Exit a beach hotel more than 30 degrees with a backpack, hiking boots, canes and warm clothing is like walking in bathing suit Perryridge in winter or presented with diving goggles and flippers to play golf. So I felt, with the sun in the neck reventándome, while leaving behind the Fanabe Costa Sur, on the southern coast of Tenerife, to carry out a commitment: Subir a pie al Teide (3.718 meters) and sunrise on the summit. I was accompanied by my old friend Fernando, at the time brother, I was going to try to get their particular ITV: three months after surgery knee ligament, and rehabilitation still pending, was convinced to complete the walk smoothly. I, I admit, not all me and, in case, we watched a "plan B", the cable car down if the knee is inflamed as a branch for the effort. In any case, his meritorious challenge dwarfed my challenge, being in full physical. The climb to the mountain was, as usual, an escape. In this case, help me digest the succession of seven days of beach.
The first setback surgío a month before flying to Tenerife. The limited permissions needed to reach the top (even from the end of the cable car, the overwhelming preference of tourists) already been distributed to all of August. That eliminated the possibility of the rise and fall on the same day. A 200 meters from the top, in The Rambleta, have prevented us keep walking. There was only one alternative, he also had an added incentive: overnight in the refugio de Altavista (3.260 meters) and to top the night to leave the restricted area before nine o'clock, when you start the access control (in this case, Shelter reservation exempts the permit).
My climbing partner was going to try to spend their particular ITV three months after surgery knee ligament
Through the web www.telefericoteide.com booked our two seats in the shelter for the night 22 August (24 euros per person), which would allow us to summit the next day at dawn. Once there, was only renting a car to take us to the car park at the foot of the volcano White Mountain. That's exactly what we were about to do, our belated outfit dressed mountaineer, that hot August morning after picking up the picnic we had prepared on site. And Canarias.com paid 40 euros for a day of car (one Ibiza almost new), with the advantage that allowed us to remove it at two in the afternoon and return the next day at the same time (otherwise, should have paid two days rental).
After a brief foray into the TF-1 motorway, turn off on the TF-51 towards Arona and Vilaflor, is proud to be the highest village in Spain, a 1.400 meters above sea level (with permission of the municipality of Valdelinares - Teruel exists!-, located 1.695 meters). From this point, the landscape of vineyards and cacti give way to a large pine forest, unfortunately undermined by fire, which flows into the National Park Canadas del Teide and the overwhelming Llano Ucanca (1.960 meters), a gigantic caldera from where the view of Teide, with its ravines and lava flows, is superb. Leaving behind the cable car (2.250 meters) and continuing on the same road, two kilometers further on we, an hour after leaving Let Coast, the White Mountain small parking (km. 40,7), only twelve places, located to the left of the pathway. Altavista Refuge separate us almost 1.000 vertical meters and the whole afternoon ahead (began to walk at a quarter to four).
The hike begins with a boring track 4,7 km seems magnetized by the sun
In this first installment, climbing a boring track (as are all) the 4,7 km (if your GPS does not fail) that seems magnetized by the sun and it does not require great efforts, but patience. In any case, is good to pick up the pace and at least is enlivened by the agglomeration of so-called Huevos del Teide (50 minutes from the parking), Large boulders ejected by the volcano distributed by the slope like billiard balls marooned. Not a single shadow glimpsed in tens of meters around.
After an hour and a quarter track ends right at the confluence of trails leading to White Mountain (left) and the Teide (right). A good place to take a break before tackling the zigzag, now they save considerable gap, should lead to Altavista refuge. No loss. A sign indicates the rise to The Rambleta, signposted route number 7, by lava flows between. We are sitting on the guts of the Teide and, judging by this heat, you'd think we've filled backpack unnecessarily outerwear.
Large boulders ejected by the volcano are distributed across the hillside like billiard balls marooned
The succession of curves reserves needs to be tackled and I, I have not eaten before leaving the hotel, I have meager despite the nuts last minute. From the first meters, I do not feel comfortable. I can hardly pick up the pace, essential to undertake any rise. Few sensations more pleasurable to go saving the gap when accompanying forces and rhythm, if demanding, does not remove the air. In contrast, up to missteps, without compass and head for answers bubbling is the closest thing I know to a ordeal. Who has ever seen such a tessitura in the mountains know what I mean.
My partner, with battered knees without help of canes, cooler climbs and the distance between the two can only increase. Useless primed increasing stride, because that stubbornness does it worse. Do not even try and take a step after another knowing that have to suffer and no other. About to reach the shelter, whose presence announces an antenna that looks into the abyss, dry brake warning Fernando. I need to eat something. Five minutes and an energy bar is enough to catch his breath and make the last leg in better spirits. It's half past six p.m. when we Altavista (two hours 45 minutes from the White Mountain parking), a 3.260 meters. Just in time, half an hour because the rooms are spread (in our sleeping 14 People). No need to rush to the race for the top bunk. Quite rightly, The shelter guard assigns them in an orderly fashion to avoid disturbances. Not all have walked up to the shelter, Some have done cable car descending walk to Altavista to make the ascent from here tomorrow.
Up to stumble, without compass and head for answers bubbling is the closest thing I know to a ordeal
I had read conflicting reports about the shelter. Including, that the wifi was free. But, a poster on a euro fixed price of ten minutes of free time, and five and a half. No meals are served, but there is a kitchen that can be used (tableware including, which must then scrub). Yes, a machine can acquire water bottles (3 EUR) and coca-cola (4 EUR), among other soft. In the shelter can not leave no garbage. You have to carry it in your backpack.
The time grows short in Altavista. At half past seven, with our assigned bunks, we're having dinner cold meats Hotel. It is refueling the body but also, almost to the same extent, download weight for the day tomorrow, on the night that we save almost 500 vertical meters that separate us from the summit. And all before the flood of tourists arrive at the cable car Rambleta, what continues to give the matter some furtive, as if we were forced to leave no trace.
At half past seven, with our assigned bunks, we're having dinner. It is refueling the body but also, almost to the same extent, weight download
Night falls on the slopes of Teide. The thermometer reads ten degrees. Now is when your coat begins to justify the trip. We hit the string with the guardian of Altavista, start your vacation tomorrow and will be relieved by a fellow. Hard life of these guides, isolated from the world 3.000 meters, surrounded by an ocean of solidified lava. "Dropping out of the way and not know the area, warns- You can hit two days around the Teide ». And remember the five days we walked fighting with the volcanic rocks to build a pipeline from the cable car to the shelter that would ensure water supply. The conversation goes as day, but before surprised to hear that in this landscape have so bleak are hunted rabbits (with ferret) and mouflon.
"Dropping out of the way and not know the area, warns the keeper of the shelter- You can hit two days around the Teide »
At half past nine we're in bed, thirty minutes before you turn off the light. Tomorrow get up early, because we have to leave at half past five in the shelter for about seven top, just to see the sunrise. There is silence. Sleep is another thing. They should be more than two when I get it, I think the eso.
