Dent Blanche, Mountain summit in Pennine Alps, Switzerland
Dent Blanche is a summit in the Valais Alps that rises to 4,357 meters with four distinct rock faces. Its ridges align with the cardinal directions, creating a pyramidal form visible from across the region.
The mountain was first summited in 1862 by Thomas Stuart Kennedy and William Wigram, guided by Jean-Baptiste Croz and Johann Kronig. This ascent marked an important moment in early mountaineering history.
The name translates to 'White Tooth' in French, reflecting the linguistic character of the Valais region. Locals recognize it as a natural boundary marker between different valley communities.
Mountaineers typically use the Cabane de Dent Blanche at 3,507 meters or the Schönbielhütte at 2,694 meters as bases for attempts. Route conditions vary significantly with season and weather, so proper planning and preparation are essential.
The summit sits where Val d'Hérens, Val d'Anniviers, and Mattertal meet, making it a natural meeting point of three distinct valleys. This location also coincides with the language boundary between French and German speaking parts of the region.
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