Bill Innes - Tres Picos Challenge August 2017

Bill Innes - Tres Picos Challenge August 2017

Did this with my youngest daughters (Morag,19 and Rhona,14) as a sponsored challenge for the charity Help Refugees and organised for us by Spanish Highs. We met Richard and Kierstan met us at Hotel Espana in Lanjaron on eve of our trip where we were introduced to Felipe our guide. All very friendly and informal. We had booked Hotel Espana through Spanish Highs. Very friendly staff in a traditional hotel. Helpfully we were able to leave luggage in our room for the duration of the 3 day trek.

We started out the next day for Alcazaba which was rough reaching our starting off point about midday and not being climatised. Nonetheless we made it to the summit and then over a number of passes to the Refuge pretty whacked with Felipe's support. Restless night in Refugio Poquiera due to an epic snorer above us! Consider taking ear plugs. Next day Felipe guided us up Veleta and back to the refuge on remote routes with dramatic scenery all the way. Really odd getting to the top and meeting hordes who came up from the Granada side. Again on our 3rd day Felipe guided us up to the summit of Mulhacen and back via different routes to complete our challenge.

Felipe is obviously an extremely competent all round mountaineer and guide. I was always certain my daughters and me were in god hands. Anyone wanting a really tough 3 day challenge this is for you. If you have the time it may be better to have a day at altitude before tackling Los Tres Picos.

The Sierra Nevada are brilliant mountains and if and when I return I'll certainly be contacting Spanish Highs.