Mont Durand,(3713m)
Valais, Switzerland.
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The first day involved climbing to the CAS Mountet Hut from Zinal in the Val de Zinal (1675m) at the head of the Val d'Anniviers. For pictures of this approach see Cabane du Mountet walk. After enjoying spectacular views of the Grand Cornier and the Dent Blanche during this walk in, the latter is again very impressive from outside the Cabane. |
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Derek J.B. Reid and David Coia climbed Mont Durand on the 15th July 1998, with local guide Gege Zufferey. Initially, the route followed the Glacier Durand, which we had to descend to from the Cabane. This is shown in the adjacent photograph. Next we encountered what was to be the hardest part of the ascent. The vertical snow/ice of the Col Durand (3451m) required the use of ice screws and we had to front point with our crampons. The Col is the low point on the ridge between Mont Durand and the Pointe de Zinal (3789m), in the centre of the picture. From here we got our first view of the Matterhorn and the Dent d’Herens.
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The Matterhorn from the summit. |
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Dent d’Herens from the summit. There are also close views of the Dent Blanche and Obergabelhorn, with the Breithorn and many other mountains in the Pennine Alps also visible. |
