4,000 meters trekking summits in the Monte- Rosa group.

A one week trekking and climbing on the glaciated plateau of the Group; an activity planed for people with hill walking/trekking experience- no previous mountaineering knowledge is required. About the activity

During one week, we will guide you on the glaciated plateau of the Monte Rosa Group, on the border between and . The high summits- in the region- are especially accessible due to the high elevation of the huts and the flat, long glaciers. The climbing is straight forward and for the most part, not technically demanding- so also people that are making their first steps in alpinism can enjoy it. A 3 days Montblanc ascent is offered for those of you who would like to make use of the knowledge and the acclimatization acquired during the week.

Required fitness level & difficulty:

A physically demanding activity- a good/very good level of physical fitness is required (B/C) as we will be climbing some days up to 1300 meters with 10-kg (about 20 Lbs) rucksacks; no previous experience in snow/ice or rock is required; a previous experience in trekking or hill walking and scrambling is an advantage. More about Mountains fitness and technical level definitions here.

The activity includes:

• Snow and ice gear intro • How to deal with ropes, harnesses, crampons and ice axes • The right technique to walk in snow and ice • Self-arrest techniques • Basic experience in climbing short sections of moderately steep ice • Glacier travel

Timetable

* The mentioned timetable is exemplary and may vary due to conditions, ability of the participants, safety & weather limitations.

Day 1- we will meet at 17:00 in Argentiere- at hotel Les Randonneurs for an opening briefing and a gear check.

Hotel Les Randonneurs

Addressee: 39, Route du Plangolet, Argentiere, 74400 Chamonix Montblanc, France

Website: http://www.lesrandonneurs.fr/

Day 2- Today we will travel to Valsavarenche in the Italian , after the obligatory Italian coffee in Villanueva we will walk together to the Chabod hut (A private hut at 2700 meters) to start our acclimatization process. After settling- in, we will learn how to put on our harnesses and crampons and will do a short round on the rocks around the hut with our mountaineering boots, gaining confidence.

(1000 meters elevation gain to the hut, about 3-4 hours walking)

Day 3- After Breakfast we will pack our bags with our snow and ice gear and head up to the Montadayne glacier. There we will practice walking on snow and ice and the correct usage of ice exe and crampons. Before descending back to the hut, we will learn how to arrest a fall on a snowy slope. It is an essential day that serves our acclimatization efforts (450 meters elevation gain, about 3-4 hours walk)

Day 4- An early start and off we go to climb our first alpine summit- The Gran Paradisso- the only “completely Italian” 4000er- learning by doing we will find the right way to use our energy- efficient glacier travel speed on the way to one of the Alp’s most beautiful summits. After a break in the hut we will descent down to the valley and drive via Aosta to the picturesque Gressoney valley (1,100 m elevation ascent and descent, about 10 hours walking round trip).

Day 5- Via Gressoney lift systems we will climb to the Gnifetty hut at 3650 m, after a short break in the hut we can head up to climb the Vincent Pyramid at 4,215 m (1,000 meters elevation gain, about 4.5 hours ascent)

Day 6- We will cross today the Monte Rosa Plateau in a long glacier walk which leads us to the highest hut in the Alps- Capanna Marghaeritta- the hut is located exactly on the summit of the Signalkuppe at 4,554 m; after descending from the hut, a short glacier traverse towards the Grenz glacier takes us to the Zumsteispitze at 4,563m- two major summits in one day! (1,100 meters elevation, about 5 hour’s ascent)

Day 7- We will check out from the hut after breakfast and as we descent back down to Gressoney- we can see the Punta Giordanni looming above us at 4046 m. a 4 hour “detour” brings us to the top of the last summit planed for the week! (550 meters elevation gain, about 3 hours ascent) Descending back to the valley we will drive back to Chamonix where the activity draws to an end

For the “Monte Rosa” participants we offer a short version of a 3 day Montblanc program*: Day 8- ascent to the Tete Rousse hut. Day 9- Summit of Montblanc (4,809 m) and an overnight in the Gouter hut. Day 10- descent to the valley.

* Depending on the guides and huts availability

** Full booking is required at least 30 days before the activity

Dates:

Please refer to the site

Price

1,220 Euros Per Person

The price includes:

• 7 days of activity- 6 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 min 1:3- max 1:4 ratio

Price does not include: flights and insurances, cable cars (once or twice through the week, up to 60 € per day), mountaineering boots (rental), overnights in a mountain hut (1/2 pension estimated 50-70 € per night, first night in the valley estimated up to 70 €), food and beverages, insurances; estimated total expenses- 1,700 € pp

Additional cost required for a Montblanc ascent: 675-euro pp*.

* with the same conditions as the "Monte Rosa" ** with minimum 2 participants Gear

Personal gear list:

• Mountaineering boots with crampons compatible soles (Possible to rent in Chamonix). • Light approach shoes • Climbing pants • Mountaineering or ski pants and jacket (water proof) • Fleece jacket • 2 X thermal first layer shirt • 1 X thermal long underwear • 2 X thermal warm socks

• 1 X waterproof gloves (with fingers separation) • 1 X thin gloves • 1 X warm hat • 1 X sun hat • Sun glasses • Sunscreen and lip balm with a minimum of 40 UV protection • A lining sleeping bag for the hut • A small bathing kit and a small towel (there are showers in the hut!) • Medications (if needed) • 1.5 L minimum thermos or nelogen drinking bottle • Headlamp • Wallet • Walking poles • Down /Prima loft jacket (optional) • Bathing kit and a small towel • An alpine club membership (optional- we recommend a membership in the Austrian Alpine Club) http://aacuk.org.uk/ More about Mountains gear list