GUNUNG · Spanyol

Pico Almanzor

Information

Elevation: 2.591 m
Country: Spanyol (ES)
Location / Range: Sierra de Gredos, Sistema Central, Provinsi Ávila (Castilla y León)
Mountain type: Puncak granit tertinggi di Spanyol tengah (Sistema Central), mahkota massif Circo de Gredos di Sierra de Gredos
Volcanic?: No (non-volcanic)
Coordinates: 40.2467, -5.2978
Difficulty: Menengah–berat: pendekatan panjang berupa hiking, tetapi bagian puncak menuntut scrambling batu (kelas I–II) di antara balok granit; di musim dingin berubah menjadi pendakian alpine bersalju/es
Best Season: Akhir musim semi hingga awal musim gugur (Juni–September) untuk pendakian non-teknis; musim dingin butuh crampon, kapak es, dan keahlian alpine
Permits & Rules: Tidak ada izin khusus; berada di Parque Regional Sierra de Gredos. Bermalam/berkemah diatur — banyak pendaki menginap di Refugio Elola (Laguna Grande)
Hazards: Batu lepas akibat lelehan salju di kanal puncak, scrambling terekspos dekat Cuerno del Almanzor, cuaca gunung berubah cepat, kabut, dan salju/es di luar musim panas

Description

Pico Almanzor (2,591 m) is the highest mountain in central Spain and the summit of the Sistema Central, rising as a granite tower at the heart of the Circo de Gredos in the Sierra de Gredos, Ávila province. It is named after the 10th-century Caliphate of Córdoba general Al-Mansur (Almanzor, 'the victorious'). Its summit was first climbed in September 1899 by M. González de Amezúa and José Ibrián, with the first winter ascent in 1903; since 1960 a one-metre iron cross has marked the top. The normal route sets out from the Plataforma de Gredos, drops to the Laguna Grande near the Refugio Elola, then climbs a rocky gully and the Portilla del Crampón to a summit block that demands hand-over-foot scrambling — for many the only truly 'alpine' section of this long day hike. An ultra-prominent peak (prominence about 1,689 m), Almanzor offers sweeping views over the Circo de Gredos, its glacial lakes, and the Iberian ibex that thrive here. The weathered granite forms sharp needles (agujas) that make Gredos a paradise for Spanish hikers and climbers.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Dengan bermalam di Refugio Elola (Laguna Grande) — opsi dua hari

Menengah–berat — sama seperti vía normal, dipecah dua hari

2 hari (menginap di refugio, puncak esok pagi)

A variation that splits the climb over two days: on day one you walk from the Plataforma de Gredos to the Refugio Elola beside the Laguna Grande (about 1,945 m) to overnight, and on day two you tackle the summit via the gully and Portilla del Crampón, then return. It suits those who want to enjoy the Circo de Gredos unhurried and keep a weather buffer for the summit. The final scrambling and the need to watch for loose rock are the same as on the normal route.

Source

Vía Normal dari Plataforma de Gredos (via Laguna Grande & Portilla del Crampón)

Menengah–berat — hiking panjang lalu scrambling batu kelas I–II di blok puncak

19.00 km +1181 m ±7–9 jam pulang-pergi

The classic and most popular route. It starts from the Plataforma de Gredos car park (about 1,750 m), undulating to the Laguna Grande (about 2 hours) near the Refugio Elola, then enters a rocky gully and the Portilla del Crampón. The final section requires scrambling among granite blocks near the Cuerno del Almanzor before reaching the 2,591 m summit marker. The loop totals about 19 km with roughly 1,181 m of cumulative gain. Beware loose rock from snowmelt and exposure on the summit block; if in doubt, stop before the final block. In winter the route becomes an alpine climb needing crampons and an ice axe.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Accounts of climbing Pico Almanzor almost always split it into two parts: a long, beautiful approach across the Circo de Gredos, then a summit block that demands rock scrambling. Many hikers set out from the Plataforma de Gredos, drop to the Laguna Grande near the Refugio Elola, then tackle a rocky gully and the Portilla del Crampón to the top. Recurring themes: the distance (a roughly 19 km loop, about 1,181 m of cumulative gain, over 7 hours), a final section that requires using your hands among granite blocks and is not for those afraid of heights, and loose rock from snowmelt to watch for. The winter version becomes a full snowy alpine climb needing crampons and an ice axe. The reward: views over the Circo de Gredos, its glacial lakes, and frequent encounters with Iberian ibex.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.