Dawn on the Raspones de Rio Secohow these gentle camps punctuate the
more formal grammar of our busy days
on the rock. Richard tells us later that the
water from the spring takes seven years to
reach his home town. Our last full day lies
up above, terminating in our inal 3,000m
peak, sitting like some kind of supranatural
egg on the horizon.
his river’s source seems to me to be a
deeply resonant place – literally a well of life.
Late the next morning, more exploratory
scrambling takes us up to the Tajos Altos, a
snaking broken-toothed jumble of a ridge
that here in Spain is merely an exit from
the range, but which would have a top ten
reputation back in the UK.
hat night we limp into the Casa Tello, a
derelict forestry station slowly being
absorbed back into the land. Ater a week of
austere angles and smashed schists, the
contrast of damp earth, busy insects,
colourful lowers and heady herbs is
overwhelming. Good God, there are even
blackberry bushes. All that and now this too,
packed hard into a week – what a compact
and sustained adventure it had been. I don’t
bother with my tarp, setting up my bivi bag
under a tall Cedar. Cicadas thrum, branches
sway in the saline breeze. It is time to go
down to the town, and I suppose I am ready
to concede to that. All I really want though,
is to shower, resupply and carry on.A PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR
David Lintern will be returning to the
Sierra Nevada this June to lead a six-day
photographic trek following the Los Tres
Miles route. Accompanied by local guide
Richard Hartley, the aim is to visit at a
time of year when the weather is more
stable and focus on the photographic
potential. The route will avoid the more
vertiginous sections, visiting snow
tunnels, alpine lakes and meadows, and
plenty of summits. Planned highlights
include Alcazaba for sunset, and a
traverse of the north face of Mulhacen
(as described in the feature).For more information and to book a place,
please visit: http://www.davidlintern.com/
tuition-sierra-nevada/The Great Outdoors Spring 2019 69