UKC

I've got a weekend in Switzerland this weekend, and thinking of doing the Titlis round tour. i.e. the day trip from the summit of Titlis, abseil, skin up to Grassen Biwack, then down to furen alp.

Has anyone got any tips on finding out about current conditions, lenght of abseil etc at the moment?
Any local knowledge out there?

I don't really want to hump 2 50meter ropes out there if I would be better off going to Bannalp!

Also I'm open to suggetions of a swiss tour that can be done over a weekend, that might be in good condition over the weekend.

Thanks!

In reply to MooseMouse:

It's usually done as a day trip (not sure if you're planning on staying in the Grassen). A friend and I have looked at this even time we've been to Engelberg and it's on the to do list for 2014.

We've been told that it's 1x50m ab. And that it's definately 2x 25m abs. Both categorically... I've spoken to to guys who've done it with a guide with 1x50 though but I don't like the idea of lugging all that rope around with me.

Guides' offices tend to be open about conditions and the ski lodge is a good place to ask.

Last week we did Realp -> Albert-Heim Hutte -> Lochberg -> Goscheneralpsee and then down to Goschenen over two days. We'd hoped to keep going over a few days to Engelberg but my footbeds put paid to that

Snow's great at the moment:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.504383022942012.1073741825.102184...

The decent down to the valley isn't straight forward either: good vis and careful route finding are needed, according to the guide I spoke to. The 1:50k freeride map has a route marked roughly but you'll have an easier time following the path on the 1:25k

Hi Hindu, thanks for the info.

I was planning to do it in a day, I've been to grassen Biwack last year and on the descent to furenalp there was no problem route finding, despite the huge avalanches coming off Titlis! I had read that it was difficult, but other than some crust, I couldn't see why? There was a short tricky route finding section near the bottom, finding your way through some trees after the small summer chalet. There is a gorge(on the left in desecent) as an alturnative to the trees, but it looks like a bit of an avalanhce trap, with a huge catchment above, perhaps this is the reason for the reputation?
If in doubt, a trip up the Wissberg opposite would be a good recce, taking a few photos from the cable car from Furenalp of the lower section of the Grassen descent for reference.

For the Titlis round, My SAC guide book seems to say '2x50m' and google translate gives this as two 50m abseils.

uber den kleinen gletscher leicht links haltend zur Schwarzi Nadd, einer markanten Tinne, durch die nochmals 2 x 50m abgeseilt wird. Erster mit ketten gesicherter abseilstand bei der mundung in die rinne

I think I'm going to have to get this translated to be sure!

I'll take a look at your Realp route as a two day alturnative which will save trying to find somewhere to stay in Engelberg on Saturday night also.

I thought the same about the Bannalp round, staying at Rugghuble hut, but is is closed untill Easter, so maybe staying in St Jakob? Have you ever done this?

In reply to MooseMouse:

Afraid I've not done much else there so can't help on the Bannalp round.
The guardian (Marco) isn't always up at the Albert-Heim yet, so worth giving him a ring to let him know if you're gonna be there. He speaks very good English and cooks a mean lasagne!

The step on the ridge that you have to climb over to get to the ab point on the round-Titlis looks sporting in the photos I've seen of guys on it, especially in loose powder. Probably easy but exposed when you're on it though.

Have fun!