Your Adventure
John’s Chamonix Classics
Monte Rosa lies on the border between Switzerland and Italy and is one of the best kept secrets in the Alps. The highest peak of the range is the Dufourspitze (4634 m) which is the highlight of four peaks you climb on this stunning mountain adventure. Speak to any mountaineer whose taken this trip and they'll tell you how truly special it is.
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Duration
1 week
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Start Location
Zermatt, Switzerland
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Date(s)
June - September
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Price
€2850
Adventure Snapshot
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CLIMB THE HIGHEST PEAK IN SWITZERLAND
Nestled within the Monte Rosa massif are 17 recognised peaks with 12 that are over 4000m, the highest being the Dufourspitze (4634m). Over the course of 6 days you will climb some great peaks such as the Breithorn (4164m), Riffelhorn (2928m) and Castor (4428m) to help with acclimatising and training for the Dufourspitze. Yep... you can tick off a ton of peaks in this one adventure.
Nestled along the boarders of Switzerland and Italy you'll notice the culture changes from one country to the next. The trip has been built so you get as much mountain time as possible while staying in some memorable accommodation. The experience in each mountain hut and valley lodge is so unique it really ads to the flavour of this trip.
Get in to the high mountains for the first time, learn new alpine skills and climb some epic peaks in a stunningly beautiful location. What’s not to like?
YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE
WHO IS THIS FOR?
This climb is a great challenge for anyone with a good level of endurance fitness and a sense of adventure. Previous mountaineering experience is essential and you need to have previous experience with crampons, ice axe and glacier travel. This is a great progression course following Mont Blanc.
Dufourspitze is the second highest peak in Western Europe and therefore the altitude makes it hard work. It is only 176 metres lower than Mont Blanc. Determination is needed to keep going to the top. We acclimatise and train properly during the first 3 days of this course to enable you with a good chance of reaching the summit and not suffering from altitude sickness.
Not sure whether you're ready? No sweat! Drop us a note and we'll be happy to talk it through with you.
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Duration
1 week
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Start Location
Zermatt, Switzerland
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Date(s)
June - September
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Guide Ratio
2:1
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Ability
Level BLevel B
You have some previous experience in the outdoors, whether that’s hiking, skiing or climbing. You will either be starting to venture into more technical terrain or slightly more 'aggressive' environments. Let's dial it up!
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Price
€2850
Adventure Overview
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR THIS CLIMB
Certain items can be rented from Adventure Base such as crampons, ice axe, helmet and harness. You are able to add these to your cart at checkout. We use the latest kit from Black Diamond meaning you'll be using quality equipment and our rental options are much cheaper than if you were to rent it from a local shop when you get here. Win! (Note: Your kit might vary sightly from the images below)
Please note this is a guide and you may be required to rent or purchase last minute equipment on arrival dependent on the weather and changes in itinerary.
Rent locally
Ice axe
Straight shaft for general mountaineering
Rent locally
Crampons
12 point steel mountaineering crampons
Can be rented
Helmet
Standard hard plastic climbing specific helmet.
Rent locally
Harness
Standard climbing harness
Rent locally
Trekking Poles
Foldable or telescopic poles are best
"It is quite possibly the best most rewarding week I’ve ever had pursuing my passions."
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FINER DETAILS
YOUR ADVENTURE PACKAGE
On arrival day you meet with your guides and fellow climbers at the accommodation for a welcome briefing in the evening. Here you will have an opportunity to ask any last minute questions as well as share your pre-trip excitement with your group.
What's Included?
- Climb Monte Rosa (4634m) as well as some other 4000m peaks
- All accommodation and guiding during the trip
- 3 nights accommodation in mountain huts with half-board included
- 4 nights accommodation in Zermatt on a twin share basis
- Hand-picked Adventure Base mountain guides
- All of your guide’s expenses
What's not Included?
- Transport to/from Zermatt
- Equipment rental
- Travel insurance
- Lunch when in the huts
- Evening meals when in Zermatt
- Uplifts according to itinerary
This trip is running on the following dates
OUR ZERMATT ACCOMMODATION
When not climbing the mountain we know the importance of having a comfortable base. That's why we've chosen this mountain lodge with it's super comfortable rooms and warm atmosphere. The perfect spot to rest up in-between your stays in the mountain huts. But don't let that nice linen and chocolate on the bed win your favour just yet. Wait until you've experienced a good old mountain hut with its basic, but charming amenities and friendly hosts. We bet you go home missing the huts more!
Valley Accommodation
We stay in a beautiful 4 star hotel with Matterhorn views and a relaxing spa. We use this as a base to rest and relax in-between your stays in the mountain huts. Rooms are all en suite and on a twin share basis with others on your trip. Single rooms are available for a supplement. Breakfast is included and always plentiful.
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Duration
3 nights
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Internet
Wifi included
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Beds
Single and double available
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Food
Breakfast included
Ayas hut and Mote Rosa huts
When climbing the mountain, on some of those bigger days, you will stay in the Ayas hut and Mote Rosa huts.
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Internet
Not included
WHAT TO EXPECT
HERE'S YOUR ITINERARY
On arrival day you meet your guides and fellow climbers at the accommodation for a welcome briefing in the evening. We'll also cover your equipment and the current weather and mountain conditions.
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Arrival Day
We meet in the evening at the accommodation to go through the plan for the week as well as the current weather and mountain conditions. You will meet with your fellow climbers and your guides so you can ask any questions and will have a chance to go through your kit.
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Training and acclimatisation
First training and acclimatisation day. We take the Gornegrat railway from Zermatt and head towards our first peak, Riffelhorn (2928m). We climb the east ridge whilst practicing rope skills, climbing and scrambling techniques. This is a great preparation for some of the technical sections on the Dufourspitze later in the week. We return to our hotel in Zermatt for the night.
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Climb Breithorn (4164m)
Today we make our way up to the Breithorn (4164m) our first 4000m peak of the week. This is great for further acclimatisation and we continue to progress our mountaineering skills. After reaching the summit we descend to the Ayas Hut and spend our first night in the mountains at an altitude of 3400m.
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Climb Castor (4228m) and Pollux (4092m)
Waking up early we set off from the Ayas Hut and aim to climb Castor (4228m) and if we have time we will also climb Pollux (4092m) before descending down to Zermatt for a welcome night back in the hotel.
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Time for the main objective
Time to set off for the main objective of this course: The Dufourspitze (4634m). We leave our hotel and set off to the Monte Rosa Hut by taking the Gornergrat railway and then hiking for approximately 4 hours. We settle in to the hut and try and get a good night sleep at an altitude of 2795m.
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Summit day
We set off very early from the Monte Rosa Hut and aim to climb the Dufourspitze before returning back to the same hut for the night. It is a long and demanding summit day that will take us up to 10 hours in total from leaving the hut to returning for the night. We spend this night in the hut and reflect on the achievements of the day over a delicious meal.
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Descend back to Zermatt
After a more leisurely breakfast than yesterday, we make our way back down to the Gornergrat railway and descend to our hotel in Zermatt. There is the option to depart this afternoon if needed, otherwise you can enjoy a well deserved afternoon rest before a final meal and celebration together in the evening. Overnight in the hotel is included.
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Departure Day
Departure
Frequently asked questions about this adventure
MEET THE GUIDES
Lars
IFMGA Guide
Lars is a IFMGA Guide originally from Belgium, with over 20 years of experience climbing and splitboarding in the Mont Blanc massif, the Alps and the greater ranges of the world. Having lived in Chamonix for over a decade he has enjoyed the unique and unlimited climbing possibilities in and around the valley. Lars is also one of the most recognised and experienced splitboard guides leading expeditions to Kamchatka, Greenland, Iceland and more.
Miha
IFMGA Guide
Miha is an IFMGA guide from Slovenia based between the beautiful Julian Alps and Chamonix. He has been climbing for over 20 years all over the world, including expeditions to Nepal, Tibet, India, Pakistan, USA, Mexico and Peru. He summited an 8000er on his first expedition to the Himalaya, did a first ascent on the previously unclimbed Lasher peak in the Himalaya and climbed El Capitan and many routes over the Alps.
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READY TO CLIMB MONTE ROSA?
We hope you've found all the information you need above, but if not don't hesitate to get in touch. If you're ready to book, follow the link below.
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