Our week-long itinerary provides sufficient acclimatization and preparation time to make the Monte Rosa a realistic and achievable objective for fit, adventurous UK hill-walkers looking for a new challenge. The highest peak on the mountain is the Dufourspitze, which is named in honor of Henri Dufour an army general and co-founder of the Red Cross. It is a long and challenging climb over 3 days that is normally approached via the Monte Rosa hut and the rocky West Ridge. The summit day is a 7 hour climb across snow and ice slopes of up to 40 degrees and with an elevation gain of almost 1900m. The Monte Rosa is a long but moderately straightforward ascent with some exposed sections, a short grade 3 rock climb and ice-slopes up to 40 degrees. You will need to climb with ice-axe and crampons but previous experience of alpine climbing and mountaineering is not required and you will be taught the technical skills for walking and travelling on snow and ice during the week. The route crosses glaciated terrain and you will be roped up for added security. The summit day from the Monte Rosa hut is a demanding 7 hour day with an elevation gain of almost 1900 meters. If you walk regularly in the UK and have a good level of aerobic conditioning you should have no problem undertaking alpine trips at this stamina level. For alpine walking & climbing, aerobic fitness and leg strength are the key. So when preparing for this trip nothing beats activities that increase your heart rate and build your aerobic levels e.g. running, cycling and swimming. Movement skills - agility, balance, flexibility - which allow you to walk easily over rough ground to make your way safely up a snow slope - are also very relevant. If time permits try to include some yoga or pilates into your training schedule.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Meet up with your guides in Zermatt in the evening for an initial briefing and equipment check. Stay overnight in hotel.
Day 2: Set off on a 3-day acclimatization and climbing preparation trip with two nights in huts. You will start by taking the aerial tramway to the Klein Matterhorn and traverse the Verra glacier to climb Pollux (4092 m) via its Southwest Ridge before continuing on to the Guide d'Ayas Hut for the night (3420m). Pollux is a fun climb, first on rock, then finishing with a fine snow arête. Total walking time is about 4-6 hours.
Day 3: Climb Castor (4223m) via its glaciated west side and return for a second night in the Guide d'Ayas Hut. Total walking time about 5-6 hours.
Day 4: Return to Zermatt via the Kleine Matterhorn lift bagging a traverse of the Breithorn (4164m) en-route. Overnight in Hotel. Total walking time about 5 hours.
Day 5: From Zermatt take the Gornergrat train to Riffelberg and 3-hour walk to the Monte Rosa hut crossing the Grenz glacier.
Day 6: Summit Day: an early alpine start (about 2am) from the Monte Rosa hut for the 5-7 hour ascent to the summit of the Dufourspitz. The reward is a spectacular panoramic view of the Italian Alps and Mont Blanc Massif. Return to the Monte Rosa hut for a 2nd night.
Day 7: Return to Zermatt and stay overnight in Hotel.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
- All guiding fees & expenses;
- 4 nights half-board in mountain huts (dormitory) and 3 nights B&B in hotel (twin room).
Not Included:
- Flights, airport transfers, personal insurance;
- Equipment hire, lunches, drinks and local transfers.
- Single room occupancy (in hotel) may incur an additional charge.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Switzerland
Mountain/Rock Climbing
Ice Climbing
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