The top of First summit

The names of the peaks in the Alps are sometimes very representative of their shape. There are many places where there are peaks called “The Castle”. This is not due to human construction, but is related to the shape of the mountain, which has large rock walls, resembling a wall. The First, which is located between the Entschlige and Kander valleys and which means literally the rooftop, is not an exception. Indeed, this summit is a long ridge with two sides, resembling a two-slope roof.

About thirty years ago, I climbed this summit from the Allmenalp and descended to Kandersteg via the Golitsche Alp. That is why we had planned to climb this summit again, but this time from the Elsigenalp to the Allmenalp.

To reach Elsigenalp, we took the cable car. However, to reach the starting station, we took a bus to Achsete, where another small bus picked us up.

From the Elsigenalp, the trail is the same as the one leading to the Elsighorn summit. It is only at Obere Elsige that the trail branches off to cross a small valley leading to the Golitschepass. From there, you have a great view of Kandersteg. From the pass, instead of descending to Golitsche, you follow a ridge before crossing a very exposed traverse under the Stand. In doing so, you can climb up the other side of the Stand to reach its summit.

From the Stand, you descend a little before climbing up to cross under the Howang. There are some rocky passages that require attention, and it is under the First Summit that things become a little more serious. However, cables help you along.

The First Summit, which is in the shape of a ridge, does not offer much space. However, the view from the summit is remarkable.

The descent is along a trail that is sometimes quite unpleasant, as the snow carries the earth down in the spring and the trail is very steep. It is only at the Steintal Alp that the slope becomes a little less steep (even though the trail crosses some very steep slopes).

From the Allmenalp, you can either walk down to Kandersteg via the Ryharts hut or take the cable car down to Bütschels. We chose the latter option.

Route: Elsigenalp – Golitschepass – Stand – First – Steintal – Undere Allme
Distance: 8.5km
Elevation gain: 850m
Duration: 4h