Fairhands and Fair Weather in the Grimsel Pass: Photo Gallery
Ric sweating his way up to the base of Fairhands Line with the route looming above. The first two pitches climb up to and along the tapering slabby pillar above Ric.
In my element on the steep corners and cracks of pitch 3. Only a handful of bolts so a good set of medium cams required! Photo credit: Ric Hines
Brilliant views back down the pass across the Handegg slabs from a few pitches up Fairhands Line. Photo credit: Ric Hines
The exposure builds on pitch 4 after pulling out of the awkward groove. Still in the shade at least! Photo credit: Ric Hines
Ric about to embark on the slab crux of pitch 9 – desperate stuff after all that had gone before!
The hulking mass of Sector Hangholzegg on the Handegg with Fairhands Line shown in red.
The enormous slabs of Sector Olberg on the Handegg – the longest route here is 800m long! The upper parts of Chatzenpfad and Engeliweg are shown in red.
Ric approaches the belay at the top of pitch 5 of Chatzenpfad.
Bagging a few bonus pitches of Engeliweg after finishing Chatzenpfad, while not even getting close to the upper slabs! Photo credit: Ric Hines
Dramatic light and shade on the Alplistock as thunder clouds build in the oppressive afternoon heat.
The Sommerloch slabs from the approach path – a clean sweep 250m high
Ric cruising up the superb first pitch of Baal Integral – the route follows the corner-crack before breaking out left through the overlap onto friction-slabs above.
Running it out on the second pitch – despite the (spaced) bolts, the climbing remained insecure and tenuous enough to make this pitch a little worrying!
Tentatively skulking up to our high-point on pitch 5 – bizarrely, not far above where the crack runs out, so too do the bolts. Photo credit: Ric Hines
A familiar sight – abseiling down endless slabs in the heat of the afternoon!
Looking out over Raterichsbodensee towards the Garstenhorner from high on the Sommorloch slabs.
A majestic, beautiful, awe-inspiring piece of nature – sculpted by the hands of the divine potter. The mountains are nice too.
The stunning Pfriendler Pillar in the sharp morning air – Troimli starts up slabs on the left side of the frontal face before following a line close to the left edge
At the start of the difficulties on pitch 1 – the corner steepens and the holds run out, requiring an exposed move onto the face on the left. Photo credit: Ric Hines
Enjoying the steepness of the jug-laden third pitch after dispatching the awkward chimney slot. Photo credit: Ric Hines
Looking over towards the Sustenhorn (left) and the Gwachtenhorn from near the summit of the Pfriendler.
