Mountain House News

Greetings from Mountain House Holidays

Peak Navigation Courses       &   Sierra Nevada Guides

It has been great to meet lots of you over the summer, which saw us spending time in Spain, Scotland, Swaziland and Slovenia.  Now we are back in Derbyshire and the nights are drawing in, we are working on our programme for 2015, and wanted to share a few of our ideas with our friends and customers.

Mt. Olympus, "home of the Gods"

 New for Next Year:

A 5 Day mini break 

"Mt. Olympus, home of the Gods" 

the highest mountain in Greece. This is a walking itinerary but with some “exposed” paths. If you are interested in joining us, we’d really like to hear from you.

Munro bagging in Torridon, some of the more difficult mountains in Scotland. Six days of guided walking.

Navigation Course, October

We are trying out a new navigation course, designed for more 'mature' walkers, who are available during the week, and would appreciate learning in a smaller group or at a slower pace.  If you know anyone who might be interested in Map Reading for Mature Walkers, do pass on the information.

Don’t forget: All our navigation courses can be bought as gifts, so why not choose one (or 2) for friends and family this Christmas.

Sierra Nevada Guides are once again hosting a week of winter skills training in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains. This year we plan to spend most of the week at the Poqueira Refuge, high in the mountains where we can put the new skills to good use.

Winter Skills Training Course in The Sierra Nevada in February

Next spring and summer we will be spending more time in Spain, so if you are interested in joining us during April, May, June, July & early August we can offer daily guided walks from the wonderful base of the hotel Alcadima starting and finishing at a date of your choice. (We were fortunate to spend a few days in September as guests at the Alcadima and really enjoyed the experience.) Our programme of daily walks cost 40 Euro's per day.

We always appreciate hearing from you with feedback, suggestions and requests for trips. If you are part of a group we can offer special rates on our holidays, or design a map reading, navigation or GPS course specially for you, so let us know what you would like.

Best wishes

Mike & Jane

Walking in The Sierra Nevada with Mountain House Holidays

Walking in The Sierra Nevada with Mountain House Holidays

Mike and Jane bought their Mountain House - Finca Montaña in 2002 and started to explore the Alpujarra and mountains of The Sierra Nevada. As Mountain House Holidays, they started organising walking holidays based from the Alpujarran Spa Town of Lanjaron in 2003.

Mulhacen 3482m from The Caldera Refuge 3060m

In the ten years since they started, they believe that they have refined their holidays into a genuine quality product. Most holidays are now based at the stunning Hotel Alcadima which is a holiday experience in itself. “Somedays it’s hard to get our guests out walking as the restful gardens and pool are so appealing!”

 

The Star of the Snows -Estrella de las Nieves and Gentians

The Sierra Nevada is Spain’s largest national park and is home to over 60 endemic species giving it perhaps the widest bio-diversity in Europe. The mountain walking here is stunning whether you want to scale mainland Spain’s highest mountain, Mulhacen 3482m or enjoy the array of alpine flowers and wildlife. There is something to suit everyone’s ability and taste. Some of the holidays organised by Mountain House Holidays spend a night or two up at the Refugio Poqueira 2500m, nestling under the south west flank of Mulhacen and with great views of both the mountains and out over the Mediterranean sometimes with glimpses of the mountains of North Africa.

Iberian Ibex

Mike and Jane supported by their friend and neighbour Martin, lead all of the holidays themselves so there is a real connection with your holiday company and genuine local knowledge often lacking with the larger companies who bring staff into the area. Additionally, Mike, Jane and Martin are all qualified International Mountain Leaders which is the qualification required in Spain to take people into the mountains.

In addition to organising holidays for individuals or even large groups, Mike, Jane and Martin have established “Sierra Nevada Guides” who undertake a range of mountain guiding throughout the year.  Sierra Nevada Guides are the only qualified British guides (IML’s) operating in the Sierra Nevada.

Starting the ascent of Trevenque

The range of holidays and activities provided by Mountain House Holidays includes:  Walking in The Alpujarra;  Walking in The Sierra Nevada; Snowshoeing;  Rock Scrambling;  and Rock Climbing.

For those wanting to experience living in a remote mountain cortio, it is possible to stay with Mike and Jane at Finca Montaña who do B & B and full board packages.