Plenty of sun and warm in the forecast, so off we went to do some hiking and scrambling. We've done the Rigi Hochflue a few times, both scrambling and climbing, but we've never combined the scramble with the logical addition of the Buetzli and Stockflue. Today was the day for that.
Start in Brunnen and head up, up out of town to Kraehen. Up, up a bit more, then on the blue-white path (well marked, easy to follow) towards the Buetzli and Stockflue. Once we get in the sun it's nice and warm, T-shirt weather. Up, up we go in the sun with things getting progressively steeper and a bit scrambly until we hit the Buetzli. Here a quick break to enjoy the views and sun and then further along the path. The route down has a cable which we're actually grateful for, then more up, up through the woods, with a bit of scrambling until we get to the small hut below the Stockflue. Here we leave the path and follow the logical scrambling line which takes us to the top (this is nicely described in the SAC Tourenportal). Up top we are alone and get the bench, where we have a nice food break and enjoy the spectacular views.
After a good break we continue along the blue-white path towards the top of the gondola at Timpel, but we stay on the path towards Egg and the Hochflue. Up top here, particularly on the North side, there some snow, but the going is still easy. We can see the route up the Hochflue, including what looks like a traverse of some steep snow. g is skeptical about that (and we stupidly don't have the ice axes with us), but we continue along the ridge and up, up to check it out. Leave the red-white trail for the blue-white, up up, to the ridge itself, then along the ridge for a bit towards the big snow field. As we're almost there we catch up to another hiker on his own. As the snow amount increases g gets more and more skeptical, but A encourages us to continue as long as we can. When the guy in front of us heads into the snow it's clear that after a few not-so-great steps there are really good, deep, solid tracks to follow up, so we continue. Up, up through the cement-hard snow (you can actually use the ice axe holes from whoever first did this as hand holds!), up, up until we get back to the rock. A steep bit with rock and snow and a bit of ice, but also with a cable and some steps to make it safe, and we're on the final ridge. Here along the ridge, still in snow for a bit. Quick food break in the sun and then the last few minutes to the peak. Good second lunch in the sun at the cross, again with amazing views, and then we take the route down the south face. This is pretty straightforward despite a bit of snow at the top and plenty of mud throughout, but we make it down to Ochsenboden without trouble.
Here we decide to take another new line and follow the path that traverses and descends back to Brunnen. This turns out to be a really nice, not frequently used trail, with great views all along and some interesting steep bits through the woods. We make it back to Brunnen in time to get a yogurt drink before starting the trip back home.
Really nice scrambling day in spring-like conditions, despite the fact that it's January. It's amazing that we haven't done the Buetzi and Stockflue before... they were super fun and I'm sure we'll be back and do them again!
Track and stats to come.
