The implementation of restrictions for climbing Teide comes into effect this Saturday, catching those who, either through ignorance or carelessness, approached the ascent route without having the necessary reservation and lacking appropriate warm clothing off guard.
Nonetheless, there were also those who adhered to the regulations, including local climbers and visitors like Hannah, 81, whose daughter had completed the necessary reservation from Germany.
The woman radiated vitality and energy upon arriving at the checkpoint on trail number 7, in Montaña Blanca, where National Park agents were ready to verify her climbing permit before allowing her to pursue her aspirations, demonstrating compliance in stark contrast to some of the younger attendees.
This sensation of safety, relief, and celebration was equally reflected by Victoriano, Maribel, and Juan Domingo, registered climbers who recalled the perilous situations they have witnessed in this area: “We have seen individuals in flip-flops, shorts, without water, without a phone… embarking on an adventure.”
Now, during this new phase, environmental agents feel a sense of ease as they work to ensure safety.
The Cabildo of Tenerife has opted to restrict access to the summit of Teide and introduce a daily quota of 300 visitors as an urgent measure to ensure individuals’ safety, particularly following an incident in mid-November when 130 people ascended to Spain’s highest point recklessly, necessitating coordinated rescue efforts.
It was early on Saturday that the new regulations took effect, with checkpoints established on the access paths leading to the summit.
Specifically, the trails requiring authorisation include number 7 Montaña Blanca-La Rambleta; 9: Teide-Pico Viejo-Mirador de las Narices del Teide; number 23: Black Regatones; and number 28: Chafarí.
To ensure the safety of individuals and the preservation of the Park, the Tenerife Cabildo has established a maximum access quota to the summit of Teide National Park: 300 individuals per day, divided into time slots from 9:00 to 16:00, 16:00 to 00:00, and 00:00 to 9:00.
Active tourism companies and qualified guides authorised to conduct groups in the high mountains will have designated spaces for their activities.
Permits can be obtained through the Tenerife On website (https://www.tenerifeon.es), and visitors must be equipped with mandatory gear that includes hiking boots, long trousers or mountain tights, a warm jacket, gloves, a hat, and water or hydrating liquids.
Hikers are also advised to carry a fully charged mobile phone, a headlamp or torch with spare batteries, sun protection (cap, sunglasses, and sun cream), a thermal blanket, energy snacks, and a whistle.
Those who disregard the regulations, asserts the Cabildo de Tenerife, could be subject to a fine of 600 euros. This amount may be further increased by the rescue fees imposed by the Government of the Canary Islands or the Prevention, Fire Extinction, and Rescue Consortium of Tenerife, which can vary between 2,000 and 12,000 euros.
“We are dealing with high-altitude regions, where temperatures drop below zero degrees, and we cannot permit rescue teams to operate without caution on a daily basis,” states the island director of Natural Environment, Pedro Millán.
Millán asserts that while it is crucial to assist individuals in the event of an accident, “in recent weeks,” he notes, a “practically unmanageable situation” was encountered due to the necessity of conducting large-scale evacuations “every day,” as numerous individuals attempted the ascent without the appropriate gear.