From Handegg or the cable car mountain station Gerstenegg | Ski tour

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Gelmerhütte SAC
Ski tour
- From Handegg or the cable car mountain station Gerstenegg
From Handegg or the cable car mountain station Gerstenegg

From Handegg or the cable car mountain station Gerstenegg Gelmerhütte SAC 2412 m

Difficulty

D
Ascent

4:30–5 h, 1100 m
Exposure

S, SW, W

If the Handegg – Gerstenegg cableway is running, it is also possible, upon request, to start from the Gerstenegg (Guttannen, Breitwald) stop. Information and street bulletin: http://www.grimselwelt.ch/skitouren. Cablecar station: +41 33 982 29 11. Local bus service: +41 58 448 20 08. Grimsel taxi: +41 33 973 12 09.

Start at the top station of the Gerstenegg cable car. © Fabian Lippuner

Short descent to Chüenzentennelen © Fabian Lippuner

Steep ascent in the area of the summer trail. © Sibyl Heissenbüttel

On the summer trail.: depending on conditions, skis may have to be carried in places. © Fabian Lippuner

Shortly before the Gelmersee. © Fabian Lippuner

The drained Gelmersee. © Sibyl Heissenbüttel

On the drained Gelmersee, the hut on the top left. © Fabian Lippuner

Other conditions: View from the end of the lake at Alplibach over the lake and to the dam. The path along the right bank of the lake is carved into the granite over long stretches. © Annina Reber

On the final ascent to the hut. © Sibyl Heissenbüttel

Finally steep to the hut. © Fabian Lippuner

Overview: The summer trail runs diagonally from right to left above through the rocky gully. © Fabian Lippuner

On the descent you can ski more or less depending on the snow conditions. © Fabian Lippuner

Entrance to the Gelmergasse. © Fabian Lippuner

Open terrain after the Gelmergasse, view to the Handegg. © Fabian Lippuner

Route description

Cable car station – Hindrem Stock

From the valley station (1310 m) follow the Grimselpass road for about 3 km to the sharp bend at about 1500 m. From there turn east and climb the so-called "Gelmergasse", a steep, 100 m high, 39° couloir to Hindrem Stock (abour 1650 m).

Variant: Gerstenegg – Hindrem Stock

If you manage to secure a place on the cable car (book in advance!), Hindrem Stock (about 1650 m) can be reached more easily, with a simple short descent on the Grimselpass road in ca. 20 minutes. Turn off the Grimselpass road at P. 1597 m and pass Stockseewli (a small lake) to reach Hindrem Stock.

Hindrem Stock – Undrist Diechter

From Hindrem Stock, follow an airy summer path through the rock face to reach the Gelmersee. You may have to carry the skis in a few places. Then, depending on conditions, cross the lake directly (see variant 2), or otherwise, for people who aren't Jesus (the lake rarely freezes at this end) cross the dam and follow the line of the summer path along the NW bank until Heubalm, a small peninsula, after which it is more normal to find trustworthy ice. For those still fearful of an icy baptism, it is sometimes possible to follow the summer path all the way, but this tends to be a tedious and/or very delicate affair.

Variant 2: full crossing of the Gelmersee

Direct crossing of the Gelmersee. Rarely possible these days.

Undrists Diechter – Gelmerhütte SAC

Ascend the valley to the rock band below P.2224, which is overcome at its eastern end in the area of the summer path. Then climb Northeast over the moderately steep (30 °) west facing slope to the hut.

Additional information

Departure point

Guttannen, Breitwald (1310 m)

Get there Google Maps

Guttannen, Breitwald

Crux: The section "Gelmergasse", after 100 m height gain and before the Gelmersee is steep at 39 °, narrow and somewhat exposed. Depending on the conditions of the lake, you may cross it directly or, if unsure, follow the line of the summer foot path along the NW bank, which can be also be 'dicey'.

Remarks: In recent years, only the rear part of Gelmersee (lake) has been frozen over. Before trying this tour, you must call the hut keeper and ask about conditions.

www.grimselwelt.ch the webcam on the dam wall provides an up-to-date overview.

Altitude difference and time from Handegg.

Waypoints

Gerstenegg, top station (1705 m)

Starting point for the variant. For information on the Handegg – Gerstenegg cabelway see www.grimselwelt.ch/skitouren