Forum Index > Trip Reports > Mürren to Gimmelwald - Via Ferrata (Aug 7, 2012)
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Gimpilator
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Gimpilator
infinity/21M
PostMon Aug 13, 2012 11:06 am 
I went to Switzerland to climb Dufourspitze and Mont Blanc. Unfortunately an untimely illness forced me to evacuate the Monte Rosa massif after the first three days and hurry down to the town of Visp for emergency surgery. I'm still recovering but I was able to salvage the trip by doing several short easy summit hikes and one via ferrata. I may post reports for Breithorn, Castor, Pollux, Ludwigshoehe, Schilthorn, Tschuggen, and Lauberhorn later this week.
The Mürren-Gimmelwald ferrata runs along the top of the cliffs on the west side of Lauterbrunnen valley. It crosses several gorges as it makes a descending traverse which loses 1000 feet of elevation before reaching Gimmelwald. Highlights include multiple ladders, wire crossings and a suspension bridge.
1500 feet of exposure
1500 feet of exposure
Stechelberg Below
Stechelberg Below
A Happy Climber
A Happy Climber
Ladders
Ladders
Three Climbers On The Suspension Bridge
Three Climbers On The Suspension Bridge

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Redwic
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Redwic
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PostMon Aug 13, 2012 11:43 am 
Nice exposure shots. I am glad you are home safe (and healthy)!

60 pounds lighter but not 60 points brighter.
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PorcupinePhobia
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PostMon Aug 13, 2012 11:52 am 
Sorry about the surgery. As we say in the ER, we don't get many reservations. This via ferrata stuff is pretty awesome, first time I've seen something like that. Seems like a lot of work/maintenance, although I'm sure we could talk the FS into it clown.gif Crazy Europeans dizzy.gif

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twodogdad
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PostMon Aug 13, 2012 11:54 am 
Ah, the via ferrata: we need a few of those here. You more than salvaged your trip if you did Castor and Pollux et al. up.gif tdd

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contour5
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PostMon Aug 13, 2012 1:10 pm 
Nice salvage, hope you're making a speedy recovery. The ladders are kinda scary looking, but that bridge is the coolest thing ever! Wish we did more stuff like that here...

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BarbE
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PostMon Aug 13, 2012 1:54 pm 
I love that area. It's been several years since I've been there last, and I had no idea about the Mürren/Gimmelwald Klettersteig. A fairly new installation perhaps. confused.gif

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Magellan
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Magellan
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PostMon Aug 13, 2012 2:20 pm 
Sweet trip. up.gif

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Snowdog
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PostMon Aug 13, 2012 4:53 pm 
way cool! up.gif (except for the getting sick part)

'we don't have time for a shortcut'
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kayaker
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kayaker
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PostMon Aug 13, 2012 9:10 pm 
That's a pretty sweet Via. There is one in WV that I have done, although it is nothing like that.

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puzzlr
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puzzlr
Mid Fork Rocks
PostMon Aug 13, 2012 9:42 pm 
Oh man! That is so on my list now. Too bad our family already did a trip in that area when the kids were younger. It's going to be hard to talk my wife into going back without telling letting on about via ferrata being my secret agenda! It's blasphemy around here to suggest it, but IMO Garfield Mountain would be a great place for a few via ferrata for the adventurous tourist. Heck, Infinite Bliss is already a via ferrata with bolts 50 feet apart! Bring your own cable-rope. And you nailed the music in the video. Hope everything works out for you re the medical emergency.

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Jim Dockery
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PostTue Aug 14, 2012 5:30 am 
Glad you're ok. Guess there is no good time to get sick. The Swiss look like they maintain their via ferratas better than the Italians. Great shots up.gif

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Eek
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Eek
still kind of a dork
PostTue Aug 14, 2012 7:43 am 
Great video in a cool area. I don't recall that via ferrata being there when I was there in 2005, although it could have been and I just didn't hear about it. Looks fun. Guess I'm going to have to figure out a way to go back!

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Eric
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Eric
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PostTue Aug 14, 2012 8:01 pm 
Glad to hear that you are feeling better again Mr. Gimpilator. Too bad about the timing of the illness but you're young and the peaks aren't going anywhere. wink.gif Cool via ferrata. I wish we had more of those in the US. Not a lot, but a few more.

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Noble Hiker
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PostFri Aug 17, 2012 2:43 pm 
I lived in Switzerland for a few years. Lauterbrunnen tal is one of those rare places on earth. Thanks for the pics. Do they have those ladders and handles the entire way up the rock face?

"Be not weary in well doing."
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campwire
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PostWed Aug 22, 2012 7:12 am 
See any base jumpers while on route?

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