Technical Summits/ Matterhorn preparation
- A challenging week in the west alps!
- The perfect preparation for a Matterhorn ascent!
- 4 full guiding days, by a qualified IFMGA guide/aspirant
- Guiding ratio max 2:1
About the activity
A challenging activity for experienced and fit participants; our technical summits week will be planed relatively short term based on the weather patterns and conditions for the season. In the activity we will attempt summits and routes up to AD/AD+ difficulty level.
The activity includes:
- snow and ice gear usage
- movement on snow and ice
- climbing sections of steep ice, up to 50 degrees
- climbing sections of moderately steep rock up to III/IV level
- glacier travel
- after the activity a Matterhorn 4,477 m ascent will be possible*, depending on weather, conditions and the participant's ability.
Timetable:
Day 1- Meeting at 17:00 in Saas Grund- for a briefing and a gear check.
Day 2- a short route from the valley up, to acclimatize and move together on combined terrain. We will spend another night in the valley or already stay in a hut.
Day 3- Day 5- days dedicated to climb- high and technical- summits for training and acclimatisation.
Optional technical routes (not the "normal way") on high summits are:
Jägihorn SW ridge- 3,200 m
Dri Horlini traverse- 3,209 m
Portjen ridge traverse- 3,654 m
Lagginhorn S Ridge- 4,010 m
Weissmies Red arete - 4,017 m
Alphubel W ridge (Rotgrat)/Mittelallalin - 4,206 m
Breithorn traverse- 4,164 m
Day 5- last summit for the activity and and descent to the valley.
For the Matterhorn ascent**:
Day 7- ascent to the Hornli hut 3260 m.
Day 8- Ascent via the Hornli ridge on the Matterhorn 4,477 m and a descent back to the valley.
* The mentioned timetable is exemplary and may vary due to conditions, ability of the participants, safety & weather limitations.
** a Matterhorn ascent is not guaranteed after this week and is dependent on the weather, conditions, the participant’s performance, hut and guide’s availability. If you would like to assure a booking in the hut, please let us know at least 30 days before the activity starts- the hut reservation fees are non-refundable, the guiding fees in case of cancellation due to weather/ conditions on the mountain are partially refundable.
Fitness Level & difficulty
- A very physically demanding activity- a very good level of physical fitness is required- (C/D) as we will be climbing some days more than 1,000 meters with 10-kg (about 20 Lbs) rucksacks.
- The participants are required to be absolutely sure footed and have extensive experience in snow, rock and ice, be it through past guided activities or courses (2-3).
- For participants that don't fall under the above mentioned requirements, we recommend to take part in our Alpine Semester or Swiss Classics weeks, for training and reality check.
- Since we try to maximize the efficiency and may head straight to a very high summit- we recommend the participants to acclimatize on their own before starting the week with us and spend a day and a night above 2500 m. Optional huts are the Weissmies hut at 2,726 m (Recommended in a combination with another higher hut on the second night), the Hohsaas restaurant at 3,100 m, the Britannia hut at 3,030 m, The Hörnli hut at 3,260 m. All mentioned huts can be reached alone without technical difficulties.
Price and details
Price:
1,750 € Per Person*
The price includes:
- 4 days in the mountains*.
- Planning and guiding by an IFMGA/UIAGM qualified guide/Aspirant.
- Transportation throughout the activity
- Guides expenses
- Climbing gear (ice exes, ropes, harnesses, helmets etc.)
- * Guiding in a in a max/ minimum 1:2 ratio
* for additional cost the activity can be extended and include more days.
Price does not include:
- A Matterhorn ascent is not included in the price- please see below.
- Flights and insurances.
- Cable cars (at least twice through the week, up to 60 € per day)
- Mountaineering boots (rental)
- Overnights in a mountain hut (Half board estimation 80 € a night)
- Hotel in the valley ca. 100 € for 1 person in a double room with half board
A Matterhorn ascent
- For an additional Matterhorn activity in 2 days*, an additional sum of 1,400 Euro will be charged per person only for planning and guiding. The client will be asked to cover all the additional costs (transportation/ parking, hut fees, half board, drinking water, cable cars etc.) for more clarifications please contact us via email at [email protected]
- To decrease pressure, an extra day/reserve day can be booked- the meaning of which that we will be able to prolong the ascent's dead line from 4.5 hours to reach the summit, to 5.5 hours, while spending another night in the hut/start later and avoid the stressful race on the summit day or have an extra day for a second attempt. An additional day will mean an additional 650 €
Dates and Bookings
Technical summits #1: 16.06.2024 - 20.06.2024
Technical summits #2: 14.07.2024 - 18.07.2024
Technical summits #3: 11.08.2024 - 15.08.2024
Technical summits #4: 01.09.2024 - 05.09.2024
Use this link to book the activity