Alphubel

The Alphubel (4,206 m, 13,799 ft) is a mountain in the Swiss Pennine Alps. It sits between the valleys of Zermatt and Saas in the canton of Valais. Alphubel is part of the Allalin Group. This group belongs to the Mischabel Group and its highest point is the Dom (4,545 m, 14,911 ft).

The top of Alphubel is a large, icy plateau. This plateau 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 nearest villages to Alphubel are Täsch, north of Zermatt, and Saas-Fee. These villages are liked by people who enjoy exploring the beautiful Alps and snowy landscapes.

Geography

North of Alphubel is a higher mountain called the Täschhorn. It is part of a group of mountains named the Mischabel group. The area around Alphubel has interesting ridges and valleys. The top 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, with their guides Melchior Anderegg and Peter Perren, on August 9, 1860. They started their climb at Täsch and used the south-east ridge and the Alphubeljoch to get there.

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. It is close to the Saas-Fee funicular. However, climbing it is still a high mountain tour with some risks.

The usual path starts from Berghaus Längflue above Saas-Fee. Climbers cross the Fee Glacier to reach the top. This takes 4–5 hours.

Another path begins at Mittelallalin, which you can reach by the Metro Alpin funicular. The climb goes over rocks and passes Feechopf before reaching the summit. This also takes about 4 hours.

From the west, a path starts in Täsch, goes through Täschalp and crosses the Alphubel Glacier. Climbers go along the main ridge to the top. This route takes around 5 hours.

Huts

Some huts help people who climb nearby mountains. 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.