Christel Howald

Christel Howald-Feederle (born February 4, 1953 in Oberndorf am Neckar ) is a former German - Swiss mountaineer.

biography

Born in Germany, she worked as the software department head of a computer manufacturer in Zurich and was married to the Swiss mountaineer Hans Howald from 1980 to 1982 . With this she was significantly involved in the development of the climbing area "Handeggwand" in the western falls of the Great Gelmerhorn in the Urner Alps and in the development of the climbing area "Sandbalm" on the southeastern foothills of the Gandschijen in the Göschener Valley of the western Uri Alps. She was considered the first woman to achieve the 7th level of difficulty in Switzerlandcould climb. Her first ascent routes in these climbing areas include “Engeliweg”, “Siebenschläfer”, “Boulder Highway”, “Spiegelweg”, “Schiefer Traum”, “Nole me tangere” and “Hänsel & Gretel”.

In 1978 she was the first woman to complete the well-known route “ Pumprisse ” (VII) on the Fleischbank- Südostpfeiler ( Fleischbankpfeiler ), as well as the first ascent of the Salbitschijen -Westgrat (VII +) without technical aids. Her other first ascents include the “Dschingiskan” route on the Gross Bielenhorn south-west face (1980), the “Embryo Transfer ” route on Salbitturm 4 (1980), “Hans im Glück” (VII) on the Chrüzberg- east face (1981) and the "Sandührliweg" (VII) on the Schafberg south face (1981).

Her other ventures included Punta Tissi -Northwest Face (route "Phillip-Flamm"), Cima Scotoni -Southwest Face, Torre Trieste -South Face (Route "Carlesso") and El Capitan -West Face.

On August 26th and 27th, 1981, Christel Howald, Hans Howald and Marcel Rüedi completed the first ascent of the 1,300 m high "northern intersection" (VII-, A2) on the Eiger north face , to the left of the "Geneva pillar", in 18 hours . For the new route to the west ridge you only needed ten bolts and a range of clamping wedges . Just one day after this success, the three-person rope team also climbed the classic “Heckmair route” on the Eiger north face. Howald was only the sixth woman to climb this wall.

Web links

• Personal folder Historical Alpine Archive
• Bergsteiger magazine , January 1982, pages 55-56