Chinzig Chulm

I really enjoyed the route up the Chaiserstock and decided I’d give it a shot, and readjust my plans if conditions aren’t ideal. Well, conditions definitely weren't ideal. The regular route past the local via ferrata was impassable, 40+ degree slopes with shear drops and lots of powder snow. The direct path up to Chinzig Chulm was also a little too steep for my taste, so I took the long route, starting at Biel, then walking along the road to Alp-Käserei Kinzig, then up to the left of Stock, and finally along the backside of Chinzig Chulm to reach the summit.

The snow was absurdly deep at some points; I was usually between calf and knee deep in snow, if not deeper if there was a gap hidden under the snow. What should have been a 3h30min round trip from Biel to Chinzig Chulm and back ended up taking that long just to go up, even with snowshoes. I think reaching the Chaiserstock was definitely a little ambitious, especially since the chimneys leading up to the row of mountains containing Fulen and Chaiserstock were also incredibly steep and likely not safe to traverse. The weather was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky, the snow was sparkling, and I got to see a couple deer, so I have no complaints about not getting up to my original peak.

Cable-car up to Biel.

Just past Biel; the tracks disappeared soon enough. I think I was early enough in the season that they were still working on the skii cable cars.

No more tracks in the snow until the way back.

The view from beside Stock, with Biel visitble far below.

Left to right, Rossstock, Fulen, and Chaiserstock from beside Stock.

Little steeple beside Chinzig Chulm. The direct way down from here was too steep, so I traced my footsteps back to Stock and Biel.

Why take switchbacks when you can hoof it down the mountain.

Some sparse clouds in the evening.