Special features & origin of name
The origin of the name Fletschhorn is highly debatable. It is thought that the name comes from "fletschen". This means that from time to time the glacier makes a noisy plunge into the depths.
The Fletschhorn made it into the international press with a strange story. Around 1900, this mountain was one of the four-thousand-metre peaks. Due to erosion, melting ice caps and more accurate measuring methods, a loss of height was noted. From the 1950s, the Fletschhorn lost its status as a four-thousand-metre peak. In 1988, the municipality of Saas-Grund set itself the goal of restoring the mountain to its original height. They wanted to do this by building a dry stone wall using the rock material that was lying around. Few people were enthusiastic about the idea, and in October 1990 the building application was rejected by the canton of Valais.
Today, the Fletschhorn is 3,986 metres above sea level, just 14 metres short of the four-thousand-metre mark. This story is remembered with an international media echo. At the time, daily newspapers from all over the world reported on the Saas-Grund community's Fletschhorn project.
Mountain and SAC huts nearby
The Weissmieshütte of the SAC (2,726 m asl) on the west side of the Lagginhorn - with an incomparable view of the 18 four-thousand-metre peaks in the Saas-Fee/Saastal holiday region - is a popular starting point for a variety of tours on rock and ice. The successful interior design creates a cosy atmosphere, and groups or clubs will find a homely hall. Comfortable mattress dormitories ensure a good night's sleep, while the smaller dormitories are ideal for families.
The hut is the starting point for the Weissmies and Lagginhorn, the Fletschhorn, which is almost 4000m high, the climbing routes in the Jegihorn south face, the highest via ferrata in the Alps, the Gsponer Höhenweg and numerous ski and snowboard tours.
The Fletschhorn hut is an open, unguarded private hut at 3041m on the eastern foothills of the Mattwaldhorn between Sengchuppa and Simplon, with beautiful views of the Mischabel chain.
The hut has only 6-8 beds. Reservations are essential.
The Almagellerhütte is situated on the south side of the Weissmies and is the starting point for high mountain, climbing and hiking tours, as well as an excursion destination for day visitors. Rugged cliffs, rushing streams, blue skies, clear views of the Saas peaks, fresh air and a healthy climate create the perfect setting for your stay.
Gruben glacier
The Gruben glacier, also known as the Grüebu glacier, lies to the west of the summit. There are several glacier lakes on the tongue of the glacier, which can be reached from Saas-Balen. In the hot summer of 2003, the upper Grubengletscher lake made the headlines. That year, the glaciers melted considerably and the sudden influx of water threatened to burst the lake.