The Swiss Alps. Kev Reynolds

The Swiss Alps

While we may imagine that the Golden Age of Mountaineering was also a golden age of untarnished nature, it would be totally unrealistic to believe that the Alps could ever return to the conditions experienced by a handful of 19th-century pioneers who had the mountains virtually to themselves. Yet those of us who cannot resist their lure can do several things to minimise our personal impact on them, no matter how small and insignificant they may seem. Multiplied many thousands of times, they can make a difference.

Äsch and its thunderous waterfall (Chapter 6:3)

INFORMATION AT A GLANCE

Communications When making a telephone call to Switzerland from the UK, the international dialling code is 0041. To call the UK from Switzerland use 0044. Cashless call boxes are operated by a phone card (Taxcard) on sale at post offices, newsagents and railway stations. Many call boxes also accept payment by credit card.

Currency The Swiss Franc (CHF); 100 centimes/rappen = CHF1. The Euro (€) is accepted as a means of payment in establishments near a border, but change will be given in Swiss francs. Major credit cards can be used in most hotels, mountain inns and some huts. ATM (cash machines) are located in the majority of towns and tourist resorts.

Emergency telephone number 117 for police/mountain rescue.

Formalities Visas are not required by holders of a valid UK passport or by other EU nationals. Visitors from other countries should enquire at their local Swiss embassy.

Health precautions There are no endemic contagious diseases in Switzerland, and at the time of writing no vaccinations are required for visitors entering the country, unless arriving from an area where cholera or yellow fever are prevalent, in which case an International Health Certificate will be needed. Consideration should be given to protection from tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) which is carried by the Ixodes tick. Risk is seasonal (March to September) and anyone engaged in outdoor activities could be vulnerable. Inoculation is available from travel clinics – seek advice from your GP. Any medical treatment in Switzerland must be paid for; make sure you have adequate health insurance.

Languages spoken French, German (Schwyzerdütsch), Italian and Romansch, but English is widely understood in many popular areas.

Mountain huts More than 350 huts (manned, unmanned and bivouac shelters) are located throughout the Swiss Alps, most of which belong to the SAC. Reductions in overnight fees are given to members of European Alpine Clubs, and to holders of a reciprocal rights card available to members of the British Mountaineering Council (www.thebmc.co.uk).

National mountaineering organisation Schweizer Alpen-Club, Monbijoustrasse 61, Postfach, CH-3000 Bern 61, Switzerland www.swiss-sport.ch/sac-cas.

Tourist information Switzerland Tourism, 30 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9ED www.MySwitzerland.com.

Leave no litter and take your rubbish back to the valley for proper disposal.

Recycle plastic bottles, glass and aluminium drinks cans (recycling bins are found in many Swiss resorts).

Resist scree running; stick to footpaths and avoid taking shortcuts which can lead to soil erosion.

If there is no alternative but to defecate in the open, do so well away from paths and places where others might take shelter, and at least 30m from streams and lakes. Dig a hole, bury faeces and cover, and burn used toilet paper, taking care not to set fire to vegetation.

Do not pick wild flowers (many are protected, but even those that are not should be left for others to enjoy), and avoid disturbing wildlife.

Wild camping is officially forbidden in Switzerland, but permission is often granted by farmers to those who request it. To minimise the impact, pitch your tent for one night only, light no fires and leave the site as pristine as you found it.

CHAPTER 1: CHABLAIS ALPS

The Dents du Midi group, together with frontier mountains south of Lac Léman and to the west of the Rhône valley, in Canton Valais.

Lac d’Antème lies at the foot of the NW Face of the Dents du Midi, with a small, privately owned refuge nearby

CHABLAIS ALPS: CHAPTER SUMMARY

Location

In Canton Valais, south of Lac Léman (the Lake of Geneva) and west of the Rhône valley. The district’s southern boundary is drawn by the Emosson lakes on the French border, and by the Vallée du Trient which drains to the Rhône above Martigny.

Highlights

Walks

Tour des Dents Blanches (1:2)

Tour des Dents du Midi (1:2)

Tour du Ruan (1:5)

Tour de la Vallée du Trient (1:5)

Climbs

Via Ferrata de Tière (1:2)

Assorted routes on the Dents du Midi (1:2)

Traverse of the Sallière-Ruan Group (1:3)

NE Face of the Tour Sallière (1:5)

Summits for all