KISC 2000 RINDERHORN HIKE
PHOTOS BY DAVE GARDNER & MARK HUTTON

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RINDERHORN 3453m
G Studer with A and J Grichting, 6 Sept 1854

North Ridge (PD)

A much frequented route, ideal for an alpine noice. It is mostly snow and quite easy in good conditions.
From Schwarenbach follow the path towards the Gemmipass as far as Pt 2229.4m. Climb the valley on the South side of the Chli Rinderhorn as far as the Rindersattel (traces of track over grass slopes and scree). Scree-covered slopes above the saddle lead up the North ridge to snow slopes. Follow these in an arc to the Right as far as the final snow slope below the summit. About two pitches of steeper snow/ice lead to the top. 4-5 hr

LEFT: A postcard map of the Rinderhorn.

For some members of the RVU and some of the leaders, the peaks around Kandersteg offered a substantial challenge and potential for dreaming. During the summer camp of 2000 and with the help of Geoff Preston and Derek Tungatt, the County Mountaineering Advisors, the RVU decided to take up the challenge of a big peak. With this in mind many grand plans were made. There was talk of the Bluemlisalphorn (3663m) and then of the Balmhorn (3699m). However the weather was the controlling factor and these peaks would have to be put on hold until another day.

ABOVE: Early start.

Instead it was decided that we should climb the Rinderhorn, a neighbour of the heighest mountain around Kandersteg, the Balmhorn. At 3453m (11222ft), the Rinderhorn is only 600m shy of the infamous Eiger. For mountains of this size, good weather and an early start are essential.

ABOVE: View of Chli Rinderhorn on left and the path up the scree to meet the ridge.

RIGHT: The Chli Rinderhorn at first light.

ABOVE: Geoff "I may hold you up lads" Preston leading the way.

At 4am when we woke, Ross told us that the weather was fine and that the plan was on. By the time we had finished breakfast there was a thick fog outside. Unfazed we decided to start out anyway and if the weather didn't improve we would be forced to turn back.

BELOW: The view up the Gemmi Pass.

Rain

Luckily the fog cleared as we embarked on the monotonus scree path up to the ridge.

Geoff informed us that he may hold us up and was convinced that he would have to turn back to avoid him preventing us reaching the summit. Things turned out a little differently as Geoff lead a blistering pace up the scree. Once we reached the ridge the weather was fine. There were clouds below us in the valley but the Rinderhorn was perfectly clear.

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