Where: Swiss Alps
When: July 2007
Partners: Solo
In summer 2007, my mother was moving back to France and so I made arrangements to fly over to Europe for a couple weeks to visit her and see the old country. As it turned out, her move was delayed to a few weeks after I'd be around and so I found myself with tons of time to play tourist. Plans to hit the mountains hard immediately came into being...
I contacted a friend of mine named Glen, who'd be climbing in Europe the whole summer and we made vague plans to meet around Zermatt, perhaps for a climb of Matterhorn. Of course, just prior to leaving the States, DB, who'd be joining me overseas, suffered a knee injury while canyoneering in the San Gabriels and would be unable to do any climbing in the Alps. Furthermore, Glen found out he wouldn't likely make it to Zermatt but would be over in Italy on the other side of the range. Hmmm, hotels already booked, cars already rented, plans already made.
After spending way too long visiting Paris, a dumpy, littered city splattered with graffiti, DB and I finally got to hit the road and bee-lined it directly for Switzerland. And that's when the rain began to fall...
...and the rain fell the entire time we were there (except for a single day, during which I was at least able to climb Breithorn, an easy but stunningly beautiful, glaciated Swiss 4,000-meter peak).
Despite the crappy weather, DB and I stayed a couple days around Lucerne. While there, I hiked up Pilatus in the drizzle. Spotting an ibex through the mist just below the summit, I snapped a couple pictures and continued up to the top.
And the neatest thing happened while I was up there. Although I couldn't see anything but gray fog, I could hear the jingle-jangle of cowbells far down in the valleys below. It was magical.
I spent a few minutes on the top then turned around to jog the trail back down. But I couldn't resist also taking a few minutes to hike up a few of the mountain's other prominent sub-peaks, see, Pilatus is a sprawling mountain that has quite a few sub-peaks that are quite prominent in their own right. I forget what they're called, but even the sub-peaks have names.
Quite an amazing and beautiful place, Pilatus - I only wish I'd had views!
Switzerland's Pilatus
Zermatt's Riffelhorn
Where: Swiss Alps
When: July 2007
Partners: Solo
Located above Zermatt, Switzerland, Riffelhorn is a small, aesthetic rock climbing objective. Sitting above a lovely tarn and below the uber-impressive Breithorn, Pollux, Castor and Monte Rosa, one can only imagine the views that await those heading for the summit of this tiny vantage point.
The day after climbing Breithorn under bluebird skies, morning broke to thick clouds and a drizzle. I'll be damned if I was gonna sit in our little bed 'n breakfast another day.
Heading to the train station, I bought a ticket then hopped onboard to shave some time/effort approaching the mountain. The clouds didn't look promising. The ride up was beautiful, gradually climbing through the trees and past a couple of waterfalls to a point well above charming Zermatt.
I exited the train at a stop next to Riffelhorn. As I did, the rain started to fall. I bolted for the mountain. Gaining the east ridge and finding the route wonderful, I spotted a guided climbing team on a route in a stunning position, backdropped beautifully by Breithorn.
Selecting an easy 5th class variation to the right of the climbing party, I soloed up good, though slippery, rock, soon gaining the summit. As the rain began to fall harder, I enjoyed a few minutes alone on the top. The guided party soon topped out on their route and walked toward the highpoint; I decided it was time to descend.
On my way down, I picked an easier line - mostly class 2-3, but with the occasional class 4 spot. Interestingly enough, as I scrambled down I passed a guided party pitching out my descent route.
Breithorn, Solo Ascent (Well, Kind Of...)
Where: Swiss Alps
When: July 2007
Partners: Solo
In July 2007, I made my first trip to the Alps. The trip saw me soloing a handful of nice peaks in Switzerland. One of the best ones, perhaps because it was my only day of clear skies during the entire two week trip, was a solo ascent of Breithorn.
The climb was short and easy. I appeared to be the only un-guided, unroped climber wearing crampons on his tennis shoes. Conditions were perfect, and I saw no need for any of that "other stuff."
A fine half-day out in a beautiful area. Zermatt is in great position.
