Italian High Level Trek

Italian High Level Trek 8 Days

From $1795 USD

Trip URL: www.adventurelink.com/

5 reviews

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Italian High Level Trek
Italian High Level Trek
Italian High Level Trek
Italian High Level Trek
Italian High Level Trek
Italian High Level Trek
Italian High Level Trek
Italian High Level Trek
Italian High Level Trek
Italian High Level Trek
Italian High Level Trek
Italian High Level Trek
Italian High Level Trek

Overview
Itinerary
Nuts & Bolts
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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 8 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 80.0%
Trip ID: 62384
Start Location: Sankt Niklaus, Switzerland
End Location: Zermatt, Switzerland

Guaranteed:
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Primary Activities: Trekking
Other Activities: Hiking, Glaciers, Historical Sites, Mountaineering, sightseeing, Urban Exploration, climbing, Walking Tour
Activity Level: Intermediate, Intermediate

A simply unbeatable walking holiday adventure trekking high in the Italian Alps with easy climbing to Alpine summits. This fantastic walking and climbing holiday in the Italian Alps begins with an afternoon of Alpine glacier skills training at the Gandegg Hut above Zermatt, in the shadow of the iconic Matterhorn. The Breithorn (4164m / 13661ft) is our first walking objective on the following day, before trekking the long descent into Italy's picturesque Gressoney Valley. Walking back up to the lively Gniffeti Refuge, high on the south side of Monte Rosa, sets us up for one of the finest of all trekking days in the Italian Alps, traversing the Lisjoch pass into Switzerland and ascending the Signalkuppe (4556m / 14,948ft). Here we can take lunch at the Margarita Hut, the highest in the Alps. This fantastic high level route ends with a long glacial descent into Zermatt, with an overnight at the Monte Rosa Alpine Hut, a little oasis of green amongst the towering giants of the Italian Alps. Alpine walking and straightforward climbing doesn't get any better than this!

Notes: Prices and itineraries shown for trips departing in 2013 may be subject to change although we will endeavour to keep any price increases for 2013 trips to a minimum. 2013 prices will be confirmed in October 2012.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in ST.Niklaus

Rendezvous at the group hotel in St.Niklaus. Here, you will meet your guides and be made to feel at home. In the evening, we will have an informal chat about the week ahead. There will also be a chance for our guide to check out your clothing and equipment and to decide if you will need to pick up any further items of equipment in Zermatt. We have our evening meal in the Hotel. The Guides will meet everyone on the terrace of the hotel’’s bar at 7pm. Meals included: Dinner (D)

Day 2: A training and acclimatisation day

From the Hotel, we take a taxi into Zermatt and walk for 15 minutes to the Klein Matterhorn cable car. (A chance for last minute shopping). It’s a spectacular ride up to the mid-station at Trockenersteg at 2939m. / 9643ft. From here, it is just a short walk up to the spectacularly situated Gandegg Hut (3029m. / 9938ft.). This family run refuge provides a warm welcome and has an excellent lunch time menu. The afternoon is spent on the Theodul Glacier, covering basic crampon and glacial travel techniques and some rocky scrambling. We stay overnight in the hut. 2 – 3 hours of activity after lunch. (B, D)

Day 3: Climb the Breithorn

We make the short descent to the Trockenersteg cable car and use this system to take us to the top of the Klein Matterhorn at 3883m. / 12,740ft. Walking straight out of the lift onto the glacial Breithorn Plateau, we put on our crampons and rope up for the ascent of the Breithorn (4164m / 13,662ft..). A straightforward snow climb leads to a short, narrow ridge up to the summit, where we have great views in all directions. We descend to the Breithorn Pass (3824m. / 12,546ft.), from where we traverse glacial terrain below the south face of the Breithorn, to near a col known as the Schwarztor (3731m. / 12,241ft.).We now pass by the toe of Pollux’s (4092m) south-east ridge and descend, on glacier, all the way to the Refugio d’Ayas (3440m. / 11,287ft.), a relatively new Italian hut where we stay. Overnight. A day of approximately 5 hours. 300m of ascent, a long traverse then descent 650m. (B, D)

Day 4: Passo di Bettolina to the Rifugio Guglielmina

Leaving the Rifugio Ayas early in the morning, we make a short steep descent of a path (with ropes).We cross a short section of easy glacier and then scramble down rocks to the Mezzalama hut (3004m. / 9856ft.) where we pick up a good footpath down to Plan di Verra Sup, in the Vallee D’Ayas. From here we ascend the Passo di Bettolina (2905m. / 9531ft.) At first a little trail leads us upwards for the passage through to the Val di Gressoney.The latter part of this ascent is a challenging boulder field! Which finally gives us access to a broad ridge and easier terrain underfoot.

Often herds of ibex can be seen grazing in this area. We descend the Bettaforca valley, passing several deserted shepherds huts to the village of Stafal, at the head of the Val di Gressoney.Time to relax and refreshments, before taking the cable car to the Passo dei Salati (2963m / 9721ft) from where it is a short walk to our mountain hotel, situated near the Col d’Olen. The Rifugio Guglielmina, built by the Guglielmina family in 1878, was the highest hotel in Europe for a time, and played a major role in the mountaineering history of the Monte Rosa. It is still run by descendants of the original family. A warm welcome and good food guaranteed. Showers are sometimes available here. 800m of ascent, 2500m of descent! 7 – 8 hrs of walking. (B, D)

Lodging: Rifugio Guglielmina
Description: The Refuge is located at the foot of the Wilhelmina south face of Monte Rosa in high Valsesia. To reach the refuge is recommended to use the Monterosa ski lifts that lead to Alagna 2900m Passo Salati. Da qui per un'agevole strada sterrata (o con gli sci durante la stagione invernale) si scende al rifugio in circa 10 minuti. From here to a smooth dirt road (or skiing in winter) you go down to the shelter in about 10 minutes.

Day 5: Pyramid Vincent and the Balmenhorn

We retrace our steps to the cable car and use this to ascend to the Passo dei Salati 2963m/9721ft and then, via the new Indren cable car, arrive at 3275m – all without any effort! However, now we start walking! We leave the lift station and cross first the Glacier di Indren and then a rock band with the aid of a few chains, to reach the Rifugio Mantova (3500m) in approximately 1 hour. This is a lively Italian establishment, which has been completely renovated over the past few years. After a very short stop to leave any extra gear, we make an ascent of Pyramid Vincent( 4215m) – a straight-forward glacial trek. This snow summit is an excellent viewpoint. We now descend to Col Vincent (4088m) and make the short climb to the Balmenhorn (4167m). To get to this little summit we have to negotiate a short (4 metre) rock wall facilitated by cables and staples. The summit is adorned with a religious monument and a small emergency hut. We return to our refuge via the same route, popping into the older Gniffetti hut if time allows. C.1040m up and 1040m down. 6-7 hours walking. In the event of poor weather or lift closure we will use an alternative route to the Passo Dei Salati, from where we follow the ridge due north, skirting around the Stolemberg. This path has occasional hand cables where the exposure is high. Reaching the cableway station of Punta Indren, we follow the first part of the above route to reach the Rifugio Mantova. 1150m of ascent, 5-6 hrs. (B, D)

Day 6: Signalkuppe to the Monta Rosa Hut

An amazing day – Nowhere in the Alps can you walk on such a high glacier with so many 4000 metre peaks so close! The Monte Rosa Group is the largest mountain mass above 4000m. / 13,000ft. in the European Alps. A few of these summits are relatively easy glaciated snow peaks. Our aim today is to ascend and cross the Lisjoch (4151m. / 13,619ft.), a high glacier col which is the only ‘easy’ crossing point back into Switzerland. This day is completely weather and conditions dependent, even in perfect weather this is a tough day. All being well we now ascend the Signalkuppe (4556m. / 11,667ft.), and take a short break at the Margarita Hut on the summit. This is the highest mountain refuge in the Alps with excellent 360 degree views. Don’t forget to admire the East face below you – one of the biggest faces in the Alps. Before too late in the day we make our way down the huge, heavily crevassed Grenz gletcher, below the north face of Lyskamm and exit on the right bank to the Plattje, an oasis of green amongst towering giants. We overnight in the new Monte Rosa Hut (2883m). The Swiss claim this recently build refuge to be the ‘showpiece’ of modern mountain huts. 8 –10 hours. 1050m ascent, descent 1270m. (B, D)

Lodging: Monte Rosa Hut
Description: The Monte Rosa Hut (German: Monte Rosahütte) is a mountain hut located near Zermatt at the foot of Monte Rosa (4,634 m) at an altitude of 2,795 metres. It is owned by the Swiss Alpine Club. The hut is the start of the normal route to the summit and other mountains in the area. The first hut was built in 1895. A completely new building was inaugurated in 2009, at an altitude of 2,883 metres.

Day 7: Return to Zermatt

After a leisurely breakfast, we make our way back to Zermatt via the Gornergrat Glacier. Having left the glacier we take a contouring path to the Rotenboden station of Gornergrat mountain railway (3 hours). The views from this path are truly spectacular – Matterhorn, Breithorn, Castor, Pollux, Liskamm, Signalkuppe, Dufoursptitze and Nordend – all towering above 4000m! We have a celebratory lunch in Zermatt, with time to look around, or do some souvenir shopping. Overnight in group hotel in Zermatt. (B, D)

Day 8: Services end after breakfast

KE group package services end after breakfast. (B)

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

Professional IFMGA Guide(s)
All accommodsation as described in the tip dossier
Meals as detailed in the Meal Plan

Trip Excludes

International flights
Travel insurance
Airport transfers
Internal transport costs (taxi cable cars and railways)
Some meals as detailed in the Meal Plan
Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

Trip ID#: 62384

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Operator

For the specifics on this tour operator, please contact AdventureLink directly.

Reviews (5)

Melinda Jones

The guides were very professional and although they made the trip fun, they were also very safety conscious. It was my first time using crampons and ice axe and I had so much fun. The views were breathtaking despite poor weather on a couple of days. The sense of achievement will stay with me longer than our warm weather holiday we are about to take.
- Overall Rating
  80%
- Guide Rating
  100%
- Value Rating
  90%
- Itinerary Rating
  90%
- Accomodation Rating
  70%
Adrian Gans

An amazing trip, unforgettable. My first time on a glacier and my first 4000m peak.
- Overall Rating
  90%
- Guide Rating
  90%
- Value Rating
  90%
- Itinerary Rating
  80%
- Accomodation Rating
  70%
Peter Gray

I am constantly judged and scored on my performance every day, so it is difficult not to be dissapointed. I had come with a wish list of aims and objectives and for once not only were all of these meet but resoundingly exceeded. The excellent leadership of Kathy and Tim added to this experience, together with a great group who pulled and worked well together.
- Overall Rating
  80%
- Guide Rating
  100%
- Value Rating
  90%
- Itinerary Rating
  90%
- Accomodation Rating
  80%
Sue Tuerena

The holiday fitted my expectations. Excellent client care with some push over personal comfort zones.
- Overall Rating
  100%
- Guide Rating
  90%
- Value Rating
  90%
- Itinerary Rating
  90%
- Accomodation Rating
  80%
Raymond Bainbridge

All admin couldn't have been better. I also booked an extra 3 days to help acclimatise. My hotel was booked through KE with no problems. KE staff gave me options for my 3 solo walks. Excellent ideas to get me started. Kathy (our leader) was great. I also thought Tim (our second leader) was excellent. I think both took us to what we thought were our limits and then got us to do a bit more. I felt very safe and found them both to be approachable and very knowledgeable. I have been on 3 Alpine trips before and this was the one on which I achieved most. The scenery was unbelievable. I enjoyed going beyond my comfort zone and doing the uncomfortable things e.g .ridge between Breithorn and Breithorn Central. The crevasse crossings on the Grenz Glacier had me feeling fully alive. Watching the guides at work in a difficult situation was inspiring. The desserts in the Rifugio Guglielmina were amazing.
- Overall Rating
  80%
- Guide Rating
  100%
- Value Rating
  90%
- Itinerary Rating
  80%
- Accomodation Rating
  70%

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