| Mulhacén | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,479 m (11,414 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 3,285 m (10,778 ft)[2] Ranked 64th |
| Isolation | 527.9 km (328.0 mi) to Jbel Ayachi |
| Listing | Ultra |
| Coordinates | 37°03′12″N3°18′41″W / 37.05333°N 3.31139°W /37.05333; -3.31139[1] |
| Geography | |
  Mulhacén Location in Spain Show map of Spain Mulhacén Mulhacén (Andalusia) Show map of Andalusia | |
 | |
| Country | Spain |
| Community | Andalusia |
| Province | Granada |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Unknown (before 1500)[3] |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Mulhacén ([mulaˈθen]), with an elevation of 3,479 metres (11,414 ft), is the highestmountain inpeninsular Spain and in all of theIberian Peninsula. It is part of theSierra Nevada range in thePenibaetic System. It is named afterAbu'l-Hasan Ali, known asMuley Hacén in Spanish, the penultimate Muslim ruler ofGranada in the 15th century who, according to legend, was buried on the summit of the mountain. It is still known in present-dayArabic asJabal Mawla el-Hassan (Mountain of Mawla el-Hassan).
Mulhacén is the highest peak inSouthern Europe[note 1] outside of theAlps. It is also the third-most prominent peak in Western Europe, afterMont Blanc andMount Etna, and is ranked 64th in the world by prominence.[2] The peak is not exceptionally dramatic in terms of steepness or local relief. The south flank of the mountain is gentle and presents no technical challenge, as is the case for the long west ridge. The shorter, somewhat steeper northeast ridge is slightly more technical. The north face of the mountain is much steeper and offers several routes involving moderately steep climbing on snow and ice (up toFrench grade AD) in the winter.[3]
Mulhacén can be climbed in a single day from the villages of eitherCapileira orTrevélez, but it is more common to spend a night at the mountain refuge at Poqueira, or in the bare shelter at Caldera to the west. Those making the ascent from Trevélez can alsobivouac at thetarns to the northeast of the peak.
On 5 March 2006, three British climbers fromTeesside died on the mountain from suspectedhypothermia. Initial reports quoting theSpanish Civil Guard stated that the three were ill-equipped for the extreme conditions. This claim was subsequently disputed both by the family and a colleague of one of the climbers, and by one of the rescuers.[4][5] A plaque dedicated to them has been placed at the summit.[6]
Media related toMulhacén at Wikimedia Commons| International | |
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