Trip Report 8/5/2026
Valais, Switzerland
For thirteen years I have been making an annual trip to Saas-Fee, Switzerland to ski on the Fee Glacier. The first three or four trips were for my own training as I pursued summer ski racing in one of the few places operating through the summer months. The extreme glacial environment of Switzerland's 4,000 meter peaks provides ideal snow quality and slopes for this style of training. These camps were in high demand, and my familiarity with the area quickly led to coaching annually in Saas-Fee. Fast forward another ten years, and I am still bringing groups of young skiers to this incredible alpine valley. Over that same decade, my passion for mountain running has grown, and the immense Swiss landscape has become increasingly intriguing.
The town of Saas-Fee sits in a dramatic valley ringed by huge glaciers and some of Switzerland's tallest mountains. Most notable from town is the Mischabel group of the Pennine Alps, crowned by the Dom, the Lenzspitze, and the Nadelhorn. The Dom is the third highest mountain in Switzerland at 4,545 meters or 14,911 feet. Access to these peaks begins right from town, with most climbing parties opting to spend a night at the Mischabelhütte. Operated by the Academic Alpine Club of Zurich, this high altitude hut serves warm meals and offers dormitory lodging for over a hundred climbers.
The Mischabelhütte is visible from town and sits only three miles from the trailhead. What the route lacks in horizontal distance, it makes up for with nearly 5,000 vertical feet of continuous climbing. Perched on a sharp arête just below the Hohbalm Glacier, it serves as the ultimate launch point for high alpine ascents. The upper half of the route is so steep that it transitions into a formal via ferrata with substantial exposure.
Having stared up at this hut for over a decade, I decided it was time to finally climb it. A rare day off from ski camp combined with decent weather gave me the window I needed. Running out of town, there was less than a mile of moderate pavement to warm up on before the trail pitched straight up into relentless switchbacks. The direct climb to the hut never eases up. It might be the steepest average grade trail I have ever attempted. Clocking roughly 2,000 vertical feet per mile, my pace slowed to a brisk power hike, my heart rate soared, and I pushed hard to keep what I hoped would be a top five time on the ascent.
On the lower slopes, I passed mountain goats grazing on lush alpine grass before the trail gave way to sharp rock and steep scrambling. The halfway mark is defined by the start of steel cables and iron rungs drilled directly into the rock face. Climbing these features was an exhilarating way to gain the ridge. The exposure on the middle section was intense, where a mistake or fall would be fatal. The via ferrata reached its peak excitement on a 50 foot vertical ladder section that gains the crest of the ridgeline.
From the top of the ladders, the grade mellowed slightly for the final push to the hut. The Mischabelhütte complex consists of two main structures: the primary hut and a winter room that offers basic shelter for climbers year round. Steel protected decks surround the buildings alongside solar arrays and a perched helicopter pad for supply drops and rescues.
I continued above the hut for another thirty minutes hoping to get a clear look at the Hohbalm Glacier and the high summits above. Cloud cover quickly moved in and obscured the highest peaks, but I was able to scout the glacier crossing toward the Nadelhorn and Lenzspitze. The route across the glacier appeared unsafe without a rope and full glacier kit. The Hohbalm Glacier was heavily crevassed and active as it pours out of the summit amphitheater into the icefall below.
My turnaround point in the fog was quiet as I turned back toward the hut. The descent was slow and methodical. Dropping back to Saas-Fee meant undoing 5,700 vertical feet in just three miles, requiring deliberate footwork down the via ferrata cables. The views returned as soon as I dropped below the cloud layer, and I passed several climbing parties carrying heavy packs up to the hut for the night.
I wrapped up the round trip back to my hotel in just over three hours. The workout was exceptional, and the thrill of the via ferrata made this one of my favorite outings in the valley. Exploring these peaks has opened up a whole new realm of interest. The limited free time I have while coaching here begs for a dedicated extension to really dive into what the Swiss Alps have to offer. Reaching the hut felt a lot like climbing my first Colorado 14er. The rabbit hole of possibilities when heading out into these mountains is exactly why I keep returning.
🗺️ Line of Travel:
Saas-Fee ➔ T2 Trail ➔ T3 Mischabelweg ➔ T4 Mischabelweg ➔ Mischabelhütte ➔ T5 Trail ➔ Schwartzhorn(11,873 feet) ➔ Retrace Route
📍Beta:
The T4 section of the route is an exposed via ferrata. Helmets and via ferrata lanyards should be used. The route beyond the Schwartzhorn is heavily glaciated necessitating roped team gear. Water, food and overnight is available at the hut.
📊 Route Stats:
- Distance: 7.33 miles
- Elevation Gain: 5,810 feet
- Moving Time: 2:09:25
- Elapsed Time: 3:15:36
- Average Pace: 17:39 / mile
👟 Gear List:
- Shoes: Dynafit Ultra Pro 2
- Pack: Black Diamond Distance 15 pack
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