Handegg via "Bügeleisen", 6a, 200m

For our Grimsel granite season opener Mark, Kai and I went for the five pitches and 200 meters of "Bügeleisen" on Handegg. Comfortably short approach and solid bolting make this a climb firmly in the "plaisir" category. We had a few route finding questions on the first pitch - it looks like since our topo was drawn, new routes have been added, making the bolting in the beginning slightly confusing. Mark and I alternated leads. Topping out is a bit anti-climatic. There's no well defined end of the route - you just randomly start rapelling in the middle of a slab. Nice day out with a lot of good conversation on the "commute" ;-)

Approach in a dry riverbed.

Mark demonstrating proper belay technique around your partner's neck.

Luigi's and my trauma wall: The mirror wall. The low angle smooth slab glistening wet with a horrible approach over patches of snow.

Good mood halfway up.

Steep and smooth.

Me working up a nice flake.

Don't let the looks deceive you - the wind was biting cold.

Kai and Mark coming up.