Bristen Nordostgrat
The northeast ridge of the Bristen (3073 m), the striking sentinel above the Maderanertal. Demanding, technical T5 terrain to one of Uri's finest viewpoints.
Up the Bristen by the northeast ridge
The Bristen (3073 m) is the great loner above the Reuss valley, and the northeast ridge is the finest way up: solid gneiss, lovely T5 scrambling with short grade-II moves, exposed but with good holds and footing throughout. As a two-day tour you go from Erstfeld over the Bristen Kohlplatz to the Chli Bristen and sleep high up; on day two over the Bristenseehütte onto the ridge and on to the summit.
Tip: The little Bristenseehütte is ideal for the night (book ahead, room for six). Camping on the Chli Bristen is high and panoramic but rather cramped. Leave your pack at the hut for the summit push.
How it went for me
Even the postbus ride from Erstfeld to the Kohlplatz was grand. We’d meant to take the Breitlaui lift, but you have to phone ahead — no signal, so up on foot in a good three hours to the Chli Bristen. The tent on the summit was cramped, and Olli only had a wool blanket, so he got a bit cold in the night. Up at half five, sunrise, breakfast, then down to the Bristenseehütte and, travelling light, onto the ridge at seven, up top by ten. On the way we crossed rope teams with helmets and a guide, and a guy in trainers and a cap — the Bristen draws everyone. After a swim in the cool Bristensee the descent dragged; in the end the lift helped after all, the operator driving up on his tractor to let us in.
Hero image: Uwelino, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
