Wednesday 27 October 2010

Time to recce a new walk in Andalucia Southern Spain.

Adding to our ever increasing portfolio of Moderate to Moderate + walks.

La Maroma - standing high in the sky, summit 2069 mtrs in Andalucia Spain

Today’s walk up to La Maroma was going to be via the Camino de la Casa de la Nieve route, the old snow–gatherers’ path from Canillas and probably the most scenic and spectacular way up. This route is used in the summer when a moonlit pilgrimage takes place, climaxing with a sunrise on the summit.  


Today I am travelling solo, not my favourite thing as I really do prefer company!



Sunday 23rd Oct 2010 
Its 7am and I am off to tackle La Maroma in the Sierra Tejeda.  I had booked Saturday into my dairy to do this, but the weather forecast was sun / plenty of cloud. What I didn’t want was to arrive at the summit and not be able to soak up the wonderful views I was hoping for.
         
It was still dark when I arrived at Canillas de Aceituno around 7.45am. I then discovered that major street works were being carried out and this small white village had been closed to traffic. I drove back out of the village to park. Great start!
Now it was time to find the start point. I knew the walk started above the village but trying to navigate my way through a maze of walkways / paths amongst the small and pretty houses was far more difficult than I had anticipated..
45 mins after starting my search although a little frustrated, I was relieved to arrive at my start point to begin today’s little adventure. I was beginning to doubt my sense of direction!
           



















I thought I would put some mileage under my belt before I made a stop for breakfast. Breakfast was going to be a soft boiled egg and cold cooked bacon with a nice crusty bread roll. A bit like a BLT from Marks and Spencer but without the salad! As the sun rose and the moon started to disappear, I could see that choosing today had been a good decision and I was excited about what lay ahead.






What I was enjoying about this walk was every
time you turned a corner there was something
different to see which was great.
Looking back towards Lake Vinuela


I always start to get excited the higher I go, but when I came across the Cabra Montes or Spanish Ibex at about 1800 metres I just could not believe how many I could see close up. On previous walks you often hear then see a glimpse a fleeting ibex as you marvel how they can run up almost vertical cliff. However today was special a real joy.




I should mention again that this was a Sunday and I had not seen anyone else until this point. Slightly ahead of me I spotted two walkers.
I was not alone on the mountain.








 

Ahead of me I could see a young Spanish couple who seemed to be just as excited as me enjoying the Ibex. Having spent quite a lot of time taking photos and just enjoying watching these beautiful wild animals in their natural habitat I decided it was time to  crack on to  the summit. 







Looking ahead - 15 minutes later I was at the top and was not disappointed. There are several different ways to ascend La Maroma, so I was pleased to see just a few people sharing the summit and views with me.















Time to ask the young Spanish couple to take a photo of me on the summit to prove to my wife that I had been to work!




Having had a quick bite to eat I set off back down the same route as I ascended. Everything looked completely different as I worked my way slowly back down enjoying the wonderful views across to Lake Vinuela. On my return journey, I saw and noted other tracks leading off, perhaps another walk to recce but that will have to be for another day.








I arrived back at the start some 6+ hours later, tired but very pleased with my findings. I am sure this walk will be one for the future, however, I will have to walk it a few more times first.  

 The weather conditions for the day had been sunshine with just a very small scattering of clouds, temp 22c.

A terrific day out and a job well done!

3 comments:

  1. What a fantastic hill and brilliant photos of the ibex! those views look superb.

    Can you take us up there next time?

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  2. That looks great. Can I come too please?

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  3. Glad you liked the phots and views. Looking to carry out another new recce soon. Starting in the east at about 1200 mtrs and ascending for 300 mtrs and then follow the ridge line along to El Cielo at 1505 mtrs. Dropping down to 70 mtrs to have a beer in the village of Maro.Should offer great views of both coast and inland.

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