The high summits in the Italian Monte Rosa area, are 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 - a perfect choice if you want to make your first steps in mountaineering.
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:
Day 1: Meeting at 17:00 in Chamonix/Argentiere- the exact hotel’s address will be sent to you before the activity – for a briefing and a gear check.
Day 2: With the Grands Montets lift we travel quickly to the Grands Montets glacier (3200 m)- for snow and ice course, after which, we descent to the Argentiere hut (2769 m) for an overnight (about 450 meters descent, max 2.5 hours walk)
Day 3: Descent to the valley and drive to Gressoney (2 hrs.) with one of the afternoons lifts we ascent to the Mantova hut at 3550 m (about 1.5 hours walk to the hut 300 meters elevation gain)
Day 4: We will climb together 2 mountains above 4,000 meters: Vincent-Pyramide, 4215 m – Schwarzhorn, 4321 m, before walking back to the hut. (750 m ascent + descent, 6 hours walking) this day we will change huts and stay slightly higher at the Gnifetti Hut (3547 m).
Day 5: Ludwigshöhe, 4341 m – Parrotspitze, 4432 m (800 m ascent + descent, 6 hours walking).
Day 6: Two major summits: Signallkuppe 4,554 m, on its summit, the Capanna Regina Margherita (the highest mountain hut in the Alps) will host us for a short break. The Zumsteispitze 4,563m is our second summit - after which we return to the Gnifetty hut. (1050 m, 7 hours walk)
Day 7: Via our last 4,000-meter summit- the Punta Giordani 4046 m- we descend back to Gressoney and drive together to Chamonix. (820 m ascent, 6.5 hours walk)
The mentioned timetable is exemplary and may vary due to conditions, the ability of the participants, safety & weather limitations.
Video: Mountainspro 4,000 meters week in the Monte Rosa.