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- Lyskamm
14,852 ft · Wallis Alps, Italy/Switzerland
Lyskamm
Lyskamm is a 14,852 ft peak in the Wallis Alps, Italy/Switzerland. The standard route is the Liskamm Traverse: 13 mi, 4,600 ft of gain, AD.
Lyskamm at a glance
- Elevation14,852 ft4,526 m
- RouteLiskamm TraverseAD
- Distance13 mi4,600 ft gain
- Time2–3 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul–Sep
- RangeWallis AlpsItaly/Switzerland
Climbing the Liskamm Traverse
From Alagna Valsesia, Italy, ride the lifts to Punta Indren and walk to the Gnifetti Hut (3,611 m). The standard line is the full Liskamm Traverse (AD), which crosses both eastern and western summits in one outing. The connecting ridge is a long corniced knife-edge with huge drops onto the Italian side; the mountain's nickname, the Menschenfresser or man-eater, comes from repeated cornice-collapse fatalities, so gauge conditions carefully and rope short. Both Liskamm summits share this single outing, so log the distance and gain once per trip.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (40–55 L)
Mountaineering Boots
Crampons
Ice Axe
Helmet
Harness
Rope
Carabiners
Belay Device- Prusik Cord
- Ice Screw
Base Layer
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Hardshell Pants
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Glacier Glasses
Sunscreen
Headlamp
GPS Device
Satellite Communicator
Water
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
Heavyweight Gloves
Goggles
Offline Maps
Power Bank
Whistle
Approach Shoes- Slings
- Nut Tool
- Cams / Nuts
What to watch for
- Glacier travel
- Crevasses
- Cornices
- Steep exposure
- Knife-edge ridge
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- High altitude
- Altitude sickness
- Extreme cold
- High winds
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Rapid weather shifts
Quests with Lyskamm
Alpine 4,000ersPeaks near Lyskamm
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Lyskamm?
Lyskamm is 14,852 feet (4,526 m) tall. It is in the Wallis Alps, Italy/Switzerland. It is also known as Lyskamm (Eastern Summit), Eastern Summit, Liskamm.
How does Lyskamm rank among the Alpine 4,000ers?
At 14,852 feet, Lyskamm is the 8th highest of the 82 Alpine 4,000ers. The highest is Mont Blanc.
How hard is it to climb Lyskamm?
The Liskamm Traverse is graded AD on the alpine scale, meaning fairly difficult: sustained snow, ice or rock that needs real climbing skills. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 13 miles with 4,600 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Lyskamm?
Most climbers plan 2–3 days for the Liskamm Traverse, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Lyskamm dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger, crevasses on the glacier and exposed sections where a fall would be serious. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Lyskamm?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the Liskamm Traverse for the snow and ice on the upper mountain, along with mountaineering boots that take crampons. Glacier travel also means a rope, harness and crevasse rescue skills. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.
Do you need to acclimatize to climb Lyskamm?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Lyskamm reaches 14,852 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.
When is the best time to climb Lyskamm?
The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Lyskamm with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list