Welcome to the Swiss Mountaineering School grindelwaldSPORTS.
Aletschhorn 4193m
The programme:
Day 1: hut approach to the Oberaletsch hut 2640m From our meeting point in Blatten near Naters we continue by cable car to Belalp. From here the ascent to the Oberaletsch hut is an adventurous one: we approach the glacier along an exposed trail carrying our skis. We follow the glacial moraine and finally reach the Oberaletsch Glacier. After a final steep ascent we eventually reach the hut.
Day 3: Summit ski tour to the Aletschhorn 4193m We start out very early and climb up the Oberaletsch Glacier. As the sun rises we find ourselves steeply switchbacking up towards the south west reidge between a maze of crevasses and jagged seracs. We continue on up with crampons and finally reach the second highest peak in the Bernese Alps. A spectacular descent re tracing our steps to the hut lies ahead.
Day 4: Crossing Beichpass 3128m into Lötschental An ascent up the Beich Glacier takes us to the pass that gives the glacier its name. After a short descent on foot followed by a long ski down, we arrive in Blatten in Lötschental.
What you need to know…
Meeting point: 8:45 am at the cable car station Belalp in Blatten/Naters.
Your journey: If arriving by car, park the car in Visp or Brig and catch the train from there. If arriving by train, get a ticket to Blatten bei Naters and return from Blatten in Lötschental.
Requirements: Day 1 Day 2 850m elevation gain 1700m elevation gain 300m elevation loss 1700m elevation loss 9 kilometre 11 kilometre Walking time: around 4-5 hours Walking time: around 6-7 hours
Day 3 750m elevation gain 1850m elevation loss 13 kilometre Walking time: around 5 hours
Ability level: medium
Equipment: See equipment list in the appendix. In our Outdoorshop, we sell technical equipment, mountaineering clothing, shoes and backpacks. You can also rent the technical equipment, just let us know.
Decision: 1-2 days before the tour, we check different weather forecasts and the conditions to decide whether we can start the tour. The day before the tour, we call you to let you know the last information.
Hut : Please be aware that we stay at a mountain hut. Depending on the season, there might not be any tap water. Also, in most huts you will not be able to charge any devices. Please let us know if you are a vegetarian or have other food allergies to make sure we can inform the hut.
Last information: The day before the tour, we call you to let you know the name of the mountain guide as well as his/her mobile phone number. Please only use it in emergencies, for example if you missed the train. For all other questions, please contact our office in Grindelwald: +41 (0)33 854 12 80 or [email protected]
Price per person: CHF 2325.00 1 participant per mountain guide CHF 1’285.00 2 participants per mountain guide
What you benefit from:
Inclusive: Guiding by a licenced mountain guide His/her expenses 2 nights in bunk room with half-board Tea for the next day
Not inclusive: Your expenses Snacks Rental equipment Possible expenses for a taxi (costs of the guide have to be paid by the guest)
Safety: All our courses are conducted by licenced IFMGA mountain guides. For a continuous high standard, regular training and further education are compulsory. This way we can guarantee the best possible security measures. grindelwaldSPORTS has been certified over the last couple of years with the „Safety Label in Adventures“. Our security and emergency concepts are annually examined by this organization.
General terms of contract: Please read the general terms of contract.
We help you to prepare:
Clothing: Choose functional clothing that is water resistant, comfortable and breathable. We suggest the several layer principle for best adaption in fluctuating temperatures. Our experts in the Outdoorshop are happy to help.
Footwear: In the equipment list in the appendix, you see what kind of footwear you need for this tour. If you have bought new boots, we suggest you try them out on an easy hike before undertaking a tour.
Lunch: A little lunch per day should be enough – some bars, a sandwich, dried fruit, nuts, … We recommend to drink a lot the evening before and in the morning. It helps to handle the altitude.
Packing a backpack: Do not pack too much. In the equipment list in the appendix you see the size of backpack we recommend. Do not forget, you need to carry everything by yourself.
Any questions: That is what we are here for. Do not hesitate to contact us, either by phone on +41 (0)33 854 12 80, by e-mail ([email protected]) or on spot at our Outdoorshop at Dorfstrasse 103 in Grindelwald.
The necessary equipment for this tour is marked with a .
Equipment list
Listed below is the equipment we suggest bringing. Use it as a checklist to make sure you do not forget anything. Of course, you can always add to the list but remember everything you pack must also be carried ;-)
Backpack Backpack 20-25l Backpack 30-35l Backpack 25-30l Backpack 35+l
Clothing Warm, functional clothing Sun hat Windbreaker or GTX-jacket Gloves (ideal 1 thin pair 1 thick pair) Light windbreaker pants or GTX-pants Beanie or headband Mountaineering or hiking pants Extra underwear and extra socks Ski pants Thermo underwear short/long
Footwear Crampon proof mountaineering boots Hiking boots Ski touring boots/snowboard boots Solid and warm winter boots
The basics Sun glasses (category 3 or 4) Sunscreen lotion and lipstick (min. factor 30, better 50) Thermos flask, drinking bottle SAC/DAV permit (if holder) Silk sleeping bag Halbtaxabo/GA (if holder) Headlamp Maybe earplugs Toiletries Maybe camera and binoculars Identity card
Technical equipment Harness Ski touring skis with skins and tele crampons Crampons with anti-snow plates Ski poles, even better adjustable poles Ice axe Robust snow shoes with tele crampons Helmet LVS (avalanche beacon device) Descender with locking carabiner Avalanche probe Sling 120cm 1 piece Avalanche shovel Ice axe for steep ice fall climbing maybe avalanche airbag Ice screw maybe ski helmet locking carabiner 1 piece Crampon rental: Please contact us if you have shoe size 45 or more.