How to get there:
Grindelwald (a small tourist/mountaineering village reached
from Interlaken) is a good starting point. Route description:
One can hike from Grindelwald, or take the gondola to First, saving
about 1000 vertical meters. Another possible starting point is the
pass Grosse Scheidegg, served by bus from Grindelwald (no private cars).
There are two routes. They separate above the point Schilt (2258m)
which is the higher point on the trail between Grosse Scheidegg and First.
The hiking route (bears right) involves little
but walking, there is a single point after one gains the ridge
that requires the use of hands with a slight exposure (this is YDS class 2+).
The west ridge route (bears left) gains
the Grosse Chrinne, a small saddle where the west ridge starts.
The route quickly becomes technical if it had not been for the
fixed ropes (wire ropes) and ladders that are bolted directly on
the vertical cliff. There is significant exposure, not a route for
a person with fear of heights. With the ladders I guess a
difficulty of (YDS) class 3 is appropriate. Comments:
I climbed the west ridge (the Klettersteigen route)
with my 10 year old son Paal. He did think it was
scary! One should use a "Via Ferrata Kit", harness, sling and carabiner
for safety on the steep section including the aluminium
ladders that are bolted on the vertical rock face.