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Oeschinenhorn 3486m

 

H Diibi and E Muller with C Hari and F Ogi, 30 Sept 1874

This is little more than a shoulder of the Bltiemlisalphorn but is

worth climbing by its NW ridge in combination with the SW ridge

of the Blitemlisalphorn. A description of the SW ridge is included

for the benefit of parties wishing to make the long traverse of the

entire ridge.

 

270   SOUTH-WEST RIDGE

D     F Kast and W Stosser, 21 Aug 1932

92    From the Friinden but follow Route 269 to the Oeschinenjoch.

Follow the ridge (shattered rock) and turn a group of gendarmes on

the L to reach a big step in the ridge. Reach a well marked gap by a

traverse L (IV-, few holds) then climb a chimney-crack (IV+,

exposed) to reach another gap. From the gap slant up R (easier)

back to the crest. A few more short steps (III+) are taken direct.

3-4hr from the pass

 

271   NORTH-WEST RIDGE

AD-   First ascent party not known

From the Frtinden hut follow Route 269 onto the Undere

Oeschinen glacier. Slant up this L wards to the bottom of the W face

of the mountain at about 2800m. Climb NE up rocky slopes (no

specific line but traces of track) which are delicate in places, to get

onto the ridge. Climb the ridge a little on its N side (steps of II) to

the summit. 4hr

 

Bliiemlisalphorn 3663m

 

R Liveing, L Stephen and J Stone with M Anderegg, F Ogi and

P Simond, 27 Aug 1860

On older maps the 'e' is omitted from the name. The mountain is

the highest of three summits collectively known as the Blilemlisalp

(Wyssi Frau and Morgenhorn are the others). It has a particularly

attractive N face and its three ridges provide first class climbs. The

SW ridge combines well with the NW ridge of the Oeschinenhorn

whilst the ENE ridge is always climbed in conjunction with an

ascent of the Wyssi Frau and quite often the Morgenhorn.

 

272   SOUTH-WEST RIDGE

AD-   W Borchardt with D Gyger and S Ogi, 19 Sept 1886

92    The only sensible way ofclimbing this ridge is to include an ascent of the

Oeschinenhorn (usually by the NW ridge). The climb, although quite

short, has a remote feel to it.

From the Frtinden hut follow Route 271 to the summit of the

Oeschinenhorn. Descend the easy E ridge to the col at the foot of

the SW ridge. The ridge is mixed rock and snow. A gendarme in the

upper part is climbed by a chimney-couloir (III-). About 6hr from

the hut

 

273   NORTH-WEST RIDGE

AD    First ascent party

93    The ordinary route, of no great difficulty, but care must be exercised on

the slabby limestone terrain on the lower part of the ridge. This can be

quite trying (ficy.

From the Blitemlisalp hut climb the E branch of the Blilemlisalp

glacier to reach the snow saddle on the S side of Ufen Stock.

Descend into the snow bowl below the N face and cross the bowl

before climbing a steep snow slope to the col at Pt 3179m. Climb the

rocky lower part of the ridge somewhat on the R side (iron belay

posts) and then the snow crest to the summit. 4-5hr

 

274   NORTH FACE

D     W Amstutz, W Richardet and H Salvisberg, 1 July 1924.

93    Winter: F Herpich and R Meier, 6 Feb 1966

This is a 500m high glaciated face with a few sierac bands but no rock

barriers. The average angle is only 450 but it steepens to 706 for some

short sections. It is a very pleasant climb in good snow conditions and just

about the quickest way to the summit. A good introduction to N face

climbing.

From the Blitemlisalp hut follow Route 273 to the snow bowl below

the face. The exact line varies with the condition of the sieracs.

Usually start on the L and climb up to the lowest sierac band and

cross it by a snow/ice ramp before moving R wards to directly below

the summit. Climb as direct as possible, turning s6racs as necessary.

The final section can be avoided by moving L onto the ENE ridge.

4-5hr

 

275   EAST-NORTH-EAST RIDGE

AD    H Hoare with J von Bergen, Sept 1879

93    This is a magnificent narrow snow crest, quite delicate in places and

often corniced. It is started from the summit of the Wyssi Frau and an

ascentof the Morgenhorn is frequently included. In fact the traverse of

the three summits makes for one of the best climbs of this standard in the

Alps. It is a much finer climb than the Rochefort ridge.

From the summit of the Wyssi Frau follow the near horizontal ridge

SW then make a steep descent to the lowest point on the ridge. Now

keep more or less on the crest, over a number of steps, to the

summit. 2-4hr

 

 

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