Schweiz extrem WEST
(Volume 2)

Author: Sandro von Känel

After the first volume of “Extreme West” was published in 2023, the second volume of “extrem WEST” is now in print. This guide describes the most beautiful, extreme multi-pitch areas (from 6a) from Fribourg via the Bernese Oberland to Vaud as well as some areas in Valais. The original plan was to put them both into your hands at the same time. But, with all the new big hard multi-pitch routes going up at the time, I was forced to abandon that idea. The previous edition was way back in 2010 and since then so much has been done. So, after two years of additional research and climbing these beautiful new hard routes, here is the second volume to “Extreme West”. The following areas are the best and most beautiful that Switzerland has to offer. Some areas such as the Wenden for example, are right up there in the highest echelons of European climbing. The diversity is huge. The West is predominantly limestone walls…with the exception of the Petit Clocher du Portalet. The East is mostly granite formations such as you will find in the Grimsel and Furka Pass areas. Since the surge in route development in the 90s, crowds have decreased significantly. Technically challenging and bold long routes seem to be less the fashion these days. Trends are ever changing. It is, therefore, my hope that this guidebook will inspire you to visit these magnificent walls again. Reichenbach, Bernese Oberland, April 2025

Sandro von Känel

Support Rebolting

With the purchase of this guidebook, you are supporting the organizations “Rebolting” and “Plan Vertical”, as well as the Wallis Mountain Guide Union, which supports the rebolting of established routes. 3% of each sale goes directly toward the cost of new bolts.