Monte Rosa Ascent
The Pointe Dufour, with its 4634m, is the summit of what is called the Monte Rosa Massif straddling Switzerland and Italy: it is the second highest massif in the Alps after Mont Blanc.
Itinerary
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Day 1 Monte Rosa hut
Go to Zermatt with your guide before the departure of the Gornergrat train. In half an hour we reach the altitude station of Rotenboden at just over 2800m above sea level. From there we first take a path across the Gornergrat. By ladders and handrails we reach the glacier below. It will be necessary to cross it before reaching the moraine of 300m which joins the shelter. Its specific shape and the fact that it is covered with aluminum plates makes it look like a rock crystal. Thanks to its south facade covered by photovoltaic solar collectors and other thermal sensors, the cabin covers 90% of its energy needs, a technological feat at 2883m altitude.
Positive difference in altitude : around 300m | Negative difference in altitude : around 240 | Altitude Max : 2883m | Accommodation : Monte Rosa Hut
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Day 2 Dufour Peak (4634m)
Early morning departure first in the rocks then we set foot on the glacier: the long climb to join the Silbersattle at 4515m by the Monte Rosa Glescher begins! It ends with a small wall that reaches the Silbersattle: the small pass located between the Nordend and Pointe Dufour. Then rock, ice, snow and we dominate the surrounding peaks: here we are at the top at 4634m, what happiness!
It will not take too much time because a long descent awaits us, then the path to return to the Rotenboden station will ask to draw on our last resources.Positive difference in altitude : around 2000 | Negative difference in altitude : around 2060 | Altitude Max : 4634m
Dates & prices
International departures:
No departure for now
Trip code: AMR2
Included
- The technical organisation of the trip
- A high mountain guide's supervision
- Full-board accommodation at the cabin
- Picnics for lunch
- Train in Rotenboden
- Collective equipment necessary for your safety
Not included
- Individual transportation assured by your personal vehicle
- Individual technical equipment
- Drinks & personal expenses
- Snacks (cereal bars, dried fruits, chocolate bars, etc.) according to your own convenience
- Insurance & assistance: cancellation, research and rescue by helicopter in high mountain (in France, Italy and Switzerland) hospitalization and repatriation
- Everything that isn't mentioned in the "included" section
Notes
International flights
Terms and conditions
Subscription
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
- More than 30 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of 50€
- From 30 to 21 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of the deposit (30% of the trip’s price)
- From 20 to 14 days before departure, you will be charged for 50% of the trip’s price
- From 13 to 7 days before departure, you will be charged for 75% of the trip’s priceLess than 7 days before departure, you will be charged for the whole trip’s price
- Airline fixed costs: plane tickets are bought in advance to avoid too high airline prices, however they are non refundable in case of cancellation or plan changes. In that case, the charges above apply to the price of your trip without the plane ticket’s price
- Ground fixed costs: you will be charged for the fees that were paid early
- Insurance fees: Insurance fees will not be refunded if you have subscribed to a multi-risk or cancellation insurance. The specific conditions will be written on your subscription confirmationIf you have no choice but to cancel your trip before departure, you must inform Montagne Expeditions and your insurance provider with a written statement as soon as possible, you will get a receipt.
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Insurance
Practical info
Staff
Food
- Lunch picnics
- Diners : meals prepared by shelter keepers
- Take some race food according to your own tastes (cereals bars, chocolate bars, dry fruits,…).
- Water is not for free in refuges (from 5 to 8 euros one bottle). We advise you to bring some water purification tablets (Aquatabs or Micropur) in order to drink tap water.
- Personal drinks are not included in the trip's price
- Bring some Swiss francs for coffees, fruit juices, coke or beers during breaks… Shelters usually don’t accept bank card payments and Euros.
Accommodation
- Every refuges of this itinerary are comfortable and warm. Dormitories are equipped with blankets for the night (plan to bring your personal bed sheet for hygiene reasons).
- Slippers are at your disposal : no need to bring trainers.
- We advise you to bring protection against noise (ear plugs).
- A few electrical plugs are available in refuges, but plan to bring an external battery to charge your camera and switch off your phone during the day.
Budget & exchange
Tips
Supplied equipment
- Collective equipment (ropes, carabiners, ...)
- Slippers while in huts
Material
TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT
- Mountaineering boots that you can fit crampons onto (with rigid soles)
- A comfortable mountaineering backpack (40/50L)
- Ice axe, crampons, harness with locking carabiner, helmet
- One or two collapsible walking poles (depending on what you are used to)
- A thermos water bottle (1.5L)
- A pair of gaiters
- A sheet-type for sleeping bag (there are blankets in the shelters)
- A small toiletry bag and a small towel fast drying (from specialized stores)
- A sunscreen (face and lips)
- A headlamp (LED type)
- A pocketknife
- Toilet paper (biodegradable if possible)
- Two plastic bags (100 liters) to protect the backpack from rain
INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT
- Cap or Hat for the sun
- Snow Goggles (category 4)
- 1 pair of very warm mountain gloves
- 1 pair of gloves in fleece or wool
- 1 extra safety pair of gloves (optional)
- Breathable technical underwear
- Breathable Technical Sub-pull (carline, light fleece ...)
- Fleece jacket
- 1 windbreaker jacket and waterproof Gore-Tex
- 1 breathable technical sticky
- 1 cozy mountain pants
- 1 wind pants and waterproof Gore-Tex
- 2 pairs of socks, a thin pair and thick pair of socks
- A pair of gaiters
- A sheet (there are blankets refuge)
- 1 waterproof pouch for your money, your documents like identity card or passport, yours insurance contracts / assistance and emergency phone numbers
Medicine
- An analgesic (avoid aspirin)
- Anti-inflammatory pills (tablets and gel)
- A broad-spectrum antibiotic
- An antispasmodic, antidiarrheal, antiseptic intestinal, an anti-vomiting
- Double skin dressings, compresses, tapes adhesive
- An antiseptic
- Sunscreen and Biafine
- Coated tablets to purify water (type Aquatabs)
- Bottle of water is very expensive in heights and on the mountains (up to 8 euros a bottle!)
- In addition: eye drops, tweezers, light tranquilizers and sleeping pills and / or earplugs, tonic for veins (against heavy legs)
- Personal medication.
Passport
Visa
- Up to 90 days visit in Switzerland : citizens from most countries do not need a visa to visit Switzerland.
- Over 90 days visit in Switzerland : non-EU or non-EFTA citizens must have a visa to visit Switzerland over 90 days.
Mandatory vaccines
Health information & recommendations
Weather
Electricity
Local time
Sustainable tourism
- Most of our accommodations are run by locals, thus ensuring that the largest part of the revenue generated through your trip will stay within the region.
- France is known for its exquisite cuisine. The art of cooking and the joy of eating are part of everyday life. Each region has its particular foods and flavors which we would like you to explore and appreciate.
- Water is a precious and rare good. Our team and those travelling with us are thus advised to use it with consideration and avoid excessive water use where possible.
- Please try to recycle your waste whenever possible, even though recycling may not be a well-known concept in all areas.
- Be cautious and respectful when hiking. Make sure to wear suitable footwear and avoid picking flowers, moving stones or lighting fires.