Tag Archive for: Crampon Tour

On the summit of the Hausstock

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View from the summit of the Hausstock towards Ruchi and Tödi, Glarus, SwitzerlandHappy faces at the highlight of the two-day mountain tour, the summit of the Hausstock. In the centre of the image, the section of the path after the ascent from the Muttseehütte from the Ruchi over the ridges and crests, especially the ‘Furggel’, is clearly visible. In the background, the Tödi shines to the west of the Hausstock. After a short break, we’re keen to begin the descent on the southern side across the glacier, as threatening cumulus clouds are gathering and the summit is quickly becoming shrouded in cloud.

Ridge Traverse on the ‘Furggel’ to Hausstock

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The Furggel, the key section (3,000 m) before ascending the Hausstock, Glarus, Switzerland

The ascent from the Muttseehütte to the summit of Hausstock goes through scree via the Hintersulzlücke. We didn’t choose the climbing route along the ridge, but a variation from the southwest onto the Ruchi over rock and snow, where we eventually had to use crampons. After traversing north below the summit, at 3,000 m, comes the key section, the so-called “Furggel”, an exposed narrow ridge. On this section, which is secured with fixed ropes, one has to balance over abysses several hundred metres deep on both sides. A short climb is followed on the other side by a fairly level stretch until the final ascent on the summit ridge, where the highlight of our two-day mountain tour to the Hausstock is finally reached. From the freestanding summit, you can enjoy magnificent views.

Muttsee, Bifertenstock and Tödi

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Muttsee in front of Bifertenstock and Tödi, Glarus, Switzerland

On the second day’s stage of the mountain trek to Haustock, we leave the Muttseehütte early and begin the ascent over scree slopes to Hintersulzlücke (2646 m). From there, the panorama opens up to the southwest, revealing the partially still-frozen Muttsee (in the foreground), the distinctive “hump” of Kistenstöckli near Kistenpass (left), Bifertenstock (centre, 3420 m), Selbsanft (right), and behind them, Tödi (3586 m). To the north, I stand before the abyss into the Durnachtal, where the view opens up to Linthal and Glärnisch. Ahead of us now is the ascent over the Ruchi to the key section, the ridge crossing of the ‘Furggel’.

Sociable Evening at the Muttsee Hut

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Dinner at the Muttsee Hut, Graubünden, Switzerland

The food at the Muttsee Hut in the Graubünden uplands was clearly enjoyed after the strenuous first day’s stage of the mountain tour to Hausstock. There was no fresh fish from the nearby Muttsee, but there were a few tall tales from the neighbouring table – which seemed unusual for a mountain hut, as the lake is, after all, over 2,400 metres above sea level. The mere prospect of a cool beer in the evening seemed to have kept up the spirits of Stefan, Rainer and Jochen during the last sweat-inducing kilometres of the approach over the Kistenpass.

The Muttsee Hut SAC (2,501 m) in front of the Ruchi

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The Muttsee Hut SAC (2,501 m) in front of the Ruchi (3,107 m), Graubünden, Switzerland

On the Mutten Plateau lies Lake Muttsee and the Muttsee Hut (75 beds) named after it, which can be reached from the south via the Kisten Pass or from the north via Linthal, Tierfed and Limmerental, or by cable car to Nüschenstock. In summer, the hut also hosts numerous anglers, who are drawn by the extremely large lake at an impressive 2,446 m altitude, who entertained us in the evenings with their fishing tales. On our mountain tour to the Hausstock, it marked the end of the first day’s stage after the ascent from the Vorderrhein Valley via the Kisten Pass, before continuing the next morning over Hintersulzlücke and Furggel to the summit of the Hausstock.

Piz d’Artgas at the Kisten Pass

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Piz d'Artgas at the Kisten Pass on the way to the Muttseehütte, Glarus, Switzerland

On the two-day mountain tour to the Hausstock, the first day’s stage started in Breil/Brigels and led us to the Muttseehütte. At the Kisten Pass (2640 m), the long ascent from the green Vorderrhein valley finally comes to an end. The scenic path leaves the Bifertenhütte (AAC Basel) to the left, climbs over desolate scree fields along the slopes of Piz d’Artgas (2787 m) and the foothills of the Muttenstock, and later leads east above the steep drops at Lake Limmern across to the Muttseehütte. The final, sweat-inducing climb feels almost endless to me with my legs heavy from the long day, especially because the hut is already visible from afar and seems so close.

Mountain Tour to the Hausstock Summit

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The Hausstock: Between Glarus and Graubünden

The Hausstock and Linthal, Glarus, Switzerland

North of the Vorderrhein Valley lies the Graubünden Oberland, which, in addition to the attraction of Tödi, also features less frequented peaks or mountain passes into Glarus, such as the Pannixer Pass. This includes the crossing of the Hausstock (3158 m), which will delight any alpine enthusiast and requires confident crampon use on steep terrain and easy climbing. The tour offers plenty of variety, from the ascent via the Kisten Pass, the panorama from the Hintersulzlücke of Bifertenstock and Tödi, the Muttsee Hut, the evening beer, the key section “Furggel”, the view from the summit or the descent via the ‘Gletscher da Mer’. Read more