Page 34 - Cross Country Travel Guide 2019

Alphubel, 4,206m
The Alphubel stands out among its more
jagged companions for its flat-topped shape.

It’s part of the Mischabel group of mountains
in the Swiss Pennine Alps between the
Zermatt and Saas valleys, and is one of the
easier 4,000m peaks to climb.
It can be climbed from Saas-Fee, with
climbers usually taking the cable cars to
Längflue, where there is a refuge, or the
Alpine Metro train to Mittelallalin at 3,500m
It’s possible to launch at Mittelallin in a
NW wind. From Längflue it’s a 4-5 hour
snow plod up the crevasse-riddled Fee glacier
to the summit. The summit ridge is a bit

delicate and can be tricky if it’s icy, but the
views over the Zermatt skyline are stunning.
You can launch just below the summit in
directions from north through east to south.
To the west is a cliff launch which is not
recommended! Land in Täsch, Saas Grund or
Saas-Fee – just watch for lines and cables.
saasfeeguides.com
Photo: Marc Fournier

Weissmies, 4,017m

Weissmies is about 10km northeast of
Alphubel as the crow flies, and some say it’s
the most beautiful mountain in the northeast
Pennine Alps! It lies just east of the Saas
valley and is accessed from Saas Grund.
It’s another fairly easy 4,000er. The normal
route is via the north-west face over the Trift
glacier, and it can be done in a day by taking
the first lift to Hohsaas (3,142m).

Alternatively you can stay overnight at the
Hohsaas hut and benefit from an early start
and firmer snow conditions. From Hohsaas
it’s a 900m ascent up a glacier for 3-4 hours,
passing between towering seracs before
cresting on to the final ridge where the views
are fabulous.
There is plenty of room to lay out, and if

it’s windy on top there are other options a
bit lower down, notably on the shoulder at
3,800m. You can fly in winds from NW to
SW, and land back in Saas Grund.
flywithandy.com
Photo: Aude Mayoraz

34 CROSS COUNTRY TRAVEL GUIDE 2019 ALPS 4000