Albert Heim Hut – March 22/23, 2009

Albert Heim Hut 2543 m, Central Switzerland
Start in Realp at 1540m
Saturday crew (Chli Bielenhorn, 2940m): Dave, Danski, Manu, Tom, Vale, Fabian, Oliver
Sunday crew (Tiefenstock, 3515m): Dave, Danski, Manu, Oliver

The weather forecast for this past weekend was bluebird for pretty much all of Switzerland. It was definitely time to put a quality weekend together. Several phone calls were made with some of the crew from www.backcountry.ch
and last minute reservations at the Albert Heim hut for Saturday night arranged. The hut lays just a bit north east of the Furka pass at 2543m.

Skin up starting from Realp


The hut (bottom right) lies in a beautiful setting in front of the Galenstock




Soaking in the sun at lunch break


What’s better than chocolate brownies and whipped cream at 2500 m above sea level?


Galenstock and Tiefenglacier seen directly from the terrace of the hut


Chli Bielenhorn on the left and the Gross Bielenhorn on the right. The goal of the leisurely Saturday afternoon tour.


Tom skinning up the valley


Fabian making his way up towards the Chli Bielenhorn


The panorama from the Chli Bielenhorn towards the south was great.


Even my small point and shoot camera recognized the Matterhorn


Back at the hut feeling a bit patriotic after just soaking in the great Swiss alps scenery


Evening light


The next day we felt ambitious for a higher summit. Unfortunately some clouds started moving in from time to time, but the sun came through still pretty good.


The winds were whipping on the upper parts of the Tiefenglacier, but Dave kept going strong.


The goal of the day: Tiefenstock 3515 m. We had to deposit the skis and splitboard at the bottom of the rock wall.


There is a fixed rope in the lowest section that makes things a bit easier. So we secured ourselves and made our way up.


After the fixed rope we had to climb/scramble for a bit more than 100 vertical meters up the steep and exposed face.
The day before we talked with someone who was just up there and he told us it’s no problem; just bring the crampons. So only one of us brought the ice axe. The other three wished on some of the snow fields they would have had it also, but we managed to get through. But you needed some sure footing!


From the north Tiefensaddle it’s a relatively easy hike up the ridge for the last 200 vertical meters




On the ridge the clouds opened up very nicely and we could enjoy again great views


The north ridge up to the Galenstock. The Rhone glacier is just to the right off the picture.


Unfortunately right when we reached the summit the clouds moved in again, and you only could see for short distances. Here we are looking towards the Goescheneralpsee in the north east.


We still could see over to the Galenstock


Climbing route up from the ski depot to the saddle


Summit shots




On the way down we decided to rope up since a slip would have some serious consequences. Our 40 m rope was just long enough to get us through.




Manu on the upper third where we had a good snow field, and he just secured with the ice axe.


Dave on the lower half




Manu lowering himself down on the fixed rope on the lowest part


On the upper part of the Tiefenglacier we experienced some of the worst sastrugi I have ever ridden in my life. But lower down the bumps smoothed out a bit.


Manu the snowboarder not looking too shabby with skis either.


And about half way down we even could enjoy some nice wind buffed cream


Right when we were down from the saddle the sun came out again in full force. Oh well... we can enjoy the panorama another time. It was not too bad from down here either. The group is loving life!


Always looking out for new goals (the north west face of Piz Lucendro)


After the ride down the glacier we made our way back to the hut and grabbed our stuff. From there another small hike paid off with a 1000 m ride down to Realp. Pic taken on the way down looking towards Andermatt.


It was definitely a memorable weekend with good friends in the mountains. We returned with smiles and sun-tanned faces back to the Unterland.

See also
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155509
http://www.backcountry.ch/index.php?option=com_touren_boerse&Itemid=52&task=detailnach&id=236&akt=2
http://splitboard.com/talk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6604