Arbenbiwak

The Arbenbiwak is an unattended SAC bivouac at 3224 m on the south side of the Ober Gabelhorn in the municipality of Zermatt in the canton of Valais. It belongs to the Zermatt section and offers 15 sleeping places, a simple, fully equipped kitchen with a gas stove and solar-powered lighting; there is a well in front of the hut, whose water must be boiled before drinking. The bivouac serves as a starting point for high-altitude tours such as the Arbengrat on the Ober Gabelhorn, other ascents in the Arbenkessel and tours to peaks such as the Aebihorn and Pointe de Zinal, with impressive views of the Zmutt Glacier and the north face of the Matterhorn. Access is from Zermatt via Zmutt, Chalbermatten, the Arbenbach, the Arbengandegga and the Arben glacier in around 5-6 hours and over 1600 vertical meters, alternatively from the Schwarzsee mountain station in around 4-5 hours. The approach runs over moraines, firn fields and a rocky ascent secured with chains and footholds and is only intended for well-equipped mountaineers; in winter there is a risk of avalanches. The bivouac is usually used for mountaineering between July and September, but remains open all year round as a simple shelter. It was donated to the SAC Zermatt section by the Royal Dutch Alpine Club KNAV in 1977 on the occasion of its 75th anniversary and has retained the simple character of a classic high mountain bivouac ever since.