Welcome to the Swiss Mountaineering School grindelwaldSPORTS.

- Verbier

 The programme:

Day 1 Ascent to Schönbiel hut at 2694m Our meeting point is at the train station in Zermatt. We catch the cable car to Schwarzsee. After a short ski descent we put on our skins and hike up to the Schönbiel hut. From it’s sunny terrace we enjoy the view across to the and Dent d’ Hérens.

Day 2 Across the Tête Blache 3724m to Arolla Early in the morning we start to hike up towards the Tête Blanche, passing the steep “Stockij” along the way. The summit is gentle, we find ourselves on a snow dome surrounded by an amphitheatre of impressive peaks. A short reascent leads us to the Col de Bertol, the start of a long descent down to Arolla. We spend the night at this quiet and picturesque mountain village.

Day 3 Pas de Chèvres 2855m After the long previous day, the Pas de Chèvres provides us with an easier and more leisurely touring aim for the day. Admiring the largest dammed lake in we traverse the Cheillon Glacier and finish the day at the Dix hut at 2928m where we spend the night.

Day 4 Via Rosablanche 3336m to Verbier An early morning ski descent leads us down to the Lac de Dix. We contour along the lake until we can start climbing towards Rosablanche. The slopes get steeper the closer we get to the summit. A short ski descent followed by an equally short reascent bring us out on top of the Col de la Chaux right above the slopes of the Verbier ski resort. Eventually we follow well prepared slopes all the way to Verbier.

 What you need to know…

Meeting point: 09:15am at the train station in Zermatt.

Your journey: If you are travelling by car you best park at Brig or and catch the train from there.

Requirements: Day 1 Day 2  550m elevation gain  1300m elevation gain  450m elevation loss  2000m elevation loss  7 kilometres  16 kilometres Walking time: around 3-4 hours Walking time: around 6-7 hours

Day 3 Day 4  1000m/600m elevation gain  1150m elevation gain  100m elevation loss  2550m elevation loss  6/4 kilometres  20 kilometres Walking time: around 3-5 hours Walking time: around 6-7 hours

Ability level: medium

The ski descents are not too difficult, still solid skills skiing off piste with a backpack on are essential. Hiking with a backpack for 6 hours are no problem for you.

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 1’175.00 4-6 participants per mountain guide

 What you benefit from:

Inclusive:  Guiding from a licenced mountain guide  His/her expenses  3 nights at a mountain hut, 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 conact 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 lock carabiner 1 piece