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2015/12/26
Titlis rundtour

Conditions for the Engelberg ski-mountaineering classic Titlis rundtour, have been really good last three weeks. Great weather, nice fluffy snow conditions on altitude and sufficient snow cover all the way down to the valley combined with low avalanche risk, who can ask for more?

This alpine route around Titlis has all components to make a great day out in the mountains. Little bit of climbing on an airy ridge, steep skiing, rappelling, skinning and glacier travel, great views and a 1600m north facing ski descent back down to Engelberg valley.

Titlis rundtour is very easy accessible from Engelberg with help from the new Xpress gondola and Titlis rotair and can be done in a day by taking the first lift from Titlis talstation.

Itinarary

From summit of Klein Titlis 3062m the route goes down the Steinberg gletscher to around 2700m where you make a lefthand traverse above band of rocks(exposed) to Hinters Titlisjoch 2695. From here you have to hike/climb 10min on an airy ridge to Vorderes Titlisjoch. This ridge is exposed and its wise to use appropriate equipment for this passage; ice-axe, rope and crampons. At Vorderes Titlisjoch you rappel down the South side to Chli Gletscherli. With a 50m rope you will be able to rappel down where the couloir widens up. Its also possible to ski in to the couloir from the top without rappel.

After a short descent you reach a steep chute “Schwarzen Naad”. On the right side of this chute you find several anchor points. With good snow cover its possible to ski this chute(40-45°), the last 50m however, its usually done with help of rope.

After this steep chute you ski down a gentle slope down to 2100m where you put on skins. The first section on the climb up is steep(ski-crampons useful), when you arrive on the Wendengletscher the skinning is easy up to Bivak am Grassen 2647m. You have now time to fully enjoy the amazing backcountry terrain and views of the “other side” of Titlis.

After a sunny lunch break at the Bivak you ski down the North side back to Engelbergtal. The ski-descent area East of Titlis is huge and there’re many variations down to Fürenalp. This shady side of Titlis give you a fantastic run of 1600m vertical meters, often in powder snow. Snow conditions will decide which way  you choose down. However, the standard exit will pass the bridge at P.1165m and follow the summer path down to Herrenrüti. From here you ski the cross country trail to the Fürenalpbahn and the bus station.

Remarks & info
  • The skiing down the South side from Vorderes Titlisjoch is challenging when the snow is hard and icy. Appropriate equipment is therefor a must; rope, ice-axe, crampons.
  • The first part of the skinning from Schwarzer berg(2100m) is steep(ski-crampons useful). Good kick-turn technique is required.
  • Timing on Titlis rundtour is crucial. Rappels on the South side takes time.
  • The skiing down from Bivak am Grassen to Fürenalp involves complex route-finding and avalanche prone slopes. Navigation & avalanche knowledge is obligatory.
  • Time: Klein Titlis – Schwarzer berg 2h30min, Schwarzer berg – Bivak am Grassen 2h(+550m). Bivak am Grassen – Fürenalp 1h(-1600m).
  • Equipment: 2x50m rope can be useful. In good conditions one 50m rope is enough. Glacier equipment and Mountaineering equipment(ice-axe, crampons, harness etc).
For who is Titlis rundtour?

For those who like backcountry skiing and want to try real ski-mountaineering. Titlis rundtour is a perfect introduction to steep skiing and different mountaineering techniques. More alpine and challenging than any run of  the “big five”. A future Titlis classic for sure.

 

2015/11/08
Mönch – Nollen

Yesterday me and my friend Robert Lönnell took advantage of the amazing autumn weather and went to Grindelwald for a quick ascent up to 4107m high Mönch by the North/West Nollen route.

The drive by car to Grindelwald and the Bernese Oberland 4000m peaks is less than two hours from Engelberg. This neighbor massif is home of nine 4000m peaks including Mönch and Jungfrau. Also, not to forget, the famous Eiger Nordwand.

We arrived at Grindelwald at 14.30 o’clock in the afternoon and took the train up to Kleine Scheidegg at 2061m. From Kleine Scheidegg you can enjoy the view over the Eiger, Mönch and Junfrau North faces. Amazing! Without stress we arrived to the Guggihütte at 17.00 after a nice +900m walk. From the hut the views and evening sunset is breathtaking. The Guggihütte is not manned in off-season but it has a open fully equipped winter room.

The Nollen Route is an ice/snow super classic. The route takes a straight and evident line up the North/West face of Mönch. From the hut you climb easy rocky ground, zig-zaging and following cairns up to Mönchplateau, 3110m. From there, you continue straight up the snow slopes until you arrive to the foot of Nollen passage. The overall alpine grade is D with ice passage of 60°-70 degrees.  From summit the descent the by the South ridge is knife-sharp. The ridge and some easy rock down-climbing makes the roundtrip varied and complete.

We used 6 ice-screws, 4 quick-draws and 50m rope. It took us 3h45min from Guggihütte to summit. 2hours from summit down to Jungfraujoch.

Guiding

Nollen is a perfect route for climbers who looks for develop their snow and ice-climbing skills and in meanwhile climb a classic beautiful 4000m peak. Mönch can be combined with ascent of Jungfrau, 4158m and Eiger, 3970m by staying in Mönchjoch hütte and Mittellegi hütte.

Nollen can be climbed from early spring to late autumn. In spring it can also be a project for motivated ski-mountaineers who looks for steep glaciated skiing. I can really recommend the route in autumn as we did it. Calm, not much people and perfect conditions and temperatures. October and November is a perfect time for mountain climbs like this.

 

 

 

2015/10/22
Engelberg offpist

Winter is coming closer and in between pre-season physical preparation for skiing I’m planning my guide calendar for upcoming season. Perhaps you planning your winter as well? Here’s some info concerning Engelberg offpist possibilities which might you choose Engelberg upcoming winter.

New express gondola lift at Titlis

Since last year the lift company at Titlis has built a new express gondola. Making the Engelberg offpist area even more accessible for upcoming season. The 8-seated gondola takes you from bottom station to Stand at 2428m in only 16min. Also reducing the queuing time significantly especially on weekends and powder days.

“The big five” or “the big six”

You might have heard of the big five before? Engelberg offpist area is known worldwide. Freeride skiing from top of Mount Titlis give you more than 2000 vertical meters backcountry skiing down to the bottom of the valley. The skiing is on North aspects, which means the snow stays cold for a long time even after long periods of sunny weather. There are five big classic offpist runs on Mount Titlis:

  • Laub – 1000m even offpist run down huge snowfields
  • Steinberg – From top station straight down the Steinberg Glacier to Trübsee.
  • Sulz – Choose between huge snowfields or playful freeride terrain with lots cliffs.
  • Wendenlücke – Earn your turns… short boot-pack or hike with skins – untracked powder!
  • Galtiberg – The most impressive and challenging offpist run of the big five.

In my opinion there’s one big run missing here because of its easy access and high quality skiing.  The “Titlis Round Tour” is a great day tour for good skiers who can manage some basic ski-mountaineering skills such as rappelling and glacier travel. Perhaps the Tiltis Round Tour isn’t on the list because of it involves some easy ski-mountaineering elements? Lets change that!

Engelberg offpist

For upcoming winter season 2016 we have special package called “Engelberg Backcountry skiing”. This package consists four days offpist guiding at secret spots in the valley of Engelberg. The weekend is a collaboration with the local guide bureau, me and Hotel Hoheneck. The package include four nights stay in double room at Hotel Hoheneck with half board included, steady breakfast and three course dinner.

See you in Engelberg!

/Tobias

Goldies

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  • 2022-08-29 | NEW PRODUCT – Urner Haute Route, summer adventure trek