Witenwasserenstock

Overview

The Witenwasserenstock is a famous and easy ski mountain in the Central Switzerland.
Its located where the three cantons Wallis, Uri and Tessin come together and from where the water flows in three seas, the North Sea, the Adriatic sea and the Mediterranean sea.
The mountain is located next to the Gotthard pass, one of the most important north south routes of the Alps.
Its not a very difficult mountain, useful can be crampons and an ice axe, but theres no rope or something else needed. It depends on the snow conditions.

Getting There

Starting point is Realp at the Furka pass.
This route is good for skiers and hikers.
Walk to the end of the Witenwasseren valley (2185 m) and follow the marks to the Rotondo hut. There are 33 rods marking the way.
From Realp to the Rotondo hut you have to ascend 1000m and about 9km walk.
With ski or snowshoes you will need 3 hours. From Rotondo hut you have a great view to the Witenwasserenstock.
For the way up to the Witenwasserenstock and back to the hut you will need about 3 hours.
For the ascent follow the route from The Rotondo hut to the south-west and cross the glacier in south direction.
Go up straight to the ridge where you can depot your ski or snowshoes. From there follow the ridge up to the summit. Descent is on the same way.
When you are back at the depot you can ski down the ascent way or you go to the north-east to the top of he Huenerstock (2890m), only 800 meters away. From there you have a fantastic view over the valley, the Rotondo Hut, towards the Piz. Rotondo

When to climb

You can climb the whole year, depending of the snowfalls and the weather it might be an avalanche danger.
Informations about the avalanche situation you can get actual at the Rotondo Hut

Camping

Cheap and good boarding houses and hotels in Realp, its also a very good idea to stay at the Rotondo hut. Its managed on request and in the high seasons of ski tours and in the summer time.

Near Summits and Routes

Climbing Piz. Pesciora after descending the Witenwasserenstock.
Rappel down 20 m from a small gap west of the east summit.
Leave the rope in place if you intend to return on the same route.
Continue on the Geren glacier to the foot of a steep snow field on the north side of Pizzo Pesciora.
Across this snow field, without snow shoes, climb the ridge between the Gerenhorn (3078 m) and Pizzo Pesciora (3122 m) and follow the SW ridge to the summit.
Return on the same route.



Gross Leckihorn

Short trip to the closest mountain of the Rotondo hut (500 m ascend and descent, 21/2 hours with return to the hut).
Walk south of the Rotondo hut into the saddle 200 m of the Leckipass (2892 m).
From there climb the north ridge of the Gross Leckihorn to the summit cross - depending on the conditions with the snow shoes or on foot.
On the same way back to the hut.

Images

View Witenwasserenstock Image Gallery - 32 Images