Krönten
A high tour up the Krönten (3108 m) above the Erstfeld valley — from the Kröntenhütte over rock and firn to a scenic Uri summit.
Climbing and summit on the Krönten
The Krönten above the Erstfeldertal combines rock climbing and mountaineering. From Erstfeld the approach runs over Bodenberg and Geissfad to the Prögenstöckli, where there are worthwhile multi-pitches, and on up a long, partly hard climb to the ridge. The glacier is far less broken today than it once was; over the ridge and a short climbing section you reach the Chli Krönten and the main summit (WS+). The way back leads over the Grauw Stock and the Obersee to Erstfeld.
Tip: Take on water in good time — the reserve is used up quickly on the climb, but you can refill from meltwater below the glacier. Allow plenty of time for the ridge with a heavy pack.
How it went for me
At the Prögenstöckli we first climbed a few very fine multi-pitches before the long haul up to the Krönten came — a good seven and a half hours, tough in places. The glacier was luckily far tamer than expected, but climbing the ridge with the full pack was hard work. Just before the Chli Krönten we took a bypass on the right (T3+), which still ends in a climbing move — we hadn’t protected ourselves well enough there, a lesson for next time. The two and a half litres of water were gone before the glacier; luckily we could refill from meltwater.