NNE-Ridge | Alpinism | Swiss Alpine Club SAC

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NNE-Ridge (Normal route) Wilerhorn (VS) 3307 m

Difficulty

PD, 2a
Ascent

4–4 h, 950 m
Descent

210 m

The normal route from the Bietschhorn hut to the Wilerhorn via the NNE ridge offers a varied high-altitude tour in a pristine environment. This tour is ideal in combination with a descent southwards through the Jolital to Hohtenn. The Bietschhornhütte is the only accommodation in this area, and an ascent of the Wilerhorn is made more feasible if you stay there. The ridge is quite easy to follow, but also has quite a lot of loose rock, especially at the beginning of the Wilerjoch. After that, the climbing is never hard and it is best to keep to the ridge (or in the upper part slightly right (north) of it).

Route from the Wilerjoch to the Wilerhorn (07/2013) © Senn-Erismann Bernhard

The ascent to the Bietschjoch. (09/2016) © Senn-Erismann Bernhard

Alternate easy blocky climbing and walking on the ridge. (07/2013) © Senn-Erismann Bernhard

On the NE ridge of the Wilerhorn. A most beautiful view of the Bietschhorn. (07/2013) © Senn-Erismann Bernhard

Last metre before the summit. View north down to Wiler and Lötschental (07/2013) © Senn-Erismann Bernhard

Route description

Bietschhornhütte - Bietschjoch

From the Bietschhorn Hut (2565 m), walk south-east along the path. The terrain becomes slowly steeper and steeper, until you are basically weaving through vertical rubble on the last section up to the pass. You actually emerge ca. 150 m northeast of the pass itself. 1 1/2 hours.

Bietschjoch - Wilerjoch

From the Bietschjoch (3174 m), descend slightly on the S side and then head along the Bietschgletscher in a south-westerly direction parallel to the ridge. Leave the main Bietschgletscher at is western edge above the 3000 m line, and contour round the rocks to the smaller, separate glacier below the Wilerjoch. Rise to join the distinctive snow crest in the centre of this glacier, and follow this directly to the Wilerjoch. 1 1/2 hours.

Wilerjoch - Wilerhorn

From the Wilerjoch (3069 m) go about 100 m in SSW direction to a distinctive rise in the ridge which has relatively good rock. You bypass this rise on the NW side by following whitish ledges before climbing back onto the ridge. Thereafter climb the blocky ridge directly (never too hard) until it merges into a snow/scree slope which is crossed directly. Under the following of spur of rock you again move westwards into the N-flank to join a kind of rib which takes you in a SSE-direction back to the ridge, just a few metres form the summit. 1 hr