Although not very high the Riffelhorn 2927m provides a great little outing and provided myself Ran Fiennes and Mike Kobold with a superb winter days outing.
We caught the train from Zermatt to Rotenboden where a short walk though deep snow put us under the west ridge. Here some cool scrambling along the ridge put us under the summit tower. This would have provided a nasty sting in the tail if it weren’t for the big fixed rope in place. Ran had a few problems with the lack of fingers on his left hand. The rope was too thick for him to grasp properly, but as ever nothing keeps the man down and he simply rock climbed his way up.
The summit gave great views and a huge cross on top (why do the Swiss do that??).
We descended the East Ridge, which was a little more involved with a number of raps needed.
The Riffelhorn isn’t climbed much in winter, which is a shame as it was great fun but we did like the lack of crowds.
As we walked down the final slopes a huge Chamois popped over the ridge and eyed us up, as if asking what we were doing on his mountain. As we boarded the train to go back down we looked up and saw the Chamois standing proud on the hill side like the king of the mountain.
My next stop is Norway next week for some ice climbing so stay posted for updates (if I can get on line anywhere).
Stay cool out there
KC
Although not very high the Riffelhorn 2927m provides a great little outing and provided myself Ran Fiennes and Mike Kobold with a superb winter days outing.
We caught the train from Zermatt to Rotenboden where a short walk though deep snow put us under the west ridge. Here some cool scrambling along the ridge put us under the summit tower. This would have provided a nasty sting in the tail if it weren’t for the big fixed rope in place. Ran had a few problems with the lack of fingers on his left hand. The rope was too thick for him to grasp properly, but as ever nothing keeps the man down and he simply rock climbed his way up.
The summit gave great views and a huge cross on top (why do the Swiss do that??).
We descended the East Ridge, which was a little more involved with a number of raps needed.
The Riffelhorn isn’t climbed much in winter, which is a shame as it was great fun but we did like the lack of crowds.
As we walked down the final slopes a huge Chamois popped over the ridge and eyed us up, as if asking what we were doing on his mountain. As we boarded the train to go back down we looked up and saw the Chamois standing proud on the hill side like the king of the mountain.
My next stop is Norway next week for some ice climbing so stay posted for updates (if I can get on line anywhere).
Stay cool out there
KC
