- Brief description
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An attractive and relatively short ski tour on the Sackhorn for ski tourers with some Alpine experience. The descent from the summit is difficult and needs a deep covering of snow.
- Difficulty
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medium
- Rating
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- Starting point
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Mountain station "Gandegg"
- Route
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Sackhorn (3,204 m)3.3 kmWiler (Lötschen) (1,419 m)11.3 kmLonza11.5 kmSporting11.9 km
- Best season
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AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul
- Description
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The Sackhorn lies on the boundary between the cantons of Berne and Valais between the Gasterental Valley in the north and the Lötschental Valley in the south. The summit lies along a long ridge separating the two valleys from each other. In the south-west, the Sackhorn is joined to the Hockenhorn beyond the Märbiglücke, and in the north-east it is separated from the Elwertätsch by the Tennbachlücke. Wild cliff walls fall down into the Gasterental Valley, interspersed by small hanging glaciers.
- Directions
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From the mountain station at the Hockenhorngrat you follow the piste untill the beginning of the Milibach slope. From there you clilmb in a north-easterly direction until you are just below the rocky promontory that sweeps down from the 2,919 metre point on the 1:25,000 scale map. You can also reach the rocky promontory from the Hockenhorngrat mountain station by descending just over 350 vertical metres down the ski slope. The tour then leads more steeply into the saddle to the north of the 2,911 metre point. It then continues in a north-easterly direction across the Tennbachgletscher (Tennbach Glacier) and into the couloir that leads to the ridge to the east of the Sackhorn. You may have to complete the final few metres on foot across rocks in the saddle depending on the snow conditions. Keep left on the ridge over a steep slope up to the summit ridge, which then flattens out.
Descents options
A direct descent from the summit down the ascent route is possible when there is adequate snow and safe conditions but is classified as "difficult" due to the 43° gradient 40 vertical metres above the saddle and the 40° gradient in the upper section of the couloir. There are a few attractive descent options for the descent below the Tennbachgletscher:
Descend to the west of the Stieltihors (refer to Route 329b on the Jungfrau Region Ski-Touring Map 264S) Descend through the Spalihorn Gully (refer to Route 329d on the Jungfrau Region Ski-Touring Map 264S) - Highest point
- 3,174 m
- Endpoint
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Sackhorn
- Exposition
- Height profile
- © outdooractive.com
- Equipment
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A full set of glacier equipment is essential. Picks and crampons are recommended in the couloir and on the summit slope depending on snow conditions.
- Safety instructions
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We recommend that a state-certified mountain guide accompanies you on this ski tour
Plan your tour carefully
Ensure that you have a full set of appropriate equipment
Never embark on a tour alone
Inform friends, relatives, the mountain hut supervisor or the hotel porter of your proposed tour. Report back when you arrive at your destination.
Keep a constant eye on weather developments
Adhere to the principle: if in doubt, turn back! - Tips
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Skitourenkarte Jungfrau 264S (The Jungfrau Region Ski-Touring Map 264S) - This 1:50,000 scale topographical map includes the ski tours in the Lötschental Valley, which are described in more detail in the SAC Tour Guide available from the Lötschental Tourist Information Office in Wiler or online at www.loetschental.ch/webshop
- Additional information
- Arrival
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Drive into the Lötschental from Goppenstein, past the villages of Ferden and Kippel as far as Wiler to the valley cable car station. Take the cable car up to the Lauchernalp, then continue on lifts to the mountain station "Hockenhorngrat".
- Public transportation
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The postbus runs every hour from Gampel/Steg or Goppenstein to Wiler ("Wiler, Seilbahn" postbus stop). Take the cable car up to the Lauchernalp, then continue on the lifts to the mountain station "Hockenhorngrat".
- Parking
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You can park your car in the outdoor car park or in the indoor car park beside the cable car valley station (not free).
- Author
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The tour Sackhorn is used by outdooractive.com provided.
General info
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Oberwallis
118
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Lötschental
62
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Kippel
11