are walking holidays scheduled for February, April and May.

Walking in T shirts is not uncommon in winer!
The walking in the Alpujarra is classic hill walking so don’t expect flat easy paths, but is well within the capabilities of those used to walking at a basic level in British hills (South Downs, Peak District, etc.). 
A flavour of the area can be gleaned from Chris Stewarts superb book, “Driving over Lemons.”



Favourite walks included in the Itineraries usually include:

Walking beside an Acequia near Lanjaron
A circuit in the Poqueira Gorge, which takes in the delights of the prettiest three villages, Capileira, Bubion and Pampaneira. The walking here is a mixture of walking through ancient terraces as we ascend the valley before taking in the delights of the “whitewashed” villages with their narrow streets, public Lavado’s where old ladies can still be seen doing their washing and of course the odd bar!

A circuit in the Taha, a name given to the valley beneath Trevelez which is Spain’s highest village, famous for its dry cured ham. The walking here takes a line on an old mule track through improbable cliffs, past goat farms, ancient bridges, terraces and white washed villages.

A circuit above the spa town of Lanjaron. This walk follows ancient mule tracks through terraces, follows acequia’s and gives superb views down to the coast and on clear days across to the mountains of North Africa. 
Lanjaron is famous for it’s spa water and as a “resort” has many craft shops, and a range of bars and restaurants.

Alpujarran Street scene
Mountain House Holidays offer you a complete package, starting from when we meet you at Malaga Airport through until when we drop you back at the airport at the end of your holiday. You just arrange your flight and insurance, we organise your travel in Spain, your full board accommodation and a week of fully guided walking led by qualified walk leaders with a full local knowledge of the area.

For those who prefer “self guided” holidays, we are able to organise accommodation and provide written details of the walks we lead.

Thursday 8 November 2012

Walking in Spain's Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada


Walking in Spain’s Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra

For the past ten years since we bought our mountain ”cortio” in Spain’s Sierra NevadaMountains and Alpujarra, we have enjoyed exploring the hills and mountains just south of Granada.  Since 2004 we have been organising walking holidays here as Mountain House Holidays though we also operate a guiding service as Sierra Nevada Guides and are the only qualified British International Mountain Leaders operating in the Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Mulhacen
The Sierra Nevada boasts mainland Spain’s highest mountain, Mulhacen at 3482m.  The southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada are known as the Alpujarra an area great for hill walking, especially in the winter months when the high mountains are covered in snow.

Walking is possible in the Alpujarra all year round though from mid June until the end of August it is too hot for most people. However when the sun is out even in mid winter we have been stripped down to T shirts. 


Alpujarra Street
This part of Spain was ruled for centuries by Muslim kings and was colonised by Berbers from the Atlas mountains of Morocco.  The architecture of the villages is identical to those of the Atlas mountains.  However the tradition here is to paint the houses white and the villages look stunning adorning the hillsides, prettiest of all being Pampaneira, Bubion and Capileira.

The Sierra Nevada has been described as like Cairngorm with altitude! Unless you enjoy winter mountaineering or snowshoeing, the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada are best avoided in the winter months and spring. The high mountains start to become accessible again from mid June and remain so most years into November.

Gentians and "The Star of The Snows"
The area is a national park and is famous for it’s wildlife. There are many endemic species in addition to those shared with other areas. This is because of the huge variation in altitude with climatic zones from Mediterranean to Alpine. Here it is almost certain that if you know where to go you will see eagles and vultures circling above you.

The walking can be varied too, encountering terraces of almond blossom, chestnut woodland and oak forests. There is even an extensive forest of Scots Pine!  In the high mountains as the snow retreats in summer the ground becomes carpeted with Gentians and a local version of the Edelweiss known as the Star of the Snows.

The pretty white villages all have water fountains to replenish drinking bottles and there are many wayside “fuente” too, some famous for their mineral waters and even fizzy.

Enjoying the December Sunshine
February, March, April and May are nice times to visit the Alpujarra as the land is green with new plant growth.  Easter in this area brings traditional processions of statues from the local churches through the narrow streets thronged with crowds.

Summer though hot in the valley, is a great time to walk the higher peaks of The Sierra Nevada. Sun is almost guaranteed in the summer and we have never had to wear a waterproof jacket though occasionally a windproof.  Up high the temperature will be between 15 and 20 degrees during the summer though can drop considerably in high winds.

"Cabra de Monte" Iberian Ibex
Autumn is a good time for both the Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada.  The tourists disappear, everywhere becomes quieter though the warm weather stays. The weather does become changeable but not to the extent that it rules out walking.

Footpaths are not well marked though the maps available are adequate and there are several guidebooks detailing the walking that can be bought in the U.K.




Our walking holidays take advantage of our local knowledge of the best walks ensuring that no day is wasted. For those organising their own holidays, there are a selection of our favourite walks available to download from our Sierra Nevada Guides website.

Charity Challenge for All!


“Everyone can rise to the Challenge!”

A few years ago Mountain House Holidays were contacted by national charity who provide services for people with learning disabilities.  They had been turned down by several companies who organise charity challenge events because they wanted to include people they support in a fund raising event. As we organise and run adventure holidays for people with learning disabilities we readily agreed to work with them and help organise their challenge!

The successful team on the summit of Mulhacen
The challenge consisted of four events in Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains:
i. A Rock Climbing and abseiling day

ii. A day to acclimatise to altitude ascending Cerro del Caballo 3011m

iii. A Canyon descent

iv. An Ascent of mainland Spain’s highest mountain, Mulhacen 3482m over two days.

The group was split into two groups for the first two days (rock climbing and the
acclimatising day).

In total with travelling, the group were away for six days spending 5 nights in
Spain, two of the nights were in a mountain hut, The Poqueira Refuge.

Each person with a learning disability had a nominated “supporter” who was
either a friend or carer. The group all travelled and undertook the activities
together.

There were ten people who took part in the challenge, three who had a learning
disability.  Nine of the ten made it to the summit of Mulhacen. The charity
arranged flights and insurance for the participants, Mountain House met the
group and provided all accommodation (full board), transport in Spain and the
activities.

Would we do it again?  Definitely!

Since then, we have hosted a number of holidays for people with a learning disability, but thought it would be good for 2013 to return to the concept of an inclusive challenge.  Why not join us with a group of friends (including people with a learning disability) and raise some money for charity.
See our website for more details.


Tuesday 6 November 2012

Peak District Walking Festival 2013



Mountain House Holidays are pleased, once again, to support the Peak District Walking Festival 2013. We have a full programme of moorland walks and navigation courses, all led by fully qualified leaders.

Get ahead of the game and book your dates for the Peak District Walking Festival 2013. Prices for the guided walks are normally (unless otherwise stated), £10 adults, £5 children and £30 for families.

Kinder Low Trigpoint
8.5 miles of tough walking. 10am till 4pm.
Crossing the centre of Kinder and visiting 5 aircraft wreck sites, Kinder Gates and Kinder Downfall.  The best that Kinder Scout has to offer!
Friday 26th April 2013
Saturday 4th May
Friday 10th May


Crash site of the Sabres, Ashop Clough

12 miles, 10 till 4.30.
Visiting the extensive remains of Superfortress 44-61999 and B24 Liberator. Also 2 F-86 Sabres returning along Ashop Clough.
Monday 29th April
Monday 6th May
Sunday 12th May





Rockhall at The Roaches
Rockall Cottage and Bacon Butties! 
£18 adults, £13 children
A circuit from Gradbach taking in Lud’s Church and Roaches End, with lunch at Rockall Cottage. The price includes the Bacon Butties, hot drinks and cake.
Tuesday 30th April
Wednesday 8th May





Horse Stone, Upper Derwent Valley
Delights and Gems of The Upper Derwent Valley
10am till 4pm.
8 miles of fairly rough walking visiting rock formations, wells, aircraft wrecks and shooting cabins. Stunning views!
Friday 3rd May

Scrambling on Kinder Scout





This will include ascents of both Crowden Brook and Red Brook which are classic scrambles and a chance to visit the sites of 3 aircraft wrecks. There is a short film show of these scrambles on our website.
Sunday 5th May
Saturday 11th May



A 1 day course, which will set you up with the basics of using a map and compass over easy open moorland.
Saturday 27th April
Thursday 9th May

Map and Compass, tools for navigation!

A 1 day course, designed for people who have done some walking, which will enable you to use a map and compass to navigate over open moorland
Thursday 2nd May






Walking in Slovenia's Julian Alps


Walking in Slovenia’s Julian Alps


Monument to the Partizans of WW2 under Triglav's North Face
 Driving from Ljubljana Airport towards Bohinj, which was to be our base, I remember commenting on how green the countryside was and how clean this country appeared. That was on our first trip in May.  We were fortunate to return for a longer stay in August and I got the same impression. Slovenia is a beautiful mountainous country.  Slovene’s are very proud of their mountains, Triglav the country’s highest mountain (2864m) even appears on the national flag and every Slovene is expected to climb Triglav at least once during their life!


Lake Bohinj and the Monument to Zloterog
The base for our first trip was Stara Fuzina near the shore of Lake Bohinj.  It was from here in 1778 that three local men set out and made the first ascent of Triglav.  In May when we made our first visit there was still too much snow to walk the high peaks safely but the high pastures were clear and full of the most spectacular spring flowers.  Indeed there was a flower festival happening attracting many visitors on guided walks into the alpine meadows.  This would be a great time to visit, before it got too hot for some late spring warmth. The only down side of visiting in May was that many of the huts were not yet open, during the season they provide a good service in food and drinks.


The paths are very well marked with red and white markers and all major junctions are marked with signposts giving place names and the time it will take to get there.

Triglav from the south East
When we visited again in August, it was very much hotter with valley temperatures up to 30 degrees during the day.  On this trip though we planned to spend most of the time up in the high mountains which was much cooler like a British summer!  At night and early in the morning it did get cold requiring jackets, hats and gloves.


Edelweiss
We toured around the Triglav area staying in some of the numerous huts that provide clean though basic hostel accommodation. The paths we walked were limestone with amazing Karst features.  Often with steep rocky steps, sometimes with wires and metal steps to help.  Ibex were common and although this was late summer there were still many stunning plants including Edelweiss and the rare Zois Bellflower (a plant where bees have to drill into the flower to get at the nectar).





Pri Jezeru Hut and Alpine Pasture
Historically the area is fascinating too. A country that has been ruled by other nations from Roman times until recent independence with the dismantling of Yugoslavia. There are three aspects of their history that I found particularly interesting: the sites of fortifications and other remnants of the 1st world war high in the mountains; examples of forms of cooperative farming dating to the early 1800’s which when the communists took power in the 1940’s were held up as models of good practice allowing these alpine cooperatives to continue; and the history of Slovene mountaineering which is remarkable. There are museums to visit that highlight all three of these subjects.


Zois Bellflower
The walking in this area is as good as any in the central alps and Slovene culture is geared up to support walkers with a great network of signed paths and alpine huts.  The most difficult aspect is how to get there as flights are limited and the only low cost airline flying there from the U.K. is Easyjet flying from Stanstead. Once in Slovenia, public transport is good though if you are planning a hut to hut tour consider getting a taxi to and from your start and finish points.




Mountain House Holidays will be running Hut to Hut walking tours of the Triglav area in September 2013.  These 7 night full board, fully guided holidays will cost £850.  The price includes all transport, accommodation and food and the services of a fully qualified International Mountain Leader.

Mike and Jane from Mountain House Holidays are fully qualified International Mountain Leaders.  If you or you group would like a Walking Holiday in Slovenia organised at other dates, please contact us to discuss your ideas.

Friday 31 August 2012

Sandra's Last Munro


Sandra’s Last Munro
Sandra is a regular visitor to The Sierra Nevada and last year managed The Integral, (a traverse of all the 3000m peaks in the Sierra Nevada), with Mountain House Holidays.
Sandra Owen on Driesh, 947m

Mike and Jane of Mountain House were invited to accompany Sandra on her final Munro, Driesh 947m near Glen Doll in Scotland.

Around 30 of us accompanied Sandra to the summit in deteriorating weather where celebration drinks, cava and a range of single malt whiskies, were consumed before descending and retreating to the pub for “stovies” and more drink.

Congratulations Sandra on completing your Munro’s!

A Munro is a Scottish mountain with a height of 914m or higher. There are 283 Munro’s listed in the SMC guide though there is the odd dispute over a couple of peaks.

After experiencing the Scottish summer weather and the infamous midge, we now remain convinced that Spain's Sierra Nevada is the place to be!

It should be noted that Mike and Jane of Sierra Nevada Guides have a house at 1300m above sea levelhigher than most Munro's.

Monday 6 August 2012

Rock Climbing and Abseiling in The Peak District

Rock Climbing and Abseiling in The Peak District
Rock Climbing at Froggatt Edge


Mountain House has been providing rock climbing and abseiling sessions in The Peak District since 2004 as part of its programme of multi-activity holidays.  Recently due to demand we have decided to make ourselves available to run “taster” sessions and skills coaching.






An Abseiling session for the National Park at Millersdale Viaduct



We are so lucky living and working in The Peak District where there are many excellent venues for both rock climbing and abseiling. Mike and Jane who own Mountain House and their team of instructors are all qualified to organise and run climbing sessions.

Mike is a former Director of Mountain Leader Training and former Vice President of The British Mountaineering Council.  


Jane and Mike have run several training courses for the Mountain Leader Training Association.



Sessions can be whole day, half day or for an evening (summer months).  Details and prices can be found on our website.

Tuesday 31 July 2012

Autumn in the Alpujarra and Sierra Nevada


September and October is a great time to visit as the heat from summer starts to fade and walking and climbing at lower altitudes becomes possible again. Although there will be occasional rainy days, any moisture brings life back to the plants and a second growing season begins.

Busquistar in December
Any rain in the valleys is likely to bring a dusting of snow on the high peaks, though this will melt quickly as snow tends not to lie before November.  Water will be flowing again in the acequias  (water channels) which are often lined with chestnut trees who’s leaves turn to gold then brown as autumn progresses.

This is a great time to visit for a walking holiday.  Low season hotel prices coupled with mainly settled weather that will seem like summer to anyone from Britain.  Walking in the Alpujarra (hill walking) and Sierra Nevada (mountain walking) is as good as it gets with some truly memorable days to be had.

Some of our favourite walks  include:
A circuit in the Taha from Busquistar:
A circuit to the Poqueira Refuge for lunch;  and
An ascent of the Cerro del Caballo which at 3011m is Europe’s most westerly 3000m peak.

Walking in The Taha, December

To make the most of your visit, check out our website where you’ll find all sorts of useful information and suggested itineraries.  If you have a question about the area that isn’t answered on our website do get in touch, we are always happy to advise.

Like all mountains, these can be serious too.  Only venture into the hills if you have the right skills.  You can always hire a guide from Sierra Nevada Guides.

Mountain House Holidays have places available on their walking and scrambling holidays scheduled for September.

Sunday 29 April 2012

Guided Walks in the Peak District



One of the recurring questions that we have been asked throughout this years Peak District Walking Festival is, “are you leading any other guided walks?”

Mountain House Holidays are pleased to announce this years summer programme of guided walks in The Peak District.  All of this years guided walks are priced at £20 per person and the one visiting the famous Rockhall Cottage built into the Roaches includes a bacon sandwich and hot drinks!

In addition, Mountain House Holiday run Navigation Courses and Mountain Skills courses through their training company, Peak Navigation Courses.



Mountain House Holidays is run by Jane Livingstone and Michael Hunt, both qualified International Mountain Leaders.

Scrambling in the Peak District

Scrambling in the Peak District!
Yes it's official!  With the Publication by Cicerone of a new guide to scrambles in the Peak there is sure to be a surge of interest in scrambling.  We at Mountain House have been leading people up various scrambles over the years as part of our navigation courses and guided walks.



Scrambling?
Scrambling is great fun and occupies that area between hill walking and rock climbing. At its easiest (grade 1 scrambles) it requires the occasional use of hands to move between boulders or up rock slabs, whilst at its hardest (grade 3 scrambles) are easy rock climbs. The scrambles that we are offering to lead and supervise are all either grade 1 or grade 2 scrambles that do not routinely require the use of a safety rope. That said, our qualified leaders will carry safety equipment in case anyone has trouble or finds themselves lacking in confidence.

These are all day itineraries starting at 10am and aiming to finish around 4.30pm.  Please come equipped wearing walking boots and with waterproofs, warm clothes, packed lunch and enough to drink.

Should the weather not be suitable for safe scrambling then we will offer an alternative itinerary on the day.

All of these days will involve some hill walking getting to and between scrambles, all of which will involve some steep slopes and possibly boggy ground.

Saturday 9th June
Scrambles on the north side of Kinder (Ashop Clough)

Sunday 1st July
Scrambles on the south side of Bleaklow

Saturday 14th July
Big scrambles – Big day out on Kinder Scout

Saturday 4th August
Scrambles on the north side of Bleaklow Pt.1

Sunday 12th August
Scrambles on the north side of Bleaklow Pt.2

Sunday 18th August
Scrambles from Crowden

Wednesday 25 April 2012

Peak District Walking Festival

Peak District Walking Festival
We are now six days into this years Peak District Walking Festival.  Mountain House Holidays are providing 15 walks in 18 days. So far there has been wind, rain, sleet, hail and snow on 5 of the six days! This is in great contrast to last years walking festival when we had warm sunshine every day.  Despite the weather we have managed to follow our programme each day though hopefully we will see an improvement in the next few days.
In addition to supporting the walking festival, Mountain House run a programme of guided walks; navigation courses and hill skills courses; and walking holidays in Spain's Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Mike and Jane who run Mountain House are qualified International Mountain Leaders and rock climbing instructors.