Mountain refuge Wiwannihütte

Between dry terraces and high mountain of Valais

Above the Baltschieder valley, the land gains height quickly and leaves behind the low roads to enter a more open, stony and exposed mountain. In this change of environment it appears Wiwannihütte at 2470 meters, in the upper part of the commune of Baltschieder, inside the canton of Vallés. Its position fits well in itineraries that link intermediate heights with clearly alpine terrain, and also as support in long days in this sector of the Valais.

Access is not interpreted as a simple valley bottom walk: the altitude, the accumulated gap and the continuity of the mountain terrain mark the character of the approach. In the area there are tours such as Baltschieder - Ze Steinu or the link Ze Steinu - Baltschiederklause SAC , in addition to trails of the environment such as Lötschberger Südrampe or Suonenweg NIWA , which help place the shelter within a wider network of itineraries. It is also under the influence of major industry summits, with the Bietschhorn as a great reference of the horizon, which reinforces its character as a mountain shelter in a serious and very vertical corral.

In the logistics part, immediate resources should not be available without prior verification. The nearest source is just over 1.2 km, a distance sufficient not to make the water by the shelter, especially if it is late or with changing weather. In this type of location, the autonomy weighs: water secured from the start or planned on the road, clothing for sudden changes of time and sufficient margin for a demanding approach. More than a comfortable step point, Wiwannihütte It works as a support in high mountain where prior preparation greatly conditions the actual use of the shelter.