The Mighty Alcazaba
Alcazaba 3369m is the 3rd highest peak in the Sierra Nevada and yet, in my opinion, it is undoubtedly the finest. Mulhacen, being the highest, is very popular and has a refuge close by. Veleta is easily accessible so has many people visiting it's summit. Alcazaba though, needs a bit more thought.
It's a more remote peak so you have either a very long and ardous day or you have to wild camp. I would always choose to wild camp, usually at the upper lakes of Siete Lagunas or Laguna de las Calderetas to the north.
Alcazaba, "The Fortress", is well named. It is guarded on 3 sides by cliffs, although there are trekking ways through those defences. A few days ago we started from Laguna de Borreguil (Siete Lagunas) and reached the Alcazaba summit plateau via a steep scree gully named "El Colaero", which brought us out at the col between Puntal de la Cornisa 3316m and PeΓ±on del Globo 3296m. It's a short stroll from there to Alcazaba summit.
For something different we came back to Siete Lagunas via PeΓ±on del Globo and the rough, mainly pathless ridge heading south east. We had taken our time, savouring the situations, but this meant we had missed the bus connection from Alto de Chorillo, adding another hour and a half walk in the hot sun down the dirt track.
#hiking #backpacking #walking #mountains #spain #photography #landscape #landscapephotography #outdoors #andalucia
