Lagginhorn is too often underestimated

The Lagginhorn is currently more dead than the Matterhorn.Image: Alain Visinand

Perched above Saas-Gundund, the Lagginhorn (4010m) seems harmless. Meanwhile, Four people lost their lives there this summer. Furthermore, Those who know the mountain describe a deceptive summit. In addition,

Follow me

Alain Visinand (63) spent his whole life in the mountains. Consequently, This telecommunications employee has listed his climbs on a site that bears his family name. Meanwhile, The Lagginhorn is obviously in good place. Meanwhile, “I have climbed it three times: in 1978, 1990 and 2016,” he said without a prefantry. Therefore, On the small description he made of this summit. However, he warns those who would like to try the adventure:

This clarification, made in August 2016, resonates painfully today. Consequently, Four people lost their lives on this summit in the space of 30 days this summer. lagginhorn too often underestimated However, At the end of July. For example, the Grindelwald Mountain Guide Christian Burgener explained to Walliser Bote that there were currently more deaths on the Lagginhorn than on the Matterhorn. Nevertheless, “Why does this mountain cause so many victims?”wondered after him the Haut-Valais media Pomona. Consequently,

Lagginhorn in good weather.Image: Alain Visinand

Response elements have been given in the press. However, They do not specifically refer to the four dramas which took place lately. For example, but they join the impression of the Vaudois Alain Visinand. Furthermore, In The NouvellisteAnjan Truffer. Furthermore, mountain guide and rescue chief in Zermatt, believes that this summit is not “Not taken enough seriously”. Moreover, “It is a rated” lagginhorn too often underestimated PD “rated (not very difficult). Nevertheless, This “easy” access concentrates a large number of mountaineers “. However, notes Pierre Mathey, secretary general of the Swiss Association of Mountain Guides, in 20 Minutes. Moreover,

A absence attractive – Lagginhorn too often underestimated

What elements suggest that this summit is so affordable? In addition, Alain Visinand is well placed to answer this question. Consequently, since he made his three climbs on the back of this mountain at least in August. Consequently, He therefore knows that during episodes of strong heat. as Switzerland has crossed this summer, it is possible to reach 4010m without crampons or picks.

This clarification is not trivial: the prospect of being able to pin a 4000m. without having to progress on a field requiring technical knowledge to what to seduce. “In lagginhorn too often underestimated the 4000 easy, there is also Albishorn, Breithorn or Allalinhorn, But all have a glacier. However there are still people who do not dare to go alone on the glacier, and fortunately“Comments Mr. Visinand, who always wonders” why so many people absolutely want to make a 4000m “. “Unfortunately, too many people are attracted to this symbolic figure,” says a Saas-Grund guide.

A summit “Fastoche like everything”

Social networks undoubtedly play a role. The media Pomona noticed that on Instagram. “there are hundreds of stories and videos on climbs of summits of 4000 meters like the Allalinhorn, the Weissmies but also the Lagginhorn”. However. this multiplication of publications has a double effect: it makes you want to do the same thing, and tends to minimize the risks. “If everyone can do it, why not lagginhorn too often underestimated me?” Seem to say those who choose Lagginhorn for its ease, because it is not the most beautiful mountains.

An example of an Instagram publication (the faces were masked by watson). The legend says: “Lagginhorn 4010 m. Fastoche like everything, in shorts 🩳 (September 2023)”Image: Instagram

It remains a high altitude summit, with its change of land and mood. The weather is enough to be wet for the rocky parts to have a thin layer of ice. on which mountaineers can slide. “You have to get off, but not with anyone,” lagginhorn too often underestimated intervenes Alain Visinand. Because if the one who is at the top of the rope is unable to catch up with the slide of the next/s. everyone changes. Hence the interest of opting for a guide, who knows how to manage a rope perfectly. ”

This is all the more true on a summit like Lagginghorn, insists Mr. Visinand, highlighting a paradox.

Some passages on the Haut-Valais mountain are lagginhorn too often underestimated dizzying.Image: Instagram

A last element attracts the crowd: the prospect of going back. forth in less than a day from Kreuzboden, which visitors can join by cable car. “It attracts people”, shares Alain Visinand, who noted an unreasing evolution in the “tourism” of the mountain.

This is the reason why Mr. Visinand posted a warning message on his website in the Lagginhorn description. “I always try to warn risks because I still described a lot of hikes on my site. and I fear lagginhorn too often underestimated the day when someone writes to tell me that a person followed my advice and fell. I don’t want to send anyone to the pipe breaker. “

Lagginhorn too often underestimated

A confusion tenacious

The Vaudois believes that he is his duty to prevention. He does not understand that others. especially on social networks, “feel forced to say that their excursion was super easy and not that long. I do not understand the meaning of their message. You have to put yourself in the lowest, not the most trained. ”

The weather at the top of Lagginhorn is sometimes capricious.Image: Alain Visinand

These warning messages are. all the more necessary since the rating of the Lagginhorn (“PD” as “unclean”) can be confused. “”What many have trouble understanding is that we talk about a mountaineering rating here, not hikeinsists Alain Visinand. To borrow this type of route. you have to be able to agree, but also to use Piolets and Crampons when necessary. ”

An opinion shared by Anjan Truffer. This mountain guide. rescue chief in Zermatt, cited by The Nouvellistebelieves that too many people think that “little difficult” does not correspond to a high mountain route.

Some are not even lucky enough to be saved, trapped in this mountain whose dangerousness is too often underestimated.

“Bouky” accompanies the winners and certain pursuers lagginhorn too often underestimated on the finish line by making an iconic acrobatics. The mascot of the race tells how it all started.

Sierre-Zinal celebrated his 52nd edition this weekend and as always, lots of things happened during the race. Adrien Briffod achieved a fantastic ride. Katie Schilde a splendid ascent and Kenya reigned supreme by winning both in men (Philemon Kiriago) and among women (Joyline Chepngeno). The two winners were accompanied in the last meters by “Bouky”the Mascot of the Doyenne of mountain races. which celebrated the heroes of the day by making its usual click of extension heels.