Here we go... mmm where exactly?

Let’s face the truth: I admit I had no idea of where the Balmhorn was before last November. I actually know nothing about the Alps if it is not inside the French borders. Call me “ignorant frog” :-P Call me absolute amateur mountaineer.

Confession disclosed, now I can share with you what I have investigated about climbing the Balmhorn. I shall save you searching for the Wikipedia article :

The Balmhorn (3,698 m) is a mountain in the Bernese Alps in Switzerland. Its summit ridge lies on the border between the cantons of Berne and the Valais.

It was first climbed by Frank Walker, Horace Walker and Lucy Walker, with guides Jakob Anderegg and Melchior Anderegg on 21 July 1864.

Not much info in deed… Ok so let’s go for the geography lesson: the Balmhorn is located 60km East from the Lac Leman, and is the 20th highest summit of the Bernese Alps, close to the extreme West of this 100km wide mountain range, limited to the South by the Rhône river.

The normal route to climb the Balmhorn is the one opened by Lucy Walker, up the South West ridge (or “Zackengrat”). It takes about 5 hours from Berghotel Schwarenbach. The ridge is gained by climbing the steep slope directly above the head of the Schwarz Glacier to Zackenpass.

If you fancy following me day by day (really, nothing better to do?? ;o) this is the Gore-tex schedule:

Monday: arrival in Kandersteg (1.170m) early afternoon. Welcome dinner and overnight in Hotel Alpina

Tuesday: after breakfast, meet mountain guides and do equipment check. Travelling to Berghotel Schwarenbach (2.061m), using Sunnbuel cable car and hiking approx.. 1h30. In the afternoon rope work and a short acclimatization hike.

Wednesday: Summit day! Breakfast at 4am, depart at 5am, expected reach of Balmhorn summit (3.698m) at 10am. Return to trail via hike, cable car and bus back to Kandersted, Hotel Alpina. Celebration dinner!!!

Thursday: departure…

Sounds like a kind of “flash-hike”. Veni, Vidi, Climbi! And back home. And frankly, 5 hours to climb 1.600m on a steep slope might be a bit optimistic… So think of me on the Wednesday morning and send me good vibes!

Fine, then (for the ones at the back of the classroom) to sum up: after 623km (plane) + 222km (train) + 2.500 ascent (foot) and return, that will be over. Six months dreaming about it, two months training and in 48 hours, done!

But at least you (and I) will definitely know where the Balmhorn stands ;o))