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mountaineering progress - routes?

PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:28 pm
by rdo
Hello all,

This is my first post here but I'm following SP since long time ago. Welcome everyone!

I just finished winter mountaineering course for beginners and would like to practice and progress in skills I gained. What would be the best routes in Alpes to go as for beginner? I have quite extensive knowledge of walking in the mountains in general but snow condition is something new to me.

I am interested in routes where use of technical equipment is needed preferably 4000+. Any advice welcome.

rdo

Re: mountaineering progress - routes?

PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:10 pm
by P. Vis
Maybe to start is the Weissmiescrossing from the Allmagellerhutte, not difficult but you'll need lots of tools.
Lots of mountains in that area are qualified for what you're seeking
Good luck.

Gr.

Re: mountaineering progress - routes?

PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:22 pm
by rdo
P. Vis thanks for advice. I will definitely take your suggestion into consideration while planning.

Just to give small update. We will be in a team of 3-4 all from the same course. We know we are not experienced hence we aim in rather easy routes and gain some experience first. We also don't have exp in glacier travel hence the route should not involve difficult glacier. We will also do a rock climbing course soon.
Our plan is to go Switzerland last week of May. Is it good time? It's still late spring so should not be a problem, am I correct?

From what I've read Breithorn is also one of the easiest peaks which we will consider. Any other routes you can recommend?

Re: mountaineering progress - routes?

PostPosted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:20 pm
by P. Vis
At the end of may there still will be lots of snow on the mountains so the avanlanche risk is not to be underestimated.
I think most of the huts might be closed at that time so you have to inform about the winterraums available.
Also glaciertravel in this period will be easier with snowshoes or ski's.
Right beside the Weismiess there's lagginhorn and Fletschhorn and on the otherside you'll have the Mischabelgroup with Allalinhorn Alphubel as the easiest mountains.
If you try Allalinhorn from the Brittaniahutte and take the Hohlaubridge, you can cross the mountain with just a little bit of rockscrambling near the top, very easy, but rewarding.
Furthermore you'll might consider doing the Bishorn.
There are lots of books available which will give you inspiration en information concerning the difficulty of mountains you want to climb.

Re: mountaineering progress - routes?

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 2:34 pm
by rdo
Hello again,

We're seriously preparing for our trip. Currently we have a team of 3 and some initial plans to climb 3 peaks. However, as we never did any 4k so far I think it would be nice to have some more experience mountaineer with us. In general we're quite experience with mountains, many many years of multi-days hiking, some rock climbing experience, winter mountaineering course, etc. etc.

Nevertheless climbing 4k is different story. Therefore, if there is anyone who would like to join us who already has some experience to lead we would be really happy to have you on board. The plan is to leave on evening 25th of May and be back on wednesday 2nd of June. We're going from the Netherlands by car. If anyone is interested please do not hesitate to contact me!

Re: mountaineering progress - routes?

PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:08 pm
by P. Vis
Very tempting but i will be on a motorcycletrip in the Peak distict and Wales in that period.
Alpinism starts for me in July (two weeks) en two weeks in aug/sept with lots of plans.

Except in June i will go to Austria to do some via ferrata

Which mountains are you planning to do?
There's a first time for everything, just go for it en make sure the weatherconditions,knowledge and equipment are okay.
On the way, if you are in doubt of you're capabilities, just turn back, there will be more mountains to climb.

Good luck !

Re: mountaineering progress - routes?

PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:59 pm
by rdo
Thanks for the post. Our initial plans are to climb Allalinhorn, Weissmies i Lagginhorn as suggested on this forum. I know end May is still considered very snowy and not the best season to do mountaineering. I am thinking about taking snow shoes with us. Probably will be very useful.
Nevertheless, what are the things we need to think about? I want to double-check I don't miss anything :]
- proper gear including avalanche set
- snow shoes (?)
- mountainhuts still closed in that season. Is there any alternative here?
- cable car may still be closed

We selected those 3 peaks, don't know if we will be able to climb all 3 or if any. If you think there is some other peak more suitable for us and the end May season let us now :) How difficult is the glacier on the mentioned routes?

EDIT: Trip postponed to last week of June due to better weather conditions and opening times of mountain huts.