KANDERSTEG SUMMER CAMP

THE STAND AND FIRST HIKE - THE SCOUTS

PHOTOS BY
MARK H, MARK N, JON G, DAVE, JON W, SARAH, ANGE & OTHERS

A BREAK IN THE WALKING ABOVE ALLMENALP

Day 5

Five days into summer camp we thought it was about time we got to the top of a mountain. Stand and First are two mountains on the opposite side of the Kandersteg Valley to lake Oeschinensee.

ROUTE MAP

Hike Profile.

The steep step at about 1.5km is the cable car which lifted us 550m. Even so, our ascent walking was still 990m which is more than the highest mountain in England (Scafell Pike 978m from sea to summit.) It's also more ascent than the longest path up Snowdon (Llanberis path = 979m ascent) and considerably more than any route up from Pen-y-pass. Our highest point was 2548m, over 1000m higher than Ben Nevis the tallest mountain in the UK.

ANGE AND THE BLUMLISALP

A circular route can be taken up to the ridge, along covering both peeks and down again to the valley floor. We suspect a cable car may have been on hand to give the Scouts a head start on the way up and the Explorers help on the way down.

Despite the enormous amount of ascent, the Scouts were much happier on this hike. The first one to lake Oeschinensee is always a shock. A few days of recovery and the second hike feels easier.

SCOUTS ON TOP

ALL SMILES NOW WE ARE UP

THE VIEW FROM THE TOP

JON ON EDGE

As with all our hikes the Scouts and Explorers were split into small groups consisting of people who walk at the same pace and a leader. All of the group leaders had been up these mountains at least once before.

THIS DECENT HAS WOKEN THESE TWO UP!
ALL SMILES FOR THE FIRST TIME

THE STEEP DESCENT

SCOUTS RESTING AGAIN

From the peek of First, the path steeply descends some rocks. Our safe progress is aided by the use of a steal cable permanently attached to the rock and by sitting on our bums and sliding.

SUMMIT OF STAND LOOKING NORTH - 2322m


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