Approach to the Cabane Mountet
to view the “Imperial Crown”
Valais, Switzerland
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First climbed on the 8th July 1997 and repeated on the 14th July 1998 and 17th July 2001 this walk must lead to the most spectacular viewpoint in the Alps. The “Imperial Crown” features the Obergabelhorn, Mont Durand, Pointe de Zinal, Dent Blanche and Grand Cornier. The first photograph shows the Pointe de Zinal in the far distance on the right handside, with the slopes of the Dent Blanche, just visible on the left of the Grand Cornier with the La Navisence river in the foreground, about 45 minutes from Zinal. The Weisshorn can also be viewed from this point A well marked path then bears to the left of the River and climbs steeply, allowing for quick and relatively easy progress. During the ascent the Dent Blanche and Grand Cornier dominate the view. (as shown adjacent) |
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The Imperial Crown (the finest “one day walk” viewpoint in the alps?) The central peak is the Obergabelhorn (4063m) with Mont Durand lying to the right of the picture. To climb Mont Durand takes about 3 hours from the Mountet Hut via the Durand Glacier and the Col Durand. |
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The panorama continues with Mont Durand, Pointe de Zinal and the slopes of the Dent Blanche. |
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Next is this stunning view of the Dent Blanche (4357m) with the Glacier du Cornier in the foreground. When we climbed this in 1997 there had been a recent fall of snow which enhanced the scenery by ensuring even lower parts of the glaciers were still snow covered, which is unusual for this time of year. On repeat climbs in July I have not seen such conditions. |
