Welcome to SP!  -   
 
 New features are here! - Read More... 
Areas & Ranges·Mountains & Rocks·Routes·Images·Articles·Trip Reports·Gear·Other·People·Plans & Partners·What's New·Forum

NW Flank
Route
Contribute 
 
Geography
Parents 
Routes
 

NW Flank

 
NW Flank

Page Type: Route

Location: Switzerland, Europe

Lat/Lon: 46.46990°N / 7.73560°E

Route Type: Mountaineering

Time Required: A long day

Difficulty: PD

Route Quality: 
 - 3 Votes
 

 

Page By: Fred SpickerMoni

Created/Edited: Jun 7, 2005 / Apr 27, 2009

Object ID: 165410

Hits: 2967 

Page Score: 77.77% - 4 Votes 

Vote: Log in to vote

 

Overview

 
Doldenhorn, seen from the...
Doldenthorn from the north.


The NW-Flank is considered the normal route on the Doldenhorn. It is included as one of the one hundred finest routes in the Berner Oberland in BERNER OBERLAND Die 100 schönsten Touren by Hans Grossen.

Though it does not include any technical climbing, the route does involve glacier travel and slopes up to 45 degrees. The final narrow snow crest to the summit is particularly nice and certainly requires some attention.

In the late winter and spring, the lower parts of the route are a very popular ski ascent with the final bit to the top done without skis. 
Doldenhorn Hut
Doldenhorn Hut

Approach

The NW-Flank is climbed from Kandersteg by way of the Doldenhorn Hut.

Signs and a good trail lead from the village to the hut. About 750 m vertical gain - two and a half to three hours.

Route Description

 
Doldenhorn, NW Flank Route
Doldenhorn from the north showing the route and winter variation.



From the Doldenhornhütte, a track leads upward through meadows and talus fields to the base of the Spitzer Stein (Point 2829 m) a large very distinctive leaning rock tower.

From the Spitzer Stein, a blocky crest (snow covered in early season) is followed to a snow ramp leading on to the glacier.  
NW Flank of Doldendhorn
Spitzer Stein to Glacier
(click for detailed caption)











 
Doldenhorn. Leaving the top.....
The Final Crest



Spitzer Stein to the Glacier:





Ascend the glacier to the saddle between the Gross and Klein Doldenhorn and from here follow the gradually narrowing snow ridge to the summit. 

Doldenhorn in May
On the Glacier


On the glacier and final crest:




Essential Gear

Ice ax, crampons, normal glacier travel gear

Images

NW Glacier of DoldenhornDoldenhorn, NW Flank RouteDescending snow ridge, DoldendhornNW Flank of DoldendhornDoldenhorn HutDoldenhorn. The snow was icy...



"Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know."   --Ernest Hemingway   

© 2006-2012 SummitPost.org. All Rights Reserved.