Ehemaliges Mittelaletschbiwak SAC – Former High-Alpine Bivouac & Historical Shelter

The Ehemaliges Mittelaletschbiwak SAC (Former Mittelaletsch Bivouac) is a decommissioned high-alpine bivouac situated above the Mittelaletsch Glacier, in the heart of the Bernese Alps. Historically used by alpinists traversing the Aletsch region, it no longer serves as an active shelter but remains an important historical reference point in Alpine mountaineering and SAC infrastructure.

• Bivouac Overview

  • Location: Aletsch Glacier / Jungfrau–Aletsch region, Canton of Valais / Bernese Alps, Switzerland

  • Altitude: ~3,000 m (approximate)

  • Status: Former / decommissioned SAC bivouac

  • Type: Historical high-alpine shelter

  • Managed by: Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) – no longer operational

• Current Status & Use

  • Not maintained and not officially usable

  • No emergency guarantee

  • Should not be planned as a shelter in route planning

  • Accessed today mainly by experienced alpinists for historical interest or as a waypoint

  Any use is entirely at the user’s own risk.

• Access & Alpine Context

  The bivouac is located in serious glaciated terrain.

  • Typical access: Via routes on or above the Mittelaletsch Glacier

  • Terrain: Glacier travel, moraines, exposed alpine slopes

  • Difficulty: High-alpine / glacial (PD and above)

  • Requirements:

    • Full glacier travel competence

    • Rope techniques

    • Strong navigation skills

  This area is remote, committing, and subject to rapid changes due to glacier retreat.

• Facilities

  As a former bivouac:

  • No guaranteed shelter

  • No heating

  • No water

  • No food

  • No electricity

  The structure, if still present, should be considered unreliable.

• Historical Importance

  The Mittelaletschbiwak played a role in:

  • Early alpine traverses in the Aletsch region

  • Linking routes between the Aletschhorn, Jungfrau sector, and surrounding glaciers

  • Supporting multi-day high-alpine expeditions before modern hut networks expanded

  It reflects an earlier era of minimalist alpine infrastructure.

• Who This Site Is Relevant For

  • Experienced alpinists

  • Alpine historians and documentation projects

  • Serious high-mountain route planners (context only)

  • Not suitable for hikers, ski tourers, or emergency reliance

Why This Site Still Matters

Although no longer usable, the Ehemaliges Mittelaletschbiwak SAC remains a symbol of historic high-alpine travel in the Alps. It highlights how alpine routes were once undertaken with far fewer resources and emphasizes the importance of modern safety standards and up-to-date route planning in glaciated terrain.