The combination of altitude, glaciers, ice slopes, snow fields and airy ridges together with unpredictable weather all add up to a unique alpine mountaineering challenge. The Eiger with its brooding North Face; the Matterhorn - the unmistakable, almost perfect mountain shape - and finally Mont Blanc, the highest point in Western Europe. These are very challenging alpine climbs and suitable for experienced mountaineers only, confident moving unroped on snow slopes up to 50° and well versed in crevasse rescue. You must be in excellent physical condition, able to cope with full days out on the hill carrying a 10-15kg pack. Previous experience of glacier travel and the use of crampons and ice axe is essential. We will send you our recommended training schedule which should help you with your preparation and training for this trip. Extreme altitude, weather and other hazards can make high-altitude climbing risky. If you are uncertain about your ability to cope with these extremes, seek our advice before booking. These are very demanding trips requiring you to be in excellent shape. Long continuous days out maybe for up to two weeks with 6-8 hours hard mountain travel. On treks and expeditions you will probably be camping and may have to cope with carrying your own gear and equipment.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Travel to St Gervais. Meet up with your guide in the evening for a briefing to go over equipment and discuss the itinerary and logistics. Stay overnight in a hotel in St Gervais.
Day 2: We stay close to St Gervais for the first of 2 'warm up' days. Numerous options exist including the ascent of Mont Tondu (3100m), a perfect introductory peak with sections of crampon walking on the Tre Le Tete glacier and ridge scrambling to the summit. You descend and climb to the Conscrits refuge where you stay overnight.
Day 3: Another early start for one of the classic summits of the range, the Domes des Miages (3660m). This is a magnificent day, long and tiring. We return to St Gervais and stay in your hotel.
Day 4: Drive to Grindelwald in Switzerland and in the afternoon ascend using the Jungfraujoch Railway - a stunning feat of Swiss engineering - and a traverse of the upper reaches of the Fiescher Glacier to the Mittelegi hut, where you stay the night.
Day 5: Eiger Summit ascent via the spectacular Mittellegi Ridge. Return to Grindelwald. Stay overnight in hotel.
Day 6: Rest Day. In the afternoon drive to Zermatt.
Day 7: Morning at leisure before ascending in the afternoon to the Hornli hut, where you stay the night.
Day 8: Matterhorn summit ascent/descent via the Hornli Ridge. Return to Zermatt. Stay overnight in hotel.
Day 9: Rest Day. Drive back to St Gervais. Stay overnight in hotel.
Day 10: After a relaxing morning preparing kit and making last minute purchases, take the Bellevue cable car to the Col du Voza and the rack and pinion railway to the Nid d'Aigle. From there you reach the Tete Rousse hut in 2 hours of easy walking. Stay overnight in the hut.
Day 11: From a 4.00 a.m. start, the attempt on the summit via the Gouter refuge and the Bosses ridge. You should reach the summit in 7-10 hours. Descend the same route all the way back to the Tete Rousse hut. If time and weather allows it is possible to continue back down to the valley.
Day 12: Contingency day. Can be used for a final classic day tour if time allows.
Day 13: Depart for home.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included:
- All guiding fees & expenses;
- All accommodations, B&B in hotels (twin room) and HB in mountain huts, all local transfers.
Not Included:
- Evening meals in the valley, lunches, beverages;
- Personal insurance, uplift costs, equipment hire;
- Travel to and from St Gervais.
- Single-room occupancy in valley hotels may be subject to an additional cost.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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