Lyskamm

Today we had a monster climb, starting from the Rossi Volante bivouac hut. We climbed Castor’s West Face in lighning time, crossed the Felikjoch pass, then ascended the West Ridge of Lyskamm. A very fine route to a tremendously high and remote summit (4,479m) … it really gives you the impression of being in the middle of total wilderness, particularly as we were only the second team on the route.

The return was utterly knackering. We had to climb Castor AGAIN, cross the glacier, retrieve our gear from the feral little hut, then walk several miles back over the Breithorn Pass to catch the cablecar. In total, we have climbed around 1,500m today, walked six or seven miles, and stood on the summits of two mountains over 4,000m (one of them twice!)

Anyway not sure what else we’re going to be up to, but Monte Rosa might still be on the cards if the weather improves. At the moment, it’s snowing in the high mountains. =(