Western Raaberg – A snowshoe tour to a not so well known

Western Raaberg is not well known amongst the mountains surrounding Amden. After Mattstock, Gulmen, Flügenspitz, Leistchamm and Chapf it only plays the second fiddle. The SAC guide (Säntis und Churfirsten) only describes the eastern most peak (1723 as Raaberg) and doesn’t even mention the highest point with the summit cross (P. 1779 on the Swiss maps). However, it is an interesting peak to climb and offers a nice view down to Amden.

I started my snowshoe hike at noon in Amden at the bottom of the chairlift (which currently is shut down for the season) and walked up to Habergschwänd along the lift. From Habergschwänd I went up to Wallau and there I followed the ski slopes to the top of the Bärenfall ski lift. Then instead of going up directly to P. 1779 I followed some ski tracks which were a day or two old, because I was wondering where they were leading to. The tracks ended at the ridge leading to Mattstock north of Raaberg, not really a prominent peak, but most likely chosen because it is a safe goal during high avalanche risks. I took a little break there and enjoyed the warm sun.

After the break I crossed over towards Western Raaberg and went up the rather steep slope leading to P. 1779. The last few meters are kind of exposed and one has to climb a little bit in order to get to the highest point with the little summit cross (II, T5), but it is not too difficult.

After another break enjoying the really warm weather I then walked back down directly to Bärenfall and via Schletteren to Wallau and then following the ski slopes back down to Amden.

Amden – Habergschänd – Wallau – Bärenfall – P. 1779 and back down again.