Sea to Summit Spain

The very nature of adventure means that the unexpected can sometimes become part of the journey and that is all part of the experience. While we will always strive to deliver “Plan A”, there may be occasions where operational, safety, weather or environmental factors require us to adapt plans and implement contingency routes or alternative arrangements.

As with all Rat Race adventures, participant safety and overall event delivery remain our highest priorities. We therefore reserve the right to amend routes, itineraries or logistics where necessary, using the experience and judgement of our expedition team to make the best decisions on your behalf in changing conditions. Wherever possible, we will communicate any changes in advance. More often than not, these unexpected moments become part of the adventure itself adding to the stories, memories and unique character of the experience.

Click 'Enter' and sign into your Rat Race account and follow the sign up procedure. If you need any assistance please drop the customer service team an email on events@ratrace.com

Rat Race require you to be over 18 on the day of Registration for this adventure.

If you find yourself unable to join us on the start line of this event, you are able to transfer your entry into an event credit voucher once for use on a new entry into an event of your choice. Transfers must be requested within the qualifying transfer window to be accepted and processed. Credit vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Credit vouchers are exempt from the transfer process. To find out more information and how to submit a request, view of full transfer policy HERE 

You are very welcome to fundraise for any charity close to your heart while taking part in the event. Please note, however, that our Charity Refund Offer applies exclusively to participants fundraising for Children with Cancer UK.

You can view our current volunteer positions here. 

We have designed this challenge so that you may travel at your own pace. See below for our notes on route-finding and guidance. There will also be some cut-offs, but in the true Rat Race tradition these will be generous and we will always look to help you to achieve your goals in finishing this challenge, vs having to pull out. Of course, we are giving you some VERY early starts to allow the very best possible window for route completion. But, if you need us and if you need to abandon the route for whatever reason, we are there for you. The absolute key is that you enjoy this amazing journey from sea level to the very roof of Spain at your own pace and within your own limits.

Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.

To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry. 

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory for this event and must cover both general travel and participation in the outdoor endurance activities included within the itinerary. You will also require Evacuation Insurance, which covers emergency extraction and onward medical transport by helicopter or similar should urgent assistance be required in this remote environment.

We strongly recommend arranging your insurance as soon as you enter the event and booking flexible flight options where possible to allow for any unexpected changes. Please ensure your chosen policy specifically covers the activities you will be undertaking during the expedition. There are a number of specialist adventure travel insurers available, including Mann Broadbent.

It starts in a dry riverbed which is dusty, rough in places and fairly hard packed in others. Then comes the gorge, which is surreal and exhilarating in equal measure. You will then transition to local tracks and minor roads, which pass through stunning Spanish farming country, before hitting ‘the trail’ which takes you up and into the Sierra proper. On the upper reaches of the mountain, the going is good on firm and well-defined trails. It is rocky in places of course – it is a mountain after all!

This kit list is from our 2023 event - you will be notified of any changes to this list ahead of the event you have signed up for. 

General advice on heat 

The heat of the day at lower altitudes can be fierce, so a wide-brimmed sunhat, sun-cream and lightweight and breathable fabrics (ideally with SPF protection) are to be used. Of course it will be dark for a good portion of the lower sections on day 1 and on day 2, but it likely still to be warm. As the sun comes up, sunglasses with at least Cat 3 protection are required. As we ascend, the cover will become less so we will be exposed to the relentless sun, especially as we rise above the treeline high up on the mountain. Mulhacen is a fairly exposed peak in that respect. Temperatures can drop as we climb higher and we will find ourselves in a high mountain environment where layers, full leg cover and hats and gloves could be required. It is a fairly unique beast in that respect! Hot, cold, wind, dust, lots of varying conditions. All in one outing! 

The beauty of the support afforded by the vehicles in the lower stage of the trip on day 1 means you can take what you need for a lightweight day and then change into your ‘high mountain’ gear for day 2. We will therefore offer the opportunity for a kit change at the overnight at Trevelez from your lighter-weight gear inti ‘high-mountain’ attire. You can also change out of sweaty clothes into fresh ones, so don’t be afraid of bringing some extra stuff if you do tend to be the sort of person who gets drenched in sweat just by stepping outside in such conditions! 

Do not underestimate how much the heat will take out of you. Even if you think you ae going well lower down, as soon as that sun comes up, it’ll start sapping energy. You really do want to ensure you have mas sun protection and keep taking on fluids and salts. 

You WILL need trekking poles. You WILL need a fairly large daypack (up to 30l advised – NB this is for the mountain on day 2. You can get away with a much smaller ultra vest or similar for the run/ trek stage on day 1 – so bring both). You WILL NOT need a sleeping bag as we will overnight at the refuge where bedding is provided, but you WILL need something like a sleeping liner, (or a very lightweight sleeping bag will suffice) for hygiene in the refuge. With early starts both days you will need some extra insulation layers as well. 

For your feet, we would advise trail running footwear for day 1 and then for the high mountain section on day 2, a boot would do for this, but breathability and mobility are also bonuses. Our advice (in an ideal world) would be high-topped trail running footwear/ lightweight boots with ankle support, for the mountain. Wear these OR a separate pair of trail trainers earlier in the day. You will get a chance to switch footwear, clothing and of course backpacks before we set out on the high-mountain trekking stage. 

THE KIT LIST 

DAY 1: RUNNING OR LIGHTWEIGHT TREKKING BELOW TREVELEZ 

• Trail running footwear 

• Shorts 

• T-shirt 

• Ultra vest or small daypack 

• Bladder or bottles/ soft flasks 

• Hat – cap or wide brimmed are fine 

• Socks 

• Ankle gaiters (optional) 

• Scooby snacks of choice.  

• GPS handheld device capable of following (phone with viewranger App recommended – see below) 

• GPS watch is optional 

• Headtorch, waterproof to IPX7 standard, minimum 150 lumens + spare batteries or second headtorch. 

• Salt tablets and dissolvable electrolytes for water are mandatory. Please bring salt tablets and some electrolyte mix for drinks. You will 100% need these on this trip 

DAY 2: TREKKING/ MOUNTAIN STAGE TO THE REFUGE AND THE SUMMIT ABOVE TREVELEZ 

• Trail running/walking footwear or lightweight boots – ideally with ankle support 

• Spare evening footwear, such as Crocs (if you want – not essential – footwear for the refuge is issued to you at the refuge for indoor use) 

• Trail running/walking apparel – lightweight trekking trousers, technical wicking tee/ base layer, long-sleeved wicking layer, mid-layer (e.g. microfleece) 

• Waterproof upper body and leg cover (yes, waterproofs, however unlikely it may be that we use them)  

• Buff or similar neck gaiter, and sun hat/cap 

• Gloves 

• Spare base and mid layers 

• Socks 

• Blister care kit 

• Bivvy bag  

• First Aid kit (small personal kit with a triangular bandage, steri strips and an adhesive dressing as a minimum)  

• Water bottle, and/or cup OR Hydration system for rucksack – BUY HERE 

• Trekking poles 

• Headtorch, waterproof to IPX7 standard, minimum 150 lumens + spare batteries or second headtorch.  

• A rucksack that is sized to hold this kit + camping + food. We are suggesting 30l but ultimately it’s up to you. If the gear fits, the bag is OK!  

• Due to other accessories a rucksack with expandable features and straps is very helpful. Your call 

• Dry bag is always very useful for general gear storage/ organisation/ protection. 

• Ditto small zip lock bags (especially for doing your business and disposing of toilet paper on mountain) 

REFUGE SLEEPING KIT 

• Sleeping liner 

• Ear buds if you’re a light sleeper (for the mountain refuge) 

• Personal toiletries and medication 

GENERAL 

• Casual clothing for use in evenings at hotels and transit stages – you will be able to leave a second ‘overnight’ bag with us when you depart on the route, in the support vehicle so you have warm/ spare/ casual/ dry clothes available when we interact with the support vehicle, so you do not need to carry this with you at all – see below where we reference the ‘vehicle bag’ 

• General ‘secondary’ bag (holdall, duffel) for spare kit 

• General trekking trousers and robust outdoor footwear are recommended just given the type of destination 

• Towel – travel micro towel or full-size 

• Bandana, Buff or similar 

• Multitool or penknife 

• Reading material 

• Power bank for mobile phone 

• International plug adaptor