Alphubel

The Alphubel (4,206 m, 13,799 ft) is a mountain of the Swiss Pennine Alps, located between the valleys of Zermatt and Saas in the canton of Valais. It is part of the Allalin Group, a subgroup of the Mischabel Group, which reaches its highest point at the Dom (4,545 m, 14,911 ft). The top of the Alphubel is a large ice-covered plateau, which is part of the Fee Glacier on its eastern side. The western side of the mountain is rockier and much steeper. From the summit, you can see the Weingartensee.

The closest places to live near Alphubel are Täsch, which lies north of Zermatt, and Saas-Fee. These villages are popular with people who like to explore the beautiful Alps and enjoy the cold, snowy landscapes.

Geography

North of the Alphubel is the higher Täschhorn, which is part of the Mischabel group. The area around Alphubel has interesting ridges and valleys. The summit of Alphubel is mostly covered with ice and has a flat area. There are several glaciers near the mountain, including the large Fee Glacier.

Climbing history

The first people to reach the top of Alphubel were Leslie Stephen and T. W. Hinchliff, along with their guides Melchior Anderegg and Peter Perren, on August 9, 1860. They began their climb at Täsch and used the south-east ridge and the Alphubeljoch to get there.

Later, in 1863, Emma Winkworth, the daughter of Thomas Thomasson, became the first woman to climb Alphubel.

Routes

The Alphubel is one of the easier four-thousanders in the Swiss Alps to climb because of its shape and closeness to the Saas-Fee funicular. However, climbing it is still a high mountain tour with its own dangers.

The usual path starts from Berghaus Längflue (2,867 m, 9,406 ft) above Saas-Fee. Climbers cross the flat but cracked Fee Glacier to reach the top. This takes 4–5 hours and is considered a little difficult.

Another choice from Saas-Fee begins at Mittelallalin (3,457 m, 11,342 ft), reachable by the Metro Alpin funicular. The climb goes over rocks, passing the Feejoch (3,826 m, 12,552 ft), Feechopf, and Alphubeljoch before reaching the summit. This also takes about 4 hours.

From the west, a well-known path starts in Täsch, goes through Täschalp and Täschhütte, and crosses the Alphubel Glacier. Climbers go over the Alphubeljoch and along the main ridge (Eisnase) to the top. This route takes around 5 hours.

Huts

Some huts help people who climb the mountains nearby. One is called Täsch Hut. Another is Britannia Hut, which you can reach by going through Mittelallalin. There is also Kin Hut, sometimes called Kinhütte. Lastly, there is a small refuge called Mischabeljochbiwak, located between Alphubel and Täschhorn.