Lorraine Williamson
As winter settles over inland Andalucia, the Guardia Civil has warned once again how quickly a routine hike can unravel. Their latest intervention — a mountain rescue in Malaga involving two 22-year-olds near Tolox — underlines how even experienced walkers can be caught out by plunging temperatures and poor equipment.
The pair had reached one of Sierra de las Nieves’ high points, a rugged massif shaped by wind and limestone, when their problems began. One lost his shoes as the soles peeled away on the rocky terrain. Neither carried warm layers, a risky oversight as dusk approached and the thermometer fell.
A distress call brought the GREIM mountain unit to the scene. Officers arrived with emergency kit, offering blankets and replacement footwear so the group could begin a supervised descent. The men were cold and tired but still able to move. That changed within minutes.
Hiker collapses on exposed ridge
Near a spring on the mountainside, one of the walkers suddenly lost consciousness. The location was exposed, winds had picked up, and temperatures were dropping fast — a combination that can trigger hypothermia in moments. Rescue workers feared cardiac arrest as he failed to respond.
Additional medical teams were deployed. After several tense minutes, officers managed to stabilise him before carrying him across steep, uneven terrain to an ambulance waiting further down the slope. He was taken to hospital. No update has yet been released on his condition.
Another call-out in the same week
It was the second emergency of the week for Malaga’s rescue units. Earlier, a lone hiker became stranded after climbing a different peak at dawn to watch the sunrise. He contacted emergency services when he realised he could not descend safely. Fortunately, that operation ended without injury.
A national park where winter bites hard
Sierra de las Nieves is one of Andalucia’s wildest protected landscapes. Its highest summit rises 1,919 metres and commands sweeping views over deep ravines and dense pine forests. Since gaining national park status in 2021, visitor numbers have grown. So have rescue missions, particularly during winter when conditions can deteriorate in minutes.
Altitude, sudden cloud cover and sharp wind chill create a climate that bears little resemblance to the coast below. Rangers say the contrast often misleads visitors who set off from warm valleys with summer clothing, unaware that temperatures near the peaks can drop below freezing even on clear days.
Spain is a hiker´s paradise
Guardia Civil urges better preparation
Following this latest incident, officers repeated a simple message: the mountains demand respect. Proper boots, layered clothing and a realistic plan are essential. Even short routes can become treacherous when darkness falls or equipment fails.
With winter hikes growing in popularity, the Guardia Civil warns that good preparation remains the most effective safety measure — a reminder underscored by the dramatic rescue near Tolox.
Winter’s hidden risks in Andalucia’s highlands
As more hikers explore Spain’s national parks year-round, rescue teams are witnessing the widening gap between enthusiasm and preparation. This week’s emergency shows how quickly exposure can overwhelm even healthy young walkers. As the season progresses, authorities expect more call-outs — and hope awareness will rise just as fast.
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