Easter Tour to Oberaletsch Hut, April 7, 2023

125 Years of the Grindelwald Mountain Guides Association

Group of people on a snow-covered mountain, some wearing sunglasses, raising their arms.
Group of people on a snow-covered mountain, some wearing sunglasses, raising their arms.

Day 1

On the first day, JO Grindelwald took the train to Valais and the first gondola up to Belalp. We then put on our skins and headed towards the Oberaletsch Hut. Despite the chill, we made steady progress and eventually reached the via ferrata below the hut. We had to tackle the last few meters of elevation, but the enticing aroma of delicious Rösti, fine coffee, and fresh cake spurred us on. Once at the hut, we unpacked our treats and feasted like gods! Many thanks to Irene and the entire hut team.


Day 2

On the second day, we set off early for the Vorderes Geisshorn. Following the motto 'let's search for powpow', we made our way to the summit. After a few hours, we reached the top and were ready for the well-deserved descent. And indeed, we found some beautiful powpow! The descent was fantastic. For dinner, we experimented to see if we could eat spaghetti with the anniversary ice axe. The result: surprisingly, it works quite well!


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Day 3

Today was serious. Our goal: the Aletschhorn at 4194 m!
We made excellent progress and after 6.5 hours, JO of SAC Grindelwald stood on the Aletschhorn with the anniversary ice axe. By 3:00 PM, we were back at the hut. There, we were honored with the task of beheading the Easter Bunny. The hut team didn't have to tell us twice; we grabbed the anniversary ice axe and the bunny, and after a brief eulogy, the bunny was dispatched with a deft blow. The freshly hunted bunny was eaten on the spot, and of course, we shared some with the hut team. Many thanks again for allowing us to perform this ritual.


Day 4

On the fourth and final day, we headed home. We crossed the Beich Pass into the Lötschental and skied down to Blatten. Here too, we found a bit of powpow. Once in Blatten, we enjoyed a delicious lunch. With full stomachs, we made our way home.

Many thanks to Wahli Simon, who accompanied us as a mountain guide and provided us with many tips.
Another thanks goes to the Oberaletsch Hut and the entire hut team for the accommodation and excellent food.

- Report by Lorenz Kaufmann


Three people with helmets and climbing gear on a snow-covered mountain ridge in the Alps.
People with skis and helmets are skiing in the snow in the mountains.
People with helmets and climbing gear are hiking on a snow-covered mountain path under a blue sky.
Group of people with skis and poles in snowy mountains at sunrise.
Group of mountaineers with helmets and ice axes on a snowy summit in front of a mountain panorama.
Mountaineers with helmets and climbing equipment on a snow-covered mountain path in the Alps.
People with skis and poles on a snowy mountain, secured with a rope, surrounded by peaks.
People are standing in a snowy mountain landscape in front of a hut, surrounded by high peaks.
Traces in the snow in front of a mountain backdrop with bright sunshine and clear sky.
Group of people with ice picks on a snow-covered mountain peak, surrounded by an alpine landscape.
Ice pick in front of a snow-covered mountain peak under a blue sky.
Group of people with skis and backpacks in the snowy mountains at dusk.
Group of people with winter clothing and backpacks in snow-covered mountains.
People with ski equipment are ascending a snow-covered slope in a mountain range at sunrise.
A person in winter clothing with an ice pick in a snowy mountain landscape.
Mountain Guide Association Grindelwald Anniversary Ice Axe

125 Years of the Grindelwald Mountain Guides Association

An anniversary, a forged ice a...