From Wolzenalp on the north ridge Speer 1951 m
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- Difficulty
- T5
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- Ascent
- 4 h, 1100 m
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- Descent
- 2–3 h, 920 m
European record in sand and stone
The bench on the concrete platform on top of Speer is very comfortable. At first the solid handrail of the platform may seem rather overdone, but the view down to Toggenburg from the exposed platform can indeed cause dizziness. If you ascend on the itinerary along the north ridge described here, which is equipped with steel cables, you have time to get used to being exposed. With some luck you may see ibex, stoically watching you ascend. The information boards of the geology trail on the summit tell you that the geology of Speer is something special. The conglomerate rock called Nagelfluh (small stones embedded in sandstone), normally a feature of the Mittelland, reaches up to a record high altitude of almost 2000 m.
Route description
Additional information
- Departure point
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Wolzenalp (1115 m)
Sesselbahn Krummenau - Wolzenalp www.wolzen.ch
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- End point
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Amden Niederschlag, Bergstation (1289 m)
Sesselbahn Amden-Niderschlag www.amden-weesen.ch/Attraktionen/Sesselbahn-Mattstock-Sommerbetriebost
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- Time
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Wolzenalp - Bützalpsattel - Elisalp – north ridge - Speer: 4 h
Speer - Ober Chäseren - Hinter Höhi - Niederschlag summit station (- Amden): 2–3 h
- Difficulty / Material
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The Speer north ridge is neither a via ferrata nor an undemanding trail equipped with some steel cables. It is marked white-blue (alpine route). A number of exposed passages require a firm grip and a few passages graded I require som courage, as they need to be overcome without the help of cables. Experienced hikers do not need a via ferrata set, but for beginners it is highly recommended. The other ascent and descent trails marked white-red are easy to negotiate (T3). Be careful in wet weather: Nagelfluh gets dangerously slippery.
- Waypoints
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Amden, Post (908 m)
End point of the tour if you do not take the chair lift
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- Catering and overnight stay
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Alp Oberchäsere
Dormitory, call 055 611 11 71, www.alp-oberchaeseren.ch
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Obere Rossalp
Dormitory and simple meals, call 055 283 12 82 www.linth.net/regional/alpen/rossalp.htm
- Neighbor summit
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The little „brother“ of Speer (another one is Chli Speer) can be added to the tour. It offers an interesting view to the north ridge. At ca. 1600 m on the ascent to the Speer north ridge branch off north-eastward and scramble through the lush vegetation to reach the summit cross and the summit book (T3, add ½ h).
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The second little „brother“ can also be added to the tour. At ca. 1600 m on the ascent to the Speer north ridge branch off north-westward and scramble through the lush vegetation to reach the summit cross and the summit book (T3, add ½ h).
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