St-Triphon ***

St-Triphon, the old queen crag of Canton Vaud remains a favorite of the young and old, beginners and experts, climbers and spectators. This former rock quarry resembles an ancient arena with little walls. lt is ideal for family outings and sprinkled with easy fun climbs. Unfortunately, excessive traffic on the easy routes has left the holds worn and greasy. In 2009, Francois Nicole shot into the limelight when he sent his long time project “Amazonie” (estimated to be 9a). It stood 8 years (2017) before Nils Favre repeated the line. A new foothold as well as a different solution for the exit moves has made the route somewhat easier. In the last few years, other projects were freed. Upper Wallis climber Patrik Aufdenblatten accomplished the 2019 ascent of “Combinazione” (9a), which combines the hardest cruxes of “Le Sort s’acharne” and “Amazonie”. Dylan Chuat, the “Young Gun” from Lower Wallis added “Un bel ete” (9a) to the fray. Until now, this is the areas hardest route. St-Triphon is easily accessible using public transportation.

6.11.2023
In the extreme WEST volume 1, page 215, the information on route 59 "Pythagore" is mixed up: 6c goes around to the right, 7a goes "tout droit", i.e. straight ahead!

13.9.2025
The Directorate General for the Environment (DGE-Biodiversity and Landscape) is beginning work at the St-Triphon quarry site. This work will start in calendar week 37 and is expected to last two to three weeks. It will still be possible to climb, but there will be some disruption: noise, restricted access, etc. The St-Triphon quarry is home to a dry grassland of national importance, populated by unique flora and fauna adapted to dry conditions. It is believed that since 1900, 95% of these natural environments have disappeared from Switzerland. The aim of these interventions is to reopen areas that have become overgrown over time, to combat invasive neophyte plants, and to protect sensitive areas by closing off certain access points.

However, access to the various cliffs is still possible. The access points that have been retained/closed off were decided in collaboration with the site owner, the Nicole Debarge Foundation.

6.11.2023
Im extrem WEST Band 1, Seite 215 sind bei der Route 59 «Pythagore» die Angaben vertauscht: 6c geht rechts herum, 7a geht «tout droit», also geradeaus!