10/09/2023 Bikepacking Spain Day 62 : Altrevesur – Sierra de la Baza

by Brian · Published October 9, 2023 · Updated March 3, 2024

Photos:

Today we rejoined the route that we began in 2019 called “Altrevesur”. We liked it so much that for four years, Janet said, “can we go back to Spain?” —

A little bit of pushing, but actually it was mostly fun and rideable singletrack. No people stories for you today because once we left our apartment in Baza, we saw no one. —

We considered sleeping in this abandoned house, but it was yucky inside. At 6k feet elevation, with a sudden cooling trend, it’s now cool, promising to be cold during the night. Quite a flip! —

Fall must have started last night. The first changing of the colors has begun at elevation. I was reading today that before the invention of refrigerators, people would walk up to these mountains and harvest ice, bringing it back to town to sell. We saw this in Ecuador too; it was a real thing. Here, though, there aren’t any glaciers… so what did people do during the summer for ice, the time they needed cooling the most? Aren’t you glad you live in 2023 instead of even just 100 years ago? —

Spain has many mountain ranges. This Sierra de Baza is a relatively small one, and we nearly crossed the whole thing today! Sometimes it seems a little silly to go up when you’re just going to have to go back down later… but it is places like this that make me so happy that I can’t stay away. —

Tonight’s camp, and time to start Spain’s “Sierra Nevada” tomorrow! —

Kind of interesting, this is an old Arab condensing system. They would put aromatic plants into the cauldron and capture and condense the vapors for essential oils and perfumes. —

Strava Comments:

Osman I.

Before refrigeration, the US imported ice from South America on ships. Saw dust served as insulation. It was big business. Not sure how tey did in Europe, but winter ice was stored to last through summer. I think it was kept in undreground caverns.

Ann L.

What beautiful country and nice trails. You are definitely in your happy place.

Judy I.

I just love the color in that first shot. All your photos are dreamy. Glad you are both in your happy places again.

terri W.

Such interesting terrain. You’ve really covered a lot of territory this trip. Interesting Arab Perfume condenser.

Paula G.

What is the main purpose of the road? No people there, an abandoned house. Makes me wonder if something that was once abundant disappeared. Looks really pretty and peaceful though.

Brian L.

Paula G - good question that I don’t know the answer to. You are probably right about the resources… the reason I found out about the people carrying down ice was because there was a historic trail for that. Maybe the road is for@cell phone towers.

Janet W.

Paula G maybe the dirt road over the mountains was built just for us! But likely also for livestock and some farming, even up high. People have lived here for thousands of years, so maybe some of them needed to “get away from it all”!

Janet W.

Brian Lucido you did a nice job of telling the story of our day. I’m glad it was so lonely and peaceful, and only a bit chilly! Tomorrow (now today) beckons!