Matterhorn Goal
Itinerary
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Day 1 Climbing school at Gaillands, in Chamonix
Briefing on the week's program. Climbing day on the school-rock of the Gaillands for climbing, insurance, relay and abseiling descent technical revision.
Accommodation : Lodge in Chamonix
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Day 2 Departure for Saas Almagell (1660m). Climb to the Almagellerhütte hut (2894m)
From Chamonix, we leave in the morning for Saas Almagell (near Saas Fee), in the Swiss Valais (140km). Climb to the Almagellerhütte hut (2894m).
Positive difference in altitude : Around 1250 | Altitude Max : 2894m | Accommodation : Almagellerhütte hut
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Day 3 Dri Horlini rocky ascent (3209m)
In front of the hut, we start rock-climbing the SW ridge of the Dri Horlini at 3209m. Nice climb on a giant rock, with in-depth revision of relays. We'll come back down to the hut in the afternoon.
Positive difference in altitude : Around 350m | Negative difference in altitude : Around 350m | Altitude Max : 3209m | Accommodation : Almagellerhütte hut
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Day 4 Weissmies ascent (4023m) and descent to Saas Grund
With the Weissmies ascent (4023m) by its SSE ridge, we'll do a nice run in high mountain, with rocky passages and a beautiful snowy edge before arriving to the peak. We will descend by the very chapped Triftgletscher glacier, and then by a path leading us to the Hohsaas cable car (3098m), dropping us off in the valley, at Saas Grund (1560m).
Positive difference in altitude : Around 1120m | Negative difference in altitude : Around 925m | Altitude Max : 4023m | Accommodation : Full-board hotel in Saas Grund
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Day 5 Transfer to Täsch, and train to Zermatt. Cable car to Schwarzsee (2583m). Climn to the Hörnli hut (3260m)
From Saas Grund, we walk to Täsch in the valley nearby where we'll take the train to Zermatt, and then a cable car ride to Schwarzsee, at 2583m. A nice pathway will finally lead us to the Hörnli hut (3260m), at the feet of the Matterhorn normal way ascent start.
Positive difference in altitude : around 760m | Altitude Max : 3260m | Accommodation : Hörnli hut
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Day 6 Matterhorn ascent (4478m)
Today is the big ascent day ! We ascend Matterhorn (4478m) by the Hörnli ridge, back and forth. Departure at 3am to climb by the normal path with narrow passages with fix ropes.
A splendid snowy edge ends the ascent. We'll stay a few moments to enjoy our victory and immortalize it.
We climb back down on the same path until we reach the hut, and then Schwarzsee. Cable car ride descending to Zermatt, then train transfer to Täsch? Finally, return to Chamonix and saying goodbye after this wonderful week together.Positive difference in altitude : Around 1220m | Negative difference in altitude : Around 2000m | Altitude Max : 4478m
Dates & prices
International departures:
No departure for now
Trip code: ACER
Included
- Accommodation full board from day 1 at lunch time to day 6 at lunch time.
- Cable cars and transfers necessary to the trip's program
- A high mountain guide's supervision for 2 people when preparing, and 1 guide per person for the ascent
- Collective equipment necessary for safety
Not included
- Individual technical equipment
- Drinks & personal expenses
- Water in refuges (around 5 to 8€ a bottle)
- Insurance : cancellation, research and rescue by helicopter in high mountain (in France, Italy and Switzerland) hospitalization and repatriation
- Registration fees
- Everything that isn't mentioned in the "included" section
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
- Picnics for lunch
- In the evening, meals are served at the accommodation
- Bring some snacks according to your taste before departure: cereal bars, chocolate bars, dried fruit ... and do not hesitate to bring small specialties from your region for aperitifs!
Accommodation
Transportation
Budget & exchange
Tips
Supplied equipment
- Collective equipment (ropes, compass ...)
- Slippers while in huts
Vital equipment
- High Mountain shoes with rigid soles and that can be fitted with crampons (mandatory) : shoes trek type aren't sufficient
- A comfortable alpinism backpack (40 to 50L) : it has to have the straps for crampons, ice axe and helmet.
- Ice axe, crampons, harness equipped with a screw-type carabineer (be careful, carabineers can't be rented, you will have to buy one if you don't have one), helmet
- One of two telescopic ski poles (depending on your habits) : we highly recommend them, especially for descents
- A minimum 1.5L thermos
- A headlamp with replacement batteries and light bulbs
- A pocket knife
- A bag protector, in case of rain (non mandatory)
- A waterproof pouch with your money, identity papers (+ if you can your blood type / if you wear contact lenses, etc.), insurance/assistance contract with emergency phone numbers
- A pair of gaiters (can't be rented)
- A sheet
- A personal bed sheet (mandatory in refuges. There are blankets) : A SLEEPING BAG IS UNNECESSARY
- A zip locked bag with medications and toiletries (strict minimum : toothpaste, contact lenses products, hydroalcoholic solution to wash your hands) : sometimes there isn't running water in refuges, plan to bring a few wipes if you want (be careful to the weight)
- A small tube of sunscreen (SPF 50), face and lips + after sun
Material
- A warm hatA sun hat and/or a scarf
- Sun glasses for glacier, cat. 4 sun protection that are closing well on the sides + ski goggle
- A pair of warm gloves or mittens
- A pair of fleece or wool gloves or mittens
- A pair of silk gloves or mittens
- 2 or 3 breathable undershirts, preferably long sleeves (e.g. Capilene or polypro)
- Fleece or heavy jacket
- Down jacket (optional but highly appreciated the summit day if the weather is very cold)
- Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore Tex or similar)
- A pair of comfortable mountaineering pants
- Wind and waterproof over pants (Gore Tex or similar)
- Long underwear or running tights (e.g. Capilene or polypro)
- 2 pairs of socks : a warm one and a lighter one- gaiters- light-weight sleeping bag liner, preferably silk (wool covers are provided by the hut)
- Toiletries : only tooth-brush and tooth-paste- sun cream (face and lips)
- A head lamp with spare batteries and bulb
- Pocket knife
- A rain cover for your backpack (optional)
Luggage
Medicine
- Personal medicine
- Pain reliever (preferably paracetamol)
- Double skin
- Elastoplast
- Local disinfectant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-diarrheal
- Anti-vomiting
- Intestinal antiseptic
- Eyewash
- Light sleeping pills
- Earplugs
- Broad spectrum antibiotic
- Vitamins C
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.
Identity card
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.