The Dammastock: 19th April 2008

Climb the Dammastock. At 3630 metres, the highest point of the Urner Alps

A wild and little frequented area of the Swiss Alps

Dammastock is the highest mountain in central Switzerland, and hence offers a wonderful view to many mountains within a radius of 100 km. Lesser known but no less impressive than its neighbouring Bernese Oberland the summit ridge of the Dammastock borders the Valais which looks over towards the Jungfrau and the Finsteraarhorn.It was first climbed by Albert Hoffmann-Burkhardt with guides Johann Fischer and Andreas von Weissenfluh in 1964.

In an area which regularly boasts exceptional snow conditions,this ski tour takes you to a selection of summits, on your way to the Dammastock on the penultimate day. Based in three different refuges for the week, you will get the opportunity to reach summits even on the traverse stages between huts. With a possible peak on every day there is steep skiing in awesome glacial surroundings.

The final descent into the Guttanen valley is long and unforgettable.

Ski Touring Itinerary
DAY 1 - Fly to Zurich or Geneva
We pick you up in our minibus and drive you to Meiringen where we will spend the night. At this point you will meet your guide, be briefed and given time to prepare for the tour.

DAY 2 - To the Steigletscher hotel
The first day of this tour, we will attempt to drive as far as possible towards the hotel at 1865 metres. This will give us the time to drop off some kit, get the best beds and climb to the summit of the Giglistock(2900 metres) before skiing back down to the hotel where we will spend the first night.

DAY 3 - To the Tierberglihutte and up the Mittl.Tierberg
From the hotel this morning, we climb the glacier steadily until we reach the Tierberglihutte at 2795 metres. Once again it will be possible to drop off some kit before continuing upwards towards the days summit. Most of the climb is on skis as the glacier takes us up to the summit ridge. The final hundred metres is likely to be on foot to the peak of the Mittl. Tierberg at 3418 metres. Although the descent today is only short(700 metres), the snow conditions on this North East facing glacier should be very good. We spend the night at the Tierberglihutte.

DAY 4 - The Sustenhorn and the Gwachtenhorn
From todays refuge we hope to make it to the top of two peaks. The Sustenhorn at 3503 metres lies east of the refuge and is reached on skis by the Steigletscher. West of this is the second peak at 3420 metres. This is also reached entirely on skis before the descent back to the same hut where we will spend the night.

DAY 5 - To the Trifthutte via the Steihushorn
This is primarily a traverse stage in which we head South West to our next refuge from where we will attempt the Dammastock tomorrow. From the refuge in the morning we climb to a col at 2986 metres before skiing down over 1000 metres to the Triftgletscher which we cross before our next climb. We then climb quite steeply to the pass at 2660 metres where we join the glacier which will lead us to the summit of the Steinhushorn at 3124 metres.

This is followed by a ski down to the Trifthutte at 2520 metres where we will spend the night. The final stage of the route is under the terrific sight of the tumbling seracs of the Triftgletscher.

DAY 6 - The Dammastock
This is the main summit day of the route and is achieved entirely on skis. There is a little over 1100 metres of climb today heading South East on the upper reaches of these awesome glaciers. The summit at 3630 metres offers commanding views of the Bernese Oberland, the Urner Alps and the Todi. We will enjoy a fantastic and non technical ski back before returning to the Trifthutte for a well deserved beer and Roschti!

DAY 7 - One final peak and a great ski down to Grimselpass
Heading South out of the refuge we will climb to the summit of the Tieralpistock at 3382 metres. From here we meet the upper reaches of the Rhone gletshcer where we will begin our final and most memorable ski descent towards Grimselpass.
From the end of the tour we will return by train to Mairingen where we will spend the final night of the trip.

DAY 8 - Fly back to UK
You will be transferred back to the airport via PMT minibus where you will meet your returning flight home.

A FOLLOW ON WEEK ?
It would also be possible to continue onto a second week of ski touring either in the Todi or the Bernina Alps. Speak to our UK office for details.

Please Note: This itinerary may be altered if conditions, weather forecasts or the overall fitness of the group are judged to put the safety of the group at risk. Pyrenean Mountain Tour guides and instructors reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary without notice. These changes will be explained to the group if they occur.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING NEEDED FOR THIS TREK
We recommend that people joining this trek are equipped with the following:

Technical equipment
Ski Touring Skis with Touring Bindings
Ski Poles
Skins (with good glue!)
Ski Crampons
Crampons
Ski Strap (for tying top of the skis together when carrying on rucksack)
Avalanche Transceiver
Snow Shovel

Clothing suggestions
Thermal underwear- 1 set as a base layer
Fleece
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof over trousers
Warm hat
Warm gloves
Warm walking socks
Sun hat or peaked cap
Sunglasses/Goggles

Other useful items
40-60 litre rucksack (needs side straps so that you can carry skis)
Head torch and batteries
Sun block for face and lips
Personal First Aid kit (plasters,compede, paracetamol)
Water bottle or Platypus
Penknife

Optional items
Change of clothing to include: underwear,tracksuit bottoms/ long-johns,dry shirt, spare socks.
Camera and film
Paperback novel
Maps
Ear plugs(there is always one snorer)
Snack bars/dried fruit/chocolate
Sheet sleeping bag (if you like them...)

Ski Touring Equipment Hire
Pyrenean Mountain Tours offer a full equipment hire pack. You can hire everything you need for this tour or individual items at the costs shown in the table below. Costs shown are per week. We are unable to provide equipment "last minute" so you need to book what you need well in advance.

Please remember to carry as little gear as possible. A heavy rucksack will make the trip hard work and less fun.