Wasenhorn (Terrarossa)

Description

Wasenhorn, 3246 m (or Punta Terrarossa), is a sharp peak located north-east from the Simplon pass. From the pass it can be reached in 4 hours. The route starts from the Simplon Hospiz (there is a sign for the route and a lot of free parking place around). The route goes towards Monte Leone hut (2848 m) from where one needs about 1.5 hours to the summit. Till the hut it is a pleasant walk at a high altitude and with a nice scenery, that implies crossing several torrents and passing a lake at the altitude of 2756 m below the Chaltwasser glacier.

After the hut one continues towards the east till the ridge (which is also the border between Switzerland and Italy). The last 350 meters to the summit are rather steep, up to 50 degrees, with unstable rock, and patches of snow on this south side even in August. There are no signs, and in the case of snow it is not easy to find the best route in this part although the general direction is obvious: close to the ridge and towards the north. The summit is narrow and elongated, with a wooden pole on the highest spot, and a cross at the other end. Nice views towards the first neighbor Monte Leone in the south direction; Weismiess group in the south west; Bishorn and Weisshorn in the west; Bietschhorn, Aletschhorn and Finsteraarhorn in the north.

Thanks to J. Vranjes for this description.