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HIGHLIGHTS
A quick look about this trip!
DURATION
8 DAYS
COMFORT
LANGUAGE
RATING
  • Classic Swiss Alpine climbing week
  • Climb as many as four Alpine peaks in Switzerland over 4000m
  • Flexible climbing programme
  • Beautiful Saas Fee base
  • Switzerland's finest refuges
ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP
Primary: Trekking
Other: Glaciers, walking, climbing
$2300USD
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8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
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ONGOING PROMOTIONS
"Get 5% off when you book with AdventureLink before May 31st, 2012!"
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Applies to Departures Between:
4/25/2012 and 1/1/2013
Promotion lasts :
From 4/25/2012 To 6/1/2012
TRIP MAP
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Swiss 4000 Metre Peaks

An exciting adventure holiday in the Swiss Alps climbing 4000 metre high mountains. Surrounded by accessible 4000 metre /13,000 feet peaks, the pretty mountain village of Saas Fee in Switzerland makes an ideal base for an Alpine climbing week.
An exciting adventure holiday in the Swiss Alps climbing 4000 metre high mountains. Surrounded by accessible 4000 metre /13,000 feet peaks, the pretty mountain village of Saas Fee in Switzerland makes an ideal base for an Alpine climbing week. During 6 days, we will aim to climb four 4000 metre peaks in the Swiss Alps, with our excellent guide to client ratio allowing for a variable climbing programme. Previous winter climbing experience is not essential. Our first objective to climb is the Strahlhorn (4190m/15,920ft), which is achieved by way of climbing from the Britannia Hut and offers tremendous views, extending over 100 kilometres (60 miles)across the Swiss Alps to the Mont Blanc Massif. We then turn our attention towards climbing the Allallinhorn (4027m/13,208ft), which we climb via the Hohlaubgrat, a classic alpine snow ridge. Returning to the valley, we climb to the Almageller Hut to begin our traverse of the Weissmies (4023m/13,195ft), climbing its south-south-east ridge and descending to the Weissmies Hut. As a conclusion to this truly memorable week of climbing in the Alps of Switzerland, we tackle the classic Lagginhorn (4010m/13,152ft), via the rock and snow of its west-south-west ridge. This final Swiss Alps summit affords a fantastic 360 panorama, including the Monte Rosa group to the south and the Bernese Oberland to the north-east. This holiday climbing in the Swiss Alps is a real mountain adventure.

Important note (Days 1 - 8)
The following is an example itinerary. The actual programme will be determined by the guides who will use their experience and local knowledge to choose the best options for the prevailing conditions.

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.
Day 1: Arrive in Saas Grund
The group will rendezvous at the hotel in the village of Saas Grund (adjacent to the better-known ski station of Saas Fee). Here, you will be welcomed and 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 the guide to check out your clothing and gear and to decide if you will need to pick up any further items of equipment, before setting out in the morning. After this, it will be time to sit down to dinner. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal. Meals included: Dinner
Day 2: Ascend to the Britannia Hut
We make a short transfer by bus to Saas Fee, where we make use of the Platjen cable car to gain altitude. From the top of this lift, we have a pleasant 2 to 3 hour walk on a good path following an easy shelf that traverses the Mittaghorn, deep below us lies the valley of Saas Almagell.On the early part of the trail we get excellent views across to the Weissmies and Laggin Horn. We then hit more rugged glacial territory and an ice field just before arriving at the Britannia Hut (3030m) which is situated on a rocky ridge between 2 glaciated bowls. We are now in the high mountains and the snowy mountain tops gather around us. In the afternoon, the nearby ice field provides a great place to practice basic snow and ice skills – our guides will take us through some comprehensive instruction on basic rope work, moving as a team, crampons on and ice axes at the ready. This is a great chance to familiarise ourselves with the tools of the trade and by the end of the session we will feel comfortable and competent – ready for the week of climbing ahead. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Lodging Britannia Hut
Description The Britannia Hut is the most popular SAC mountain hut in the Alps and the start point of the Haute Route from Saas-Fee to Chamonix.
Day 3: Climb the Allalinhorn
Our first possible peak, accessed from the Britannia hut, is the Allalinhorn (4027m). Due to the recent demise of the ice and snow fields between the Britannia Hut and the Mittel Allalin Metro Station (3454m), we now have a bit of an extra walk as the new path takes us down, around and inevitably, back up to the station, avoiding the danger posed by the disappearing ice and rock instability! Once at the Mittal Allalin we have a pleasant climb up glacier to the rocky summit, returning by the same route. At the Mittel Allalin there is a revolving restaurant, sun terraces and if you haven’t seen enough ice – a very spectacular series of carved out ice tunnels leading down into the glacier! The terrace offers a fantastic retrospective of our route and a chance for a beer to celebrate. Once fully refreshed we make our way back to the Britannia Hut for a second night. (B,D)
Lodging Britannia Hut
Description The Britannia Hut is the most popular SAC mountain hut in the Alps and the start point of the Haute Route from Saas-Fee to Chamonix.
Day 4: Climb the Strahlhorn
Our main objective today is to climb is the Strahlhorn (4190m). This massive snow-peak lies to the south of the Britannia Hut and provides a very straightforward ascent across the Allalin Glacier. No great technical difficulty, but a long way to walk, this peak will certainly be a test for everyone’s fitness. We gain the Col about half way up the peak before breaking left along the main summit ridge. We have breath-taking views of the Matterhorn and the Dufourspitz – the 2nd highest peak in the European Alps, plus many more 4000m peaks. This is a challenging peak which will give us good acclimatisation and the chance to gain confidence moving on crevassed terrain without too much technical difficulty. Once back at the hut, we gather our belongings and walk out to Platjen cable car and back to Saas Fee. From here we make a short bus ride back to our hotel base for a welcome shower and clean socks! 10 hours round trip to the summit and an early 'alpine' start is a must. 1hour 40 minutes to walk out from the hut. Note that days 3 and 4 are interchangeable – depending on weather and snow conditions. (B,D)
Day 5: Ascend to the Almageller Hut
Our next objectives lie on the east side of the Saas Valley and, after a short transfer to Saas Almagell, we begin our approach to the Weissmies (4023m). From the village we take a small chairlift to the Alp of Furggstalden (1893m) where we start an interesting approach path to Almagelleralp (2 hours). There is a mountain hotel here, a great place to take a break or lunch if you want one. Leaving the trees behind, we then climb up towards the south side of the Weissmies, reaching the Almageller Hut (2894m) after a further 2 to 3 hours. In this area the Ibex are very tame and will pose for photos only a few feet away. We stay overnight at this spectacularly-located hut with superb views across the Saas Valley to the Dom (4545m) and the slightly smaller Taschhorn. We can also see the peaks that we have just climbed. (B,D)
Lodging Almageller Hut
Description The Almageller hut (German: Almagellerhütte) (2,894 m) is a mountain hut above Saas Almagell, in the Pennine Alps in the canton of Valais, Switzerland, owned by the Swiss Alpine Club.
Day 6: Traverse the Weissmies
Today, we propose to make a traverse of the Weissmies which is the highest mountain in the north-eastern Pennine Alps. Our intended route of ascent is the south-south-east ridge, which is reached by way of a good path to the Zwischbergen (between peaks) Pass. Our aim is to be at this pass for sunrise for a sensational view which is worth the effort. Just above this col, we rope up, initially climbing snow slopes which lead up to a rocky ridge and then a more exposed snow crest. We have more fantastic views from the summit, especially westwards to the Mischabel peaks and all of Switzerland’s 4000 metre summits. We descend the north-east flank of the mountain, an awe-inspiring glaciated passage through hanging seracs, possibly including ladder crossings of some of the bigger crevasses. Leaving the glacier, we arrive at the new Hosaas cable car station where we can buy food and drinks. From here it’s an ‘easy’ hour downhill to the Weissmies Hut (2726m) where we overnight. (B,D)
Lodging Weissmies Hut
Description The Weissmies Hut (German: Weissmieshütten) (2,726 m) is a mountain hut above Saas Grund in the Pennine Alps in the canton of Valais, Switzerland.
Day 7: Climb the Lagginhorn
Rising above the Weissmies Hut to the north-east is the Lagginhorn (4010m / 13,156ft), which makes a stunning final objective. The normal route on this interesting mountain is the west-south-west ridge and this is quickly gained from our overnight lodging. Gaining the ridge around sun-up, we can turn to view the famous Swiss sunrise panorama of the Mischabel peaks bathed in early morning alpen-glow. Time is taken here for photographs and soaking up the atmosphere before we continue on to the ridge proper and some exciting and exposed yet easy scrambling. In dry conditions this ridge can be a straightforward rock scramble, becoming more testing with a covering of snow and ice. There are fantastic 360 views at the summit, including the Monte Rosa group to the south and the Bernese Oberland to the north-east. Descent is via the same route. Occasionally, late season, this route becomes too icy to climb safely and in this case the guides will choose an alternative such as the Jegihorn (3206m) or ‘Hunter’s Peak’ which offers the most spectacular via ferrata in the whole of the Valais Alps. On our return to the hut there is time to enjoy a homemade ‘apple strudel’ and drinks, before descending to take the cable car back Saas Grund. We spend a final night in the group hotel. In the evening, we have a celebratory meal, and can reflect on our week’s mountaineering exploits. (B,D)
Day 8: Services end after breakfast
The KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. (B)
Overall Rating
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Bryan Hardaker
These was my first 'proper' Alpine summits and culminated for me with the spectacular stretch of ridge approaching the summit of the Weissmies. Traversing a snow ridge which is less than a foot wide in places with 1000m drops on both sides is something I've seen in mountaineering books but never imagined I'd be capable of doing. Being lead by guides who I had complete confidence in meant that I learnt a lot, and gave me much more confidence in my own abilities at this level.
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Philip Cox
As always, the information provided by KE was extremely detailed and useful. The mountain huts were generally very good - in some cases much better than I'd expected. Catering for my vegetarian diet in the huts was impressive. Kathy Murphy was an excellent trip leader - attentive and good-humoured. She was also a superb guide on the mountains - setting an appropriate pace and ensuring everybody was both safe and in good spirits. Julie Ann Clyma and Steve Hartland were also exceptionally good - we were very lucky to have such an experienced and professional team. The success of the holiday was in no small sense due to them. I enjoyed every aspect of the trip. I probably got most satisfaction from climbing the Weissmeis and the Lagginhorn - as these were the most challenging climbs. Having said this, the two earlier climbs were good preparation and ensured that I was fully acclimatised. Even the 'transition' day walking to the Almagellar hut was great fun - especially 'playing' on the big boulder. Having travelled to the Swiss Alps with KE before I had a reasonable sense of what was in store - and the trip lived up to my high expectations.
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Adrian Gans
Weismies was incredible. Ad hoc climbing with the guides was a lot of fun. The variety of the trip was superb. The summits were unforgettable. Great experience with KE last year, everyone recommends KE too.
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TRIP INCLUDES
  • Professional guiding at a ratio of 1:3
  • All accommodation as described in the trip dossier
  • Meals as detailed in the Meal Plan
  • All cable cars and uplifts that are part of the itinerary
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • Travel insurance
  • Airport transfers
  • Some meals as detailed in the Meal Plan
  • Miscellaneous personal expenses
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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