<<        >>

90-91

 

106      NORTH-WEST RIDGE

AD       H. Wolly with C Jossiand H Kaufmann, 31 July 1887

59

This constitutes the ordinary route from theM6nchjoch or Bergli huts. It

achieves the grade given because of the exposed climbing (usually on ice)

close to the summit. See also photos 60 and 61.

From the Monchjoch or Bergli huts get onto the upper slopes of the

Ewigschneeflild. Pass just below the foot of the S ridge of the

Walcherhorn then slant up snow slopes to a col at the foot of the SE

ridge of this mountain (3613m, not marked). Continue along the

ridge or just on its S side with one or two steep (and sometimes icy)

steps, to the final section. A rock rib sits on the crest of the ridge

and can be climbed (II, III) or it can be turned on the L (E) side

where an exposed and frequently icy slope is climbed back to the

crest. Follow the crest easily to the summit, turning the last few

rocks on the R. 4-5hr

 

Ochs 3900m

E von Fellenberg with P Infibnit, U and P Kaufmann, 28 July 1864

Also known as the Klein Fiescherhorn, the mountain has an

impressive 1300mhigh, glaciated E flank and its N face forms the L

part of the Fiescherwand. Quite frequently climbed by its short SW

ridge in combination with the Gr and Hinter Fiescherhorn.

 

107      SOUTH-WEST RIDGE

PD       W Coolidge with CAlmer jun and R Almer, 22 July 1888

60        From the snow saddle between the Gr Fiescherhorn and Ochs,

reached easily from the Fieschersattel described in Route 105, climb

the snow ridge to the summit. The ridge may be difficult because of

ice or cornices. 30min

 

108     NORTH RIDGE

D         E Whitwell with C Lauener and P Schlegel, 2 Aug 1878

61        A worthwhile snow/ice climb in a fine setting. The ridge is reached 100m

S of Pfaffestecki (3054m). See also photo 60

From the Schreckhorn hut cross the Obers Ischmeer SW then climb

diagonally up the glacier slopes above to the col S of Pfaffestecki. If

the state of the glacier allows, before reaching the col turn up the

slope to reach a higher col S of Pt 3343.4m. From the lower col this

one is reached by climbing the snow and rock crest over

Pt 3343.5m. Continue up the ridge without any great difficulty

over snow and rock to Pt 3578m and the N edge of a snow terrace

below and E of the summit. This point can be reached from Route

109  by crossing the terrace (or the climb can be abandoned here by

crossing the terrace to join Route 109). The final steep ridge (55 degree)

is the crux and requires good technique on ice. The ridge finishes

on the SE ridge (usually corniced) about 20mfrom the summit.

About 7hr

 

109      NORTH-EAST FLANK

AD+    De Villiers-Schwab, 5 Aug 1920

61        This face of the mountain has a number of rock ribs interspersed with

glacier slopes. Several routes have been recorded but most are impractical

at present due to the crevassed state of the glaciers. The route described is

the one most likely to be in condition. The route can be used in descent by

parties climbing on the NW face or the N ridge. The slope below the

siracs provides a rapid means of descent for parties willing to run the

risk.

From the Schreckhorn hut cross the Obers Ischmeer SW towards

the rock buttress below Pt 2975m. Climb the steep slope to the R of

the buttress (fairly active s6racs above) then traverse L on the

obvious snow tongue. (It is possible to climb on the rock buttress

via a couloir from about half-height; the second pitch is steep but on

good holds. The way is difficult to locate in descent.) From the end

of the snow tongue climb a broken rock ridge easily to snow slopes

above. Climb these to a snow terrace rising R wards below 2 rock

ribs in the face above. Follow the terrace (some danger of sierac fall

from above) R wards to the S side of the snow terrace below the

summit of Ochs. From here climb the narrow, often icy, E ridge

which steepens towards the fore-summit on the SE ridge. Continue

along the SE ridge which curves round to the main summit (often

very difficult because of cornices). 8-9hr

P von Schumacher and W Amstutz, 3 Aug 1926

One of the great N faces of the Bernese Oberland and of the Alps, it

is about 4km wide (extending from the Walcherhorn to Ochs) and

some 1200m high, and is seamed with rock and ice. The climbing

here has a great feeling of isolation and seriousness. Several of the

routes have a major risk of s6rac fall and much of the rock is poor

(but not all). The objective dangers account for the lack of

popularity of these climbs, however a fast party, in the right

conditions, can minimize the risk to no more than one would find on

some of the more crowded Chamonix routes. In previous guides the

position of routes has been identified by numbering the rock ribs.

This has been abandoned as confusing, since the various ribs are not

clearly defined.

 

90-91

<<        >>