The first ascent of the Aletschhorn took place on June 18, 1859. It was successfully accomplished by the Englishman Francis Fox Tuckett along with the mountain guides Johann Josef Benet, Peter Bohren, and Victor Tairraz.
Glacier Feedings
After the Finsteraarhorn, the Aletschhorn is the second highest elevation in the Bernese Alps massif. On its northern flank lies the Great Aletsch Glacier. Additionally, the Aletschhorn is the origin of both the Upper Aletsch Glacier and the Middle Aletsch Glacier. Due to its exposed location and susceptibility to strong winds, the Aletschhorn is considered the coldest mountain in the Alps.
An Upside-Down Mountain
Geologically speaking, the Aletschhorn literally turns the world upside down: The summit consists of much older ancient crystalline rock lying on top of the younger Central Aare Granite. While the southern schist cover of ancient crystalline rock is between 1.2 and 2 billion years old, the young Aare Granite is about 300 million years old.
Ascent to the Aletschhorn
Although the normal routes are technically relatively straightforward, the overall tour is very long and challenging, especially in poor visibility at the summit. The shortest and technically easiest route is from the Mittelaletsch bivouac via the Northeast Ridge. However, in summer, the Southwest Ridge, which starts from the Oberaletsch Hut, is the most frequently used route. This route is more demanding than the Northeast Ridge and significantly longer.
Guided tours to the Aletschhorn
The demanding high-altitude tour in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch can, of course, also be undertaken with the accompaniment of an experienced mountain guide.
Contact:
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BelalpAlpinCenter
3914 Blatten bei Naters
Tel. +41 77 423 08 08
info@belalpalpincenter.ch
www.belalpalpincenter.ch