Western Switzerland is a climbing mecca that is second to none. From the Bernese Oberland to Valais there are numerous climbing areas that are worth a visit. In this article we present you the 10 most worthwhile climbing crags in this region.
A little audiovisual flashback to start the year: Daniel Woods in Valais. In 2022, the American climbing professional spent a month traveling through western Switzerland and climbed many a classic, including Foundation's Edge (8C), Scarred for Life (8B+) and Compass North (8B+, Flash).
In January 2021, a mountain guide died in an avalanche in the Siviez/Nendaz region. The public prosecutor of the canton of Valais subsequently commissioned a judicial report and is now warning of used Mammut Airbag 3.0 Light Protection 2017 avalanche backpacks. The manufacturer, Mammut, considers the test results to be misleading and has issued a statement.
Anak Verhoeven is unstoppable: In Rodellar, the Belgian manages another 9a+ route with No pain, no gain. The Frenchman Marine Thévenet is also doing well at the moment. She boulders in Fionnay Compass North (8B+).
Sam Anthamatten has mastered several types of alpinism at the highest level. With his Valais colleague Jérémie Heitz, he has climbed six thousand meters in freeride style.
Where the midlife crisis begins for others, he draws 8c. A conversation with the Valais boulderer Théo Chappex about his latest feat Ten Criminals, how he deals with long-term projects and his recipe for success, at almost forty he still climbs like a man in his mid-twenties.