Spain in June: snow...

Today is the big day: we're going to attack the Pico Veleta, at an height above sea level of 3394 meter; it will be a record breaking height (with the bike) for all of us. First thing I noticed today, it's cold: 6 C, that's rather cold but due to the fact that we starting with a climb, I decide to go for shorts and only arm warmers, which was a good decision. But before leaving I take the opportunity for a large panorama now that the sky is still void of clouds.


The first part of the climb we already know from yesterday, but yesterday we did it in the other direction which was faster and easier. Now this first part is hard work, and is the steepest we'll do today.
After this steep bit, the track continues where we stopped yesterday (in other words we're back at 2711 and ascended the descent of yesterday). From now on the road has a more comfortable rising grade, we continue climbing but regularly stop to absorb the scenery.

In this environment you don't expect too much people, but all of sudden we see in the distance a runner, and he's gaining ground on us. After a while he catches us and we see it's the Spanish guy from the refugio, in the evening we hear that he had run up Mulhacen. . But our target for today is Pico Veleta, we pass the first snow easily and continue to follow to route at the foot of Mulhacen.

And the climbing continues steadily, no more vegetation at this height only rocks and a lost snow patch. We pass an emergency refugio which is nothing more then four walls, a roof and some beds to provide you with the necessary shelter at this height, but we don't need it now luckily.

Further up we can see the road carved in the mountain, the grade of the route is appealing: not steep just steady climbing; which is a good thing because of the height which has now broken the 3000m mark. At this altitude we ride continuously in the clouds, but it changes so quickly that we often see a small patch in the clouds and the sun shines on us. Finally we reach the hole in the mountain which gives us the easy access to the other side, Pico Veleta is not far anymore, we can almost though it.

After regrouping at this point we continue our route up, but
this snow patch is too large for my liking, so I stop and wait for the rest; Nicky however already starts the attack of the snow patch on the left side, which means 3 meters of snow on the right and a drop on the left of several meters, but after 5 meters she sees that it's undoable and sees I'm waiting.

I suggest to lunch here and returning back, too me it looked too dangerous to attempt this with the bike; certainly because further up we could so hikers struggling up on another snow patch. The group agrees and after lunch and after some picture taking moments, we put on some clothes and start the descend which will bring us back to the refugio. But I decide to snake bite my rear tire again, which is fixed in no time, finally we reach the refugio which is bathing in the sun.
Arriving there we stride us all on the stairs and enjoy the scenery, sun and each others company, the rest of the evening is the same as yesterday: showering, drinking, resting, talking, eating, some more drinking, talking and finally sleeping.

Is was a lovily day today we didn't reach our goal, we stranded on 3130m; but no one is really disappointed, we all look at the bright side: we can come back to try it again...
More pictures
Statistics: 27.5 km

Height gain: 950 hm

Height profile: