For
those who enjoy Alpine or Scottish rock or
ice climbing, this course allows you to push
your technical climbing skills and your grades.
This course is based above the stunning Alpine
town of Zermatt in Switzerland and you could
climb from the Zermatt, Saas or even Turtmann
/ Anniviers valleys. You should be confident
on grade III ice or UK Severe or
US Grade 5.9 rock.
This
course aims to ascend famous ridge routes
around the AD / D grade around Zermatt.
Examples include the
Breithorn traverse, the
Zinal-Rothorn, Dent Blanche, Treverse of
the Nadelgrat, or the Rimpfischhorn. Many of these harder routes can only climbed on a 1:1 guiding ratio,
so much of the itinerary is experience dependent. The week is highly flexible to cater for
previous experience, conditions, fitness
etc.
A
key feature of this week is that you can stay every night during your guiding, based
in mountain huts above Zermatt
/ Zinal on a half board basis, and guardianned huts provide a
three course meal every evening. This
is good for acclimatisation and saves
time consuming walk-ins, making the most
of your climbing time.
For
those prefering snow or ice routes, rather
than mixed or involving some rock, you should
opt for the course dates early in the season
(June or July) for the best conditions with
more ice and less stonefall.
Whatever
your previous ice or rock experience, the
aim of this course is also to teach you more
skills and style points useful in your own
climbing, developing your mixed climbing,
grades and techniques on different routes.
Dates: these
are listed in the column on the right, and
they show the live availability from our secure
online booking system. When you book online,
you receive immediate confirmation, your Alpine
Information Booklet, course specific kit list
and invoice.
Brief
Course Itinerary
Sun
Travel
to Zermatt valley to check into the hotel for the night. In the early evening there is a course safety and itinerary briefing. There
is time for kit checks or rental of equipment. Briefings
are over by 19:00 and you are free to go out for dinner & drinks.
Night in Zermatt valley.
Mon
After breakfast, you meet your guide, and set off climbing. Today is a day to refresh your climbing
skills on rock and in crampons. A popular route
is the East Ridge of Breithorn with its exposed
snow ridge and great views into Zermatt, or another
possibility is one of the peaks above Saas or Zinal.
Some groups even opt for an Alpine rock route on
their way up to a mountain hut. Guiding ratio 1:1. Night in mountain hut.
Tue
Starting
with an early Alpine start from a hut. A popular
option for acclimatised and experienced climbers
is the exposed traverse of the Nadelgrat, meaning
'Needle Ridge'. This route involves some exciting
mixed climbing in crampons over the exposed ice
and rock at altitude. Another
option is a more technical route on Castor or Pollux
to then reach a different mountain hut. Guiding
ratio 1:1. Night in mountain hut.
Wed
Another
very early start for another summit. The popular
aim for today is the infamous altitude route of
the Zinal-Rothorn. This impressive route has a knife edge traverse over a void on both sides. There is mixed climbing,
and some sections of broken rock with huge exposure,
but fantastic views. Other options include some of the
big summits in the Mischabel group. Guiding ratio
1:1. Night
in mountain hut.
Thu
Today
is a little easier to rest you after the past couple
of long technical days, and to prepare you for the
big route tomorrow. This morning there is a short
technical rock route, to increase your knowledge
and technical skills and your speed of rope work.
In the afternoon you trek into the mountain hut
for the night, and can either practice technical
skills or rest and prepare. Guiding ratio 1:1. Night in
mountain hut.
Fri
An
early start for a major route at altitude such as
to summit the Dent Blanche. This famous route involves
a long ridge with sustained climbing over iced up
rock, very similar to the ascents of the Matterhorn
on the MItilleggi ridge of the Eiger. The
views from the summit are stunning, with the towering
North Face of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc dominating
the panorama. Guiding ratio 1:1.
Night in Zermatt valley.
Sat
Breakfast
then the accommodation check out is by 10:00. Most
book return trin tickets to leave around
this time, to catch a flight from Geneva in the middle of the day. Depart for home.
ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain
adventures are weather and conditions dependant,
so occasionaly we are forced to alter the plans.
If this is the case, suitable alternatives are offered.
Please use this outline itinerary as a guide to
the types of route / activity that you will attempt.
Course
Prices
Standard
course
5
days 1:1 guiding, 7 days holiday in total
£3299
Live
availability
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guide
for five days 1:1 guiding, 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics
& briefings, 3) 2 nights hotel accommodation in the Zermatt valley
(inc. beddings & towels), 4) Pre course information
booklet, 5) Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 6)
Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 7)
Evening technical instruction on evenings
in Chamonix.
Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Zermatt valley, 2) Equipment hire, 3)
Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, evening meals
in valley, & any purchases in mountain huts / hotels
/ restaurants, 4) Cable cars and uplift for you and your
guide, 5)
Any nights in mountain hut for you and your guide on a half board basis, though note some huts are unguardianned, 6) Activities insurance, & excess baggage
charges.
Current
course availability
Course Dates Zermatt Climber
No Dates Available
NOTE:
This trip has scheduled
dates, if a date you wish is
not listed, let us know, as we
can operate any extra dates
on demand for you. Get in touch!
A
terrific week of climbing that pushed
me to my limit, and the views were amazing.
Even when not climbing, Jeff (the guide)
taught me useful ropework and navigation
tips in the hut Jake
P , Zermatt Climber
Cheers
Team Icicle for a brill trip. Loved
it and defo back next year for more Becca
E , Zermatt Climber
Technically
challenging, and we both really appreciated
the flexibility that both Icicle and
the guide had to our week, in order
to allow us to climb some great routes Andrew
K , Zermatt Climber
Testimonials
Press
& media
Films
& videos
Photo
gallery
Location
data for this trip
The
trips meet in the Zermatt valley, close to the Matterhorn. It is easily accessed by train from Geneva airport.
Time
Difference
GMT +1hr
Local
Currency
CHF
Travel
from UK
1hr flight
Preparing
for the course
If
you are worried about acclimatisation, we recommend that
you book on an Acclimatisation
Weekend before
your course. to help you get acclimatised earlier, leaving
you with more summiting weather windows for the peaks.
View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here
Why
choose our trips?
See
our Alpine blog, by clicking on the Word-press logo
to the right.
Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather windows on any day, to maximise your
summit chances.
Our
prices are fixed in £ Sterling, to protect
you from euro fluctuations, so you can budget accurately.
There
is a choice of routes to opt for, depending on the
weather, conditions, and your experience.
Any
further questions?
A
key part of choosing a company is being able to come and
talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor
face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know
our clients value speaking to real people, getting open
and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are
British, and our office and outdoor store is based in
Windermere in the English Lake District.
Get
in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee
to discuss your course in person with a trip
advisor.
