Schöllijoch 17-18 August

DSCN2047 17 August - CP in Visp as we start our reconnaissance of Schöllijoch IMG 0531 Once again, the kitchen gardens in Valais... IMG 0532 put ours in Vaud.. IMG 0533 to shame! What is it about the Valais?
DSCN2048 The mushrooms are going crazy in the forests! IMG 0534 The lower part of the trail to Topalihütte followed a bisse. DSCN2049 Then it began to climb... DSCN2050 and climb...
DSCN2051 until we came to an opening where we could see our destination WAY above us! DSCN2052 Topalihütte (it's visible in the previous photo). DSCN2053 We crossed roaring torrents. DSCN2054 Looking upward for the forest
DSCN2055 The trail was easy walking! DSCN2057 and protected from the sun. DSCN2059 We passed a shuttered alpage around 2000m DSCN2060 Le Dom comes into view.
DSCN2063 Above treeline, passed more torrents... DSCN2064 A trail junction near 2400 m DSCN2065 The hut is closer but still high above us. DSCN2066 The Barrhorn (3600 m) above moraines
DSCN2067 Huge cliffs on this side, but one can hike to the top of the Barrhorn from the other side. IMG 0536 It would've been hard would these bridges DSCN2068 Mountain torrent DSCN2069 More fungi
DSCN2070 Finally we arrive at the hut, 1550 m above the starting point DSCN2072 the Bietschhorn in the evening DSCN2073 the Dom and Täschhorn across the valley. IMG 0538 18 August - we head into the unknown!
DSCN2075 the Brunnegghorn DSCN2076 CP toiling up the trail IMG 0540 Schöllijoch comes into view DSCN2077 CP climbing next to frozen outlet of the glacier
DSCN2078 At last we can see what awaits us to the pass. 20140818 100751 Christine starts up the ladder.. 20140818 100754 Up she goes. 20140818 101253 After the ladder, ropes and footholds
20140818 101258 Almost a via ferrata 20140818 101322 Looking down toward the top of the ladder 20140818 101812 Bridge near the top 20140818 102153 The final passage
IMG 0544 On top of Schöllijoch (3300 m) DSCN2080 Bishorn: I skied up it last spring DSCN2082 The mineral world DSCN2083 Crevasses
DSCN2084 Trail down to Turtmannhütte DSCN2085 CP heading down DSCN2086 Icefall, Turtmanngletscher DSCN2087 Years ago, I skied up this route to avoid that icefall
DSCN2088 More cables in a gully above the hut DSCN2089 Turtmanngletscher DSCN2091 Below the hut, looking back to the glacier DSCN2093 A young family on their way up
DSCN2095 Conked out! DSCN2096 The end of the hike, where we have stayed before DSCN2097 CP catching up with Brigitte DSCN2099 Ah, removing the boots!
DSCN2100 I can finally relax!