NW Flank

Page Type Page Type: Route
Location Lat/Lon: 46.46990°N / 7.73560°E
Additional Information Route Type: Mountaineering
Additional Information Time Required: A long day
Additional Information Difficulty: PD
Sign the Climber's Log

Overview

Doldenhorn 3643m
The upper part of the route


The NW-Flank is considered the normal route on the Doldenhorn. It is included as one of the one hundred finest routes in the Berner Oberland in BERNER OBERLAND Die 100 schönsten Touren by Hans Grossen.

Though it does not include any technical climbing, the route does involve glacier travel and slopes up to 45 degrees. The final narrow snow crest to the summit is particularly nice and certainly requires some attention.

In the late winter and spring, the lower parts of the route are a very popular ski ascent with the final bit to the top done without skis.

Approach

 
Doldenhorn Hut
Doldenhorn Hut


The NW-Flank is climbed from Kandersteg by way of the Doldenhorn Hut.

Signs and a good trail lead from the village to the hut. About 750 m vertical gain - two and a half to three hours.

Route Description

Doldenhorn, NW Flank Route
Doldenhorn from the north showing the route and winter variation.



From the Doldenhornhütte, a track leads upward through meadows and talus fields to the base of the Spitzer Stein (Point 2829 m) a large very distinctive leaning rock tower.

From the Spitzer Stein, a blocky crest (snow covered in early season) is followed to a snow ramp leading on to the glacier.  

Spitzer Stein to the Glacier:

 
NW Flank of Doldendhorn 
 
Halfway up the Doldenhorn... 
 
Photo taken in July 1980.... 


Ascend the glacier to the saddle between the Gross and Klein Doldenhorn and from here follow the gradually narrowing snow ridge to the summit. 

On the glacier and final crest:
 
NW Glacier of DoldenhornOn the glacier
 
Doldenhorn in MayOn the glacier - May
 
Descending snow ridge, DoldendhornFinal crest
 
Doldenhorn. Leaving the top.....Final crest


Essential Gear

Ice axe, crampons, normal glacier travel gear










Parents 

Parents

Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports.