Easter Ski Tour - Day 2 (A Photo Diary)

Good weather, great lines and challenging traverses. Following up from Day 1 last week, this is the visual diary (along with some words) of our second day of ski touring during Easter 2022.

Skiing from the highest peak of the Bernese Alps west of the Gemmi Pass, the Wildhorn (the Canton of Valais with its villages visible far below).

Day 2 was the day we were looking forward too the most.

Yes, we would need to cover some good distance, but we would also get to ski some beautiful lines from some of the highest peaks in the region.

Fortunately for us, the weather gave us the perfect window.

After an early start from the Wildhorn Hut, we made our way upwards along a ridge line and onto the Chilchli Glacier, which we needed to cross en route to the Glacier du Wildhorn.

L-R: As the sun rises ski tourers make their way upwards from the Wildhorn Hut; Cresting the ridge line en route onto the Chilchli Glacier; Our group working well together; Looking back we saw ski tourers making their way toward another objective, the scale of the mountains self evident.

Once we reached the Glacier du Wildhorn, the days objective started to come into view:

The Wildhorn Mountain Peak.

And as we slowly made our way higher, edging closer above 3000m, the views were something else.

Looking in a westerly direction as we made our way closer to the Wildhorn, crossing over the glacier of the same name.

Spring is a popular time for ski touring in the high mountains, as the snow has stabilised (to an extent) over the season, the weather is a tad warmer and you have slightly longer daylight hours.

What this means is you meet many more people en route who also love spending time in the mountains.

It’s a great camaraderie up there.

The last few hundred meters leading up to the Wildhorn doesn’t seem far, but it takes a good amount of time to traverse.

Maybe it’s the thinner air, maybe it’s the fatigue.

Maybe both.

But once you reach the summit all else fades away as you take in the surrounding views.

L-R: Ski tourers dwarfed but he surrounding terrain; Our group as we approach the first objective of the day: the Wildhorn; Beautiful views, with the tracks bottom left from fixed wing alpine pilots practicing landing and takeoffs; Truly magnificent views; A short boot pack onto the Wildhorn from the back; Sharing information with - and gathering information from - other ski tourers on the summit.

Then came the ski down, which was in great conditions.

Slightly hard snow up top from the summit, after which we made a small ridge jump onto the upper part of the Tungel Glacier and into soft and fluffy powder.

Needless to say, fun was had by all.

L-R: Skiing from the Wildhorn summit (looking north east); Some great powder on the upper part of the Tungel Glacier; Looking back towards the Wildhorn (top left).

Once down, it was time to change into skinning mode once again and make our way up towards the Schnidehore.

Lower than the Wildhorn by about 380m, it is still a good challenge.

L-R: The skin track up to the Schnidehore was interspersed with rocks exposed by the spring temperatures; Traversing the ridge line as we reached the summit of the Schnidehore; Deciding on the route down.

We didn't spend too long on the summit, as we still had a good way to go.

Once we changed our boots and ski bindings back into ski mode, stashed our skins in our backpacks and had a quick snack, we were on our way.

The ski down the back towards the Alpage du Rawyl is a fun up and down between gulleys and little couloirs.

One of the more experienced group leaders making sure our line choice would work out.

We had some good fun carving our way toward our eventual lunch spot, before making our way across a large, flatter section (Alpage du Rawyl) towards the Wildstrubel Hut.

L-R: Steeper sections provided great skiing; Lunch en route; Making our way up a little gulley with the day's earlier route visible behind; A lone ski tourer making their way; A tricky traverse on some off camber hard pack.

The legs may have been tired as we made our way upwards once more towards our final destination for day two, the Wildstrubel Hut.

But the stoke was high from the day’s skiing.

L-R: Clouds as the sun made its way below the horizon; A peak close to the Wildstrubel Hut - the Rohrbachstein - shrouded in mist.

On arrival at our mountain hut, we were greeted with some traditional dinner, which is something I can write a whole separate post about.

Everyone eats the same food, at the same time, and it is always amazing while you can sense the high level of stoke among everyone.

All in all a perfect day in the high mountains.

The Wildstrubel Hut has a magnificent view, especially as the sun sets.

Have you ever done a ski tour / multi day ski tour?

Did you make some images - why not share them (don’t let them collect dust for as long as I did)!?

Simply hit reply and let me know / comment below.

PS - Next week I will be sharing the images and story from Day 3 (a classic) - stay tuned!

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Until next time ✌🏽.

Cornelius

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Last week’s blog / newsletter:

Easter Ski Tour - Day 1 (A Photo Diary)

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