Kesch Hut to Grialetsch Hut

A mellow day with a choice of route options

Ski Touring Moderate

Distance: 12 km
Ascent: 932 m
Descent: 1 km
Duration: 5-6 hrs

Low Point: 2.2 km
High Point: 3 km
Gradient: 37˚

There are some route choices for today, depending on conditions, fitness and weather. The most interesting route, as marked here, is to go over a high shoulder on the S side of Piz Grialetsch, but this is a higher alternative, at over 3000m. In more dubious conditions better would be to go further W, over the Scalettapass at 2605m, N down the far side and a steady skin up to the Grialetsch Hut from the W.

View from the Kesch Hut Photo: Matteo Leoni

Mellow skinning Photo: Bergrettung Liechtenstein

Cruisy open slopes Photo: Bergrettung Liechtenstein

Sunset from the hut Photo: Bergrettung Liechtenstein

Description

Whichever route you decide on, begin by skiing down from the hut for several kilometres gently down to Alp Funtuana at 2191m. You will need to leave in good time because your skin up towards Piz Grialetsch is relatively steep and on S facing slopes. This will be quite a contrast from the chilly ski down you have done first thing.

Access Vallorgia by a steep rising traverse, which then eases off for a while then steepens again between 2500m and 2700m. Skirt the remnant glacier, heading due N, until you are on a high shelf under the rocky ridge linking the Scalettahorn and Piz Grialetsch, passing close to point 3020m. An additional option would be to take in the summit of Piz Grialetsch. This can be done either from your high point or by going along the ridge from in between the two previously mentioned summits.

Your descent faces NE, so is usually nice cold snow, but despite the fun skiing remember to traverse to the L at around 2700m in order to get to remote-feeling Grialetsch Hut.