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After
walking our West Highland Way and Munro's in June of 2010, we went on vacation again in September 2010. The trip took us to the canton of Valais in Switzerland. We settled down at the campsite in Visp. In addition to several hiking tours in the Saas Valley, the valley of Türtmann and Baltschieder, also near Simplon, we have completed the
Via Ferrata Eggishorn.
We started this tour from the small village Fiesch per cable car, where we reached the cable car station 'Eggishorn’ at 2893 m above sea level. From here, we had already a nice view at the Aletch glacier.
- already a nice view of the Aletch glacier
To the entry level of the Via Ferrata we followed the signposts and in approx. 20 minutes in a westerly direction. We reached the starting point at 2562 m above sea level. Here we put on our helmet, climbing harness and the Via Ferrata-set and we were off.
The level of difficulty is indicated as KS 2-3, thus a not-too-difficult Via Ferrata.
While completing a Via Ferrata (= VF), it is not the intention that you hold the steel cable constantly, but you have to put as much as possible your hands and feet on the rock to move on. Just like scrambling. The cable is simply as a safeguard to which you are connected.
The first part of the VF Eggishorn is very easy,
- the first easy part
but soon we see the challenging bridge made out of aluminium ladder parts.
One by one, we wobble to the other side, not realizing that there is only up to 200 m air under the ladder…. a lot of air and than hard rock. Not suitable for those with a fear of heights.
- a lot of air under my shoes
A moment later, after some scrambling, the next challenge appears: the Nepalese bridge. Three steel cables in triangular form, where you have to walk over the bottom cable. In spite of the fact that this bridge looks stable, it is too wobbly for us. Fortunately, we can reach the other side of the bridge via the fixed cable, attached to the rocks.
What follows are some vertical climbs, using u-shaped steel pens connected to the rock.
- vertical ladder
The most beautiful part is coming on. Two vertical rock towers need to be climbed.
- nice climbing at the tower
The real rock climber will love this part.
Through fun climbing, you will reach the highest points of the first tower. Than a vertical descent and up to the second tower again. A short wobbly ladder bridge follows.
- a last wooden ladder bridge
And then there is the end of the cable and so the end of the Via Ferrata, which we reached in 2 hours time.
To go to the summit of the Eggishorn, we walked through rock blocks up to the cable car station. And from there, we walked to the top through more rock blocks,
- up to summit Eggishorn
And then there is the summit of the Eggishorn, 2926 m above sea level after 20 minutes. On top there is an Iron cross.
- summit Eggishorn
.
From there we had a wonderful view at the Aletch glacier, surrounded by snow covered mountain peaks.
- a wonderful view at the Aletch glacier
.
We see the Eiger, the Mönch and the Aletchhorn, all wonderful to see. After a brief period of time enjoying the view, we run into the cable car station and go on a luxury way, per cable downwards, back to Fiesch.
A really nice day out, not too difficult for people who have some skills in Via Ferrata and rock climbing.