Vorder Glarnisch

This is one of the classic T4 hikes, good for an introduction to alpinism, and certainly
preferable for a first T4 compared to a grassy one like Wiggis. It is also less tiring and more accessible
than other T4s like Haute Cime.
 

The access point is through Glarus. Then one can:

 

(1) Walk up from 500m.

(2) Take the bus to Klontal (851m)

(3) Drive to a small farm at 1051m.

 

Since we only reached Glarus at 8:45, we took option (3). This gave us

a full 7 hours for the round-trip. The projected time to Vorder

Glarnsih from the farm is 4 hours, but we did it in a bit more than 3,

going quite slowly in the more delicate bits.

 

The beginning of the trail is an ascent of 200-300m through a

forest. We then hit a wide, flat rock trail, secured with a chain

(which is helpful more psychologically than anything else, as the path

is trivial). Later on, one reaches a small cave. A slightly narrower

and steeper path, with a pank-covered gap over a sheer drop, also

secured with a chain, follows.

 

Most of the other delicate parts are easy scrambling or walking

sections, almost always secured with chains. Those that are not

secured are manageable with some care.

 

The last climb is on a modest scree slope (much easier than Haute

Cime, by comparison) before reaching the top. The last 20m of climb

are not on a completely obvious path, but it is definitely possible to

find an easily walkable route to the top.

 

The peak itself is quite wide, with plenty of room to sit for a

snack. We were lucky with the weather, with mixed sun and clouds, and

little wind.