Winter Sun Hiking in Gran Canaria

Dramatic mountain scenery, warm settled climate, a myriad of ancient trails, Spain, with just a touch of Africa!  These are just a few of the highlights of our trip to Gran Canaria in February 2015.

We were aiming for a week relaxing in the sun, but not really being beach people, the hills and mountains beconned from the very start, and we were soon driving towards the mountainous centre of the island, with increasingly dramatic scenery.

Gran Canaria is part of Spain, so our moderate Spanish was useful, though not quite the same as southern Spain, as we discovered when trying to order our usual 'tostada con tomate' only to find that toast was not usually eaten for breakfast, nor tomato and olive oil readily available!  However we saw lots of tomatoes growing near the coast, together with banana, mango and avocado plantations, some rather weird cacti, stunning bougainvillea and almond blossom.

Back to the walking; many of the trails we walked were old Camino Reales - ancient trails, with a similar status to the English rights of way, which are gradually being restored and waymarked for walkers. Although there are coastal walks, the best routes we found were in the centre of the island, where the scenery is varied and often dramatic. We found ourselves walking through forest, hillsides covered in pink almond blossom, rocky, almost lunar Landscape, and lush green valleys; indeed a 'continent in miniature' as the island is sometimes described. 

Probably our best walk took us to the summit of Pico de Las Nieves - no snow to be seen, indeed sadly not a lot to be seen the day we were there, as the final 100m was shrouded in mist!  However it was a great walk, with a wonderful descent through spectacular terrain.

We did have a couple of days exploring and particularly enjoyed wandering We around the fishing boats of Puerto Morgan, and dramatic drive northwest from the pretty village of All in all a good trip, with lots more walking to be done. We are already planning a return trip to lead a guided walking holiday on Gran Canaria in 2016 - everyone deserves a break from the British winter! So why not join us.

Climbing Mt Olympus

Climbing Mt Olympus

Mt Olympus 2918m is the highest mountain in Greece.  Although Olympus is a name familiar to everyone in the western world, very few know much about this mountain and even fewer have climbed this rocky peak.

Mt Olympus, Home of The Gods!

British based walking holiday company, Mountain Walking Holidays are now pleased to announce that they are including a walking trip to climb Mt Olympus in their programme for 2015.

Snow covers Olympus from November until late May making the exposed upper section tricky to cross. The rocky summit continues to delight everyone who makes the ascent as it did the ancient gods.

We meet at Thessaloniki airport, drive to Litochoro, where we will stay in guesthouse accommodation. The following day we walk high into the mountains, initially through ancient forest. We continue steeply up the mountainside to reach the spectacular Muses plateau, where we will spend the night. The refuge has dormitory accommodation, blankets and pillows, but you will need to carry a sheet sleeping bag and slippers or flip-flops.

Mytikas Summit from Skala

An early start will enable us to make a traverse of the mountain to reach Mytikas, the summit of Olympus at 2901m. This part of the climb can be difficult, involving some scrambling, so you will need a head for heights. If time and conditions allow, we will continue on to scale Skala at 2866m before making our descent down to one of the lower refuges.

The final day we walk through the spectacular Enipeas Gorge to return to Litochoro and a well earned celebratory meal.

The Olympus National park has been recognised as an “area of international importance for the environment of mankind”. It is dedicated to the protection of the natural habitat of plant and animal wildlife. You may spot wild animals such as goats, deer or the wild boar and eagles, or vultures. The slopes are particularly well known for their plants, which attract lots of butterflies.

Ariel view of Mt Olympus in winter

Temperatures in the mountains can be very variable, ranging from hot sun to wind and rain. The proximity to the sea give Mount Olympus a it is a Mediterranean climate, i.e. hot and dry in summer, but the mountain gets lots of rain and wind, so you will need to be prepared. Daytime temperatures are likely to be in the low 20’s centigrade. Sun screen and hats are essential as is windproof and waterproof clothing.

Mountain Walking Holidays are run by Jane Livingstone and Michael Hunt, both qualified as International Mountain Leaders.

Details of this Holiday and how to book are on the Mountain Walking Holidays website.

Why Use a Qualified Guide in The Mountains?

Why Use a Qualified Guide in The Mountains outside the U.K.?

That’s it, I’ve submitted my logbook of CPD training to the “training officer” and been passed as current satisfying the training requirements to continue as an InternationalMountain Leader!  It takes effort to stay qualified…………

IML's Practicing Navigation at Night

The only British qualifications valid for taking people into the mountains outside the U.K. are either the International Mountain Leader (IML) or the Mountain Guide (IFMGA). Those holding these qualifications are members of professional associations who issue their guides carnets to operate on an annual basis.

Assessing People in The Mountains Course, PyB

Overseeing these qualifications in the U.K. are:

i.   BMG         British Mountain Guides;     and

ii.  BAIML    British Association of International Mountain Leaders.

IFMGA Guides can operate on terrain where the use of ropes and technical mountaineering will be necessary.

IML’s operate on terrain where ropes and technical equipment are not routinely required, though are trained in their use (just in case).

IML’s have to be able to demonstrate that their skills are current through CPD training and hold a current wilderness 1^st aid certificate along with appropriate liability insurance.

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My Carnet (front and back)

At the point of renewing my carnet on January 1^st this year, I was asked to demonstrate that I had enough current and relevant training. This I duly did and “passed muster.” My carnet has been reissued allowing me to continuepractising as an IML.

Since qualifying as an IML in March 2010 I have undertaken 10 days of (CPD) training including the following:

Teaching Navigation (2 courses);

Altitude Sickness;

The Mountain Environment;

Glaciation;

Assessing People in The Mountains;  and

Teaching Hill and Mountain Skills.

All of this CPD is in addition to the rigorous training and assessment both summer and winter to obtain the qualification in the first place.

Nasty Leg Wound! Wilderness 1st Aid Course

The one thing that I am confident in saying is that you not only get a qualified guide when you hire an IML, but you get someone who is “current” and the added value bought with the volume of CPD opportunities. By hiring an International Mountain Leader to guide you in the mountains not only should you be safe, but the level of environmental interpretation should be 1^st Class.

Working overseas for much of the year, mainly in Spain, I am amazed at the increasing number of Brits who set up walking businesses, call themselves guides and proceed to operate illegally (as unlike the U.K., you need to hold a qualification to lead people for money in Spain). Unfortunately it will take a fatality before these people are investigated.

So there you have it!  When booking your walking holidays in the hills or mountains ask if your guide will be qualified (and insured).  A qualified guidecarries a “carnet” and their website and advertising should display the correct logo.

IML Ropework Refresher Course

Walking in The Alpujarra

Walking in The Alpujarra

The Alpujarra is the area that is the southern slopes of Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Having walked all over Europe and in North Africa, I can honestly say that the walking here is unsurpassed. This is hill walking terrain rather than mountain walking of the high Sierra Nevada. It is characterized by steep sided valleys, terraces and pretty white washed villages.

Walking in The TaHa

 Although many of these pretty white washed villages provide a good base to stay, Capileira is undoubtedly the best place to base yourself. There are several good day walks to be had straight from the village and other walks could be had by either driving out or by catching the bus.

Busquistar, a village in The TaHa

Sierra Nevada Guides have some walks already written up on their website and run a programme of guided walks in the spring (April, May and early June). If you are thinking of a walking holiday for your walking club, then Mountain House Holidays are able to organize a package for you. A full board, fully guided week from £695.

It’s hard to pick out a favorite walk as there are so many to choose from, and according to season when flowers are out. Undoubtedly walking in the Rio Poqueira from Capileira or in the Taha de Pitres provide the best walking. It is also possible to venture up into the Sierra Nevada without having to tackle the mountains. Hoya del Portillo above Capileira provides a good starting point. Only half an hour above Hoya brings us to the viewpoint of Puerto Molino where the higher summits can clearly be seen, especially Mulhacen (the highest mountain in mainland Spain) and Veleta the 2^nd highest in the Sierra Nevada.

Walking in the Alpujarra can get too hot in July and August.  Good times are March to June and September to November.  That said, if the sun is out, it is possible to walk in T shirts throughout the winter!

T Shirts in winter!

Capileira

If you are restricted to the height of summer, there are several walks to be had in the high mountains where it is cool at altitude. It is possible to catch the National Park bus from Capileira to Mirador Trevelez 2700m asl. You can expect the tempreture at 3000m to be around 15 to 20 degrees during the afternoon in July if it is not windy. With wind chill you might be looking to wear a fleece or jacket.

From Mirador Trevelez, the old road leads to The Caldera at just over 3000m. From here a path leads down the Rio Mulhacen and you can make a circuit via the Refugio Poqueira (food, drinks and toilets) before returning to the bus at Mirador Trevelez.

Maps and English guidebooks are available locally, but to help with your planning, they can be obtained in advance from Stanfords. The Editorial Alpina map / guide to the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra is a good start. Spanish maps are usually flimsy so consider getting your map laminated before you go.

Accommodation is plentiful. Pensions, Hotels and self catering are all available. If you are planning to visit in the hotter months (mid June through until the end of September, look for somewhere with a pool or plunge pool.  It’s great to cool off after a good walk!

Mountain House Holidays for a full board, fully guided weeks holiday from £695.

Sierra Nevada Guides

Walks to Download

Programme of guided walks – Spring

Programme of guided walks - Summer

Mountain House Holidays and Sierra Nevada Guides are the only qualified British guides (International Mountain Leaders) based in the Alpujarra / Sierra Nevada.

Walking in Slovenia’s Julian Alps

Walking in Slovenia’s Julian Alps

We first discovered Slovenia’s Julian Alps on a weeks Spring break in May / June 2011.  Since then we have spent a further 5 weeks getting to know the area in some depth.

Lake Bohinj

The Julian Alps are believed to be named after Julius Caesar and are the highest mountains in Slovenia with at Triglav 2864m the highest summit. The Slovene people are rightly proud of their mountaineering heritage and the national flag has Triglav represented on it. There is a “saying” in Slovenia that you are only a true Slovene if you have climbed Triglav.

As an alpine nation, its mountains are not as high as those in neighbouring countries but they are equally spectacular. There is an extensive network of mountain huts throughout its mountains making it quite possible to stay for longer periods high up without having to keep descending to a valley base each evening.

Martagon Lilly

Our first trip was in the spring of 2011.  Too early to access the high paths and summits because the high mountains were full of snow. We were able to walk to the summer pastures on the low alps where the cows were being taken up to from the villages and the wild spring flowers were very impressive. We were surprised at the warm weather, though the proximity to the Mediterranean generally gives a warmer and more stable climate than the western alps.

The second trip we made was for two weeks in August 2011.  The paths and mountains were now mostly clear of snow and we were able to explore the extensive network of paths and huts in the high mountains. Especially memorable was seeing both Edelweiss and the rare, endemic, Zoiss Bellflower.

We returned again for two weeks in 2013, this time leading walking holidays for Mountain House Holidays. We led two, week long holidays and were able to take our clients to the summit of Triglav. We became true Slovenes!

In September, 2014 we had the privilege to return once more leading a hut to hut walking holiday for Mountain House Holidays. Memorable on this trip was the accordion playing that we experienced at all of the huts we stayed at.

Pogacnikov Dom

Zoiss Bellflower

Situated less than an hours drive from Ljubiana Airport, the Julian Alps are very accessible. There are flights from both London Stanstead and Luton airports. We have found car hire quite cheap though there are taxi’s and mini-bus taxi’s available. By booking them in advance these also work out quite cheaply.

If you are planning to visit in springtime, there are lots of flowers out in late May and early June. An ideal base would be around Lake Bohinj. There are plenty of hotels, guest houses and hostels here to suit all. Hostel 13 in Studor offers good clean basic self catering accommodation. Hotel Starre offers good hotel accommodation.

Edleweiss

For summer hut to hut trips you need a start and end point. The Aljazev Dom at the head of the valley above the village of Mojstrana has a massive “wow” factor that it overlooks the mighty north face of Triglav. This is one of the few huts that has showers and you can get a taxi or drive to within about 400m of the hut. We have also left bags here with our clean travelling clothes to return to on several occasions.

If you want a guided itinerary, Mountain House Holidays will help you sort out a suitable itinerary and provide you with a qualified International Mountain Leader who has knowledge of these beautiful mountains.

Mike and Jane from Mountain House Holidays are always willing to advise you to plan your walking holiday in Slovenia.

Chamois

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

Munro Walking Holiday 2015, Torridon

Munro Walking Holiday with Mountain House Holidays

Following on from successful holidays over the past two years based in Kinlochleven and Roy Bridge, Mountain House Holidays will be running their annual Munro climbing holiday in Torridon (Kinlochewe) during August 2015. The week is intended for keen mountain walkers who have some experience of rock scrambling but who would like to undertake these mountains supervised by qualified International Mountain Leaders.

The Magic of Climbing Munro's

Some of the days will be long and strenuous and (weather permitting) are likely to include:

A Dry Day

Maol Chean-derg 933m           

Beinn Alligin(2 Munros)            

Tom na Gruagaich 922m

Sgurr Mhor 986m

Liathach (2 Munros)                        

Spidean a Choire Leith 1055m

Mullach an Rathain 1023m

Beinn Eighe (2 Munros)                      

Spidean Coire nan Clach 993m

Ruadh–stac Mor 1010m

A Wet Day, but this is Scotland!

Slioch            981m                                            

Bienn Liath Mor 926m           

Sgorr Ruadh 962m                       

Shorter alternatives 
(for possible wet weather / rest days):

Fionn Bheinn 933m 

Moruisg 928m      

Mike and Jane from Mountain House Holidays, both International Mountain Leaders and climbing instructors (SPA’s) will be supervising this holiday themselves.

How this holiday works.

Enjoying the views

You sort out your own accommodation and transport to Torridon / Kinlochewe.

You sort out your own meals.

On the first evening we shall meet at the Kinlochewe Hotel at 8pm for introductions and to plan the itinerary and meeting time / place for the first walk.

Each evening we shall meet up in Kinlochewe to plan the following days itinerary.

Dates:

15^th to 22^nd August 2015,  
(Six daily walks 16^th to 21^st August).

Cost:

£250 for the week, includes all guiding. Some places may be available on a daily basis at £50 per day.           

Booking:

This can be done direct on the Mountain House Holidays Website

More Scottish Magic!