8.30 a.m., Schwägalp
Ridge climbing in alpine terrain | Säntis rock-climbing course with practical outings
Experience exposed rocky ridges and learn how to scramble safely – your gateway to alpine terrain.
Technics
Endurance
Säntis, Appenzell
High-altitude and alpine mountain tours often take you along rocky ridges – airy, exposed and full of adventure. The climbing is usually straightforward, but the demands on sure-footedness, situational awareness and efficient rope techniques are high. This is exactly where our course comes in. Together, we’ll work through the basics of moving safely along a ridge. You’ll learn how to secure yourself and move efficiently on the rock – from micro-pitch climbing and shortening the rope to abseiling. Whether as a refresher or an introduction: the course is designed to be practical. On the first day, we practise the most important techniques on easy terrain. Over the following two days, we apply what we’ve learnt directly on two varied ridge routes. This allows you to consolidate your knowledge, gain experience and discover just how enjoyable scrambling in exposed terrain can be.
Procedure and meeting place
We meet at the valley station of the Säntis suspension railway on Schwägalp. We get to know each other and do a quick equipment check. As the Säntis suspension railway will be closed for maintenance in summer 2026, we will first climb up to the Tierwis hut on foot (approx. 1.5 - 2 hours).
Once we arrive at the Tierwis hut, we freshen up and start the course. We explain the exact procedure and go into the course content. On the first day, we will learn a lot of new things and take time to deliberately repeat the topics several times in order to build confidence.
Daily destinationYou have learnt the basics of climbing on alpine ridges and gained your first experience of using a short rope.
Course content:
Rock training
- The most important knots
- Roping techniques and belaying
- Rope shortening
- Short rope
Theory Meteo (evening)
- Which apps and tools do we use
We apply what we have learnt and add new things, always with a practical focus, to strengthen the learning process.
Daily destination: You’ll gain further experience in the various areas and become more confident on alpine ridges.
Course content:
Repeat what you have learnt
- Rock training
- Material and equipment
Short rope in the application
- Level 1 - Walking together on the short rope
- Stage 2 - Over short difficult sections
- Level 3 - Micro rope lengths
- Level 4 - Climbing together on a stretched rope
- Level 5 - Secure entire rope lengths
Stands
- Single fixed point - serrated sling
- Two bolts
- Extended stand
Abseiling
- Abseiling
Tour planning
-
- 3×3 tour planning
- Avalanche bulletin
- Avalanche awareness
- Meteo
- Risk check
After an intensive day of training and application, we take a break and enjoy a get-together before dinner. We use the time after dinner to immerse ourselves once again in tour planning and to explore different methods of risk management in greater depth. We plan the tour for the next day together.
During an application tour, we repeat what we learnt the day before and learn new things.
Daily destination: You can apply and consolidate what you have learnt and gain more confidence.
Course content:
Repeat what you have learnt
- Short rope
- Stands
- Abseiling
Application tour
- Individual feedback
- Discussion of decision points
Reflection
- Expectations and feedback
- Where do we stand - what is still missing?
We finish the course and set off together on the descent from the hut. On the way, we can reflect on all the experiences we’ve had and really enjoy the alpine landscape once more.
Requirements
- Condition for short climbing tours with a comfortable ascent and descent.
- Experience in pathless terrain up to T5
- Indoor/outdoor climbing course highly recommended as a basis
- Knowledge of safety techniques
- 2nd - 3rd degree climbing sections with mountain boots
Price and services
- CHF 890.-
- Small group with 4 - 6 guests per mountain guide.
- Including planning and realisation with mountain guide and his travel expenses.
- Including accommodation costs with half board.
- Travel costs not included, any train tickets, and personal expenses.
Material and equipment
- For this tour you need the material from this PDF.
Bergschaft tours and courses are conducted in German as standard. However, our mountain guides speak good English, as do many of the participants. If you speak English, you are of course very welcome. Depending on the tour, it may be worth asking us in advance whether the guide and the group are comfortable speaking English.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, preferably via the Contact form.
That's what our guests say:
Highlights: Säntis Ridge Climbing Course
How to come ridge climbing with us:
We currently have no public dates advertised. You are welcome to Contact us with your preferred date and we'll take a look together! You can also always book this tour as a Private Tour book.
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