| Berner
Oberland day to day description and photos |
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Day 5 - Finsteraarhornhütte
to the Oberaarjochhütte
On
day 5 we make the traverse to the Oberaarjochhütte. But the highlight
of the day is the climb of the Gross Wannenhorn, which Heinz, the Finsteraarhorn
hut guardian, and an old guide himself, says is the finest ski ascent
in the area. Starting out from the hut early, we glide down the Fieschergletscher
a short way before we skin up the 3500 feet to the summit. The last section
of the ridge is exposed but not difficult, quite skiable. There
are lots of crevasses on this descent, but they only make the trip more
memorable as we link up long pitches of open terrain.
Once
we reach the Fieschergletscher we again have a bit more gentle gliding
to reach the juncture of the Fieschergletscher and the Galmigletscher
to the east. Here we skin up and climb about 2700 feet up to the Oberaarjochhütte.
This is a relaxing climb, if a bit long. But the hut is, as always, worth
it and a good rest awaits.
Day 5 - Finsteraarhornhütte to the Oberaarjochhütte
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Ascent |
1594 meters |
5228 feet |
Descent |
1396 meters |
4546 feet |
includes skiing the Gross Wannenhorn |
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| Here we are,
about half way up the Gross Wannenhorn. Behind is the Finsteraarhorn. The
hut sits on the rightmost of the three major rock ribs below the summit.
The Agassizhorn is the snowy peak behind and left. |
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| Starting
out from just below the Finsteraarhorn hut. The Wannenhorn is up and right.
We'll ski down to just below the rock tongue in center-right, before we
skin up the glacier behind. |
|
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| Most of the
way up the Wannenhorn. Behind and just about in the center of the photo
is the Vorder Galmihorn. The Oberaarjochhütte, our destination for
the night, is just on the very left edge of the photo. |
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| Ellie contemplates
the view (and the ski down!) from the summit of the Gross Wannenhorn. The
Eiger is the rocky summit in the back, in the center of the photo. |
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| Kathy
and Mo and the Finsteraarhorn. We are most of the way up the Galmigletscher,
on our way to the Oberaarjochhütte. This is the "back"
side of the Finsteraarhorn, a different and impressive view. |
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| Enjoying
the sun at the Oberaarjochhütte. |
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Continue
on to Day 6.....
All images,
layout and text © 2002 Cosley & Houston Alpine Guides, All Rights Reserved
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