Climb 4000 m peaks in The Alps

Climbing in an alpine environment is a fantastic combination of physical challenge and nature experience. It requires skill in navigation, route selection and climbing skills. Alpine climbing involves climbing on rock, snow and ice, sometimes all at the same time.

Approaches and descents often take place on glaciers, this requires knowledge of glaciers. This is the experience for you who want to do as many nice tours as possible on 4000 meter peaks during a week.

 

There is something special about high altitude. 4000 meters is a respectable one. There are 82 peaks over 4000 meters in the Alps. On this trip, we do as many as we can during a week's time. Perfect training for those who are going on a larger expedition such as Elbrus, Aconcagua or Island Peak. We will aim for peaks in the grades PD-AD.

 

The trip is guided 1:4 the first three days and 1:2 the last three days by authorized mountain guides, which means you get a great opportunity for development and personal guidance during the week to develop your climbing.

 

We climb at the end of June when it is prime time for alpine climbing in the Alps.

 

Previous knowledge

You have basic knowledge and experience in alpine climbing such as glacier hiking in ropes, crampon technique and can handle an ice axe. You have, for example, taken our basic course in alpine climbing. You have a green card.

 

Place

We start and finish the trip in Chamonix but climb in different places in the Alps.

 

Program

The program is a sketch and a proposal, the tours are then adapted according to weather, conditions and the group's experience and wishes. The guide will have the final say on the spot. The goal is to climb as many nice tours on 4000 meter peaks as possible during the week.

Day 1, Travel day, arrival in Chamonix

You get to Chamonix on your own during the day and check into a hotel. Here there is time to experience Chamonix, get to know the other participants and fix last minute matters.

 

Day 2

First climbing day.

Collection at 08:00 (unless otherwise notified by the guide). We go through the week's program and check the equipment you have with you to see if anything needs to be supplemented. Everyone gets their climbing equipment and we check that everything fits in size. You then head towards your first 4000 m peak. Allalinhorn can be a good start with its easy access. The night is spent in a mountain hut.

 

Day 3

Stralhorn could be today's target. Or maybe you are in the Monte Rosa area and can tick off 4000 meter peaks on a conveyor belt around the Gnifetti cabin. The night is spent in a mountain cabin.

 

Day 4

Weissmies is another nice 4000 m peak that could be today's challenge. The night is spent in a mountain cabin.

 

Day 5

Next to Weissmies is the more challenging Lagginhorn. Now you start to get warm in your clothes and the degree of difficulty is turned up a bit. We start guiding 1:2 instead of 1:4, which gives greater opportunities for greater challenges. We can climb fairly exposed ridges and steeper glaciers. The night is spent in a hotel.

 

Day 6

We continue to climb fine 4000 meter peaks. Pollux is a really nice peak in the Monte Rosa massif. That could be today's goal. The night is spent in a mountain cabin.

 

Day 7

The Breithorn half traverse is one of the finest tours of its grade in the Alps, a real gem. That could be the end of this experience. In the evening we drive back to Chamonix where the night is spent in a hotel.

 

Day 8

Journey home. Check-out from the hotel at 10:00 a.m. After that, you continue your adventure on your own.

 

Equipment

Loan of necessary climbing equipment is included in the price. The following equipment is assigned to you by your mountain guide at the beginning of the course.

• Alpine ice axe

• Crampons

• Helmet

• Harness

• Screw carabiner

 

Personal equipment

You need to have the following personal equipment with you, this is not included in the course fee.

• Boots to which crampons can be attached (eg Sportiva Nepal Extreme or Trango Extreme Evo). If you are unsure whether your boots are sturdy enough, you can of course ask us before you go. There are boots to rent in Chamonix, the best place to rent is Snell Sport in Chamonix. Price list for rental equipment at Snell Sport can be found here: http://www.cham3s.com/snell-rental-prices.html

• Backpack, 35-45 litres

• Warm hat (which fits under a helmet)

• Underwear, shirt and pants (synthetic or wool, not cotton)

• Thinner fleece sweater

• Thicker fleece sweater or thin down jacket

• Wind and waterproof jacket (preferably shell jacket without lining)

• Wind and waterproof trousers (preferably shell trousers without lining)

• Thick gloves

• Thin mittens, gloves

• Snow locks (gaiters)

• Headlamp

• Sunglasses

• Ski goggles

• Water bottle

• Sun protection

The following are good to have but not a must:

• Poles (telescopes that can be folded and attached to a backpack)

• Sun hat or cap

• Handkerchief (slightly larger can serve as sun protection for the neck/head)

• Camera (compact)