Alpine Tour for Beginners, 2 Days, Breithorn 4,164M, Switzerland
From: CHF 535
Hike to over 4,000M to the summit of Breithorn. A perfect alpine tour for beginners. Learn mountaineering. Experience high alpine touring. An easy introductory guided Zermatt alpine tour to climb your first 4,000M peak and experience alpine touring in The Alps.
The season is from June to October.
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Reviews 1 Review5/5
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Activity Level Moderate Adventure Holidays
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Group Size Small Group
Alpine Tour for Beginners
Overview
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2 Days
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Staying in Mountain Hut, 3,030M
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Qualified Mountain Guide
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Perfect first 4,000M Peak
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No Experience Required
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Small Groups, 3 to 6 per Mountain Guide
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Learn Basic Mountaineering Skills
Why Do We Recommend It?
It’s a fantastic introduction to high alpine touring.
You learn theory and get to practice it in the Alps with your own mountain guide.
We think Zermatt is one of the most beautiful adventure destinations on the planet.
Experienced and trusted local mountaineering partner.
Is It Right for Me?
You don’t need to have any previous experience. However, you should be able to hike for at least a few hours at a time. This is one of the easier 4,000M peaks to summit. It’s mostly high alpine hiking to the top.
If you’d like to summit your first 4,000M peak or learn more about how to stay safe and successful on high alpine hikes, then this is perfect for you. It’s also a good first tour for mountaineering beginners.
What People Say About The Trip
The experience of standing on top of a 4000M peak was just amazing
Can I Go Anytime?
The season is from June to October. The dates that you can select from are departures that are planned. However, just send us an email to request personal dates and we will do what we can to accommodate them. We can always arrange private tours upon request.
Itsy Bitsy Details
- Where: Breithorn, Zermatt
- Duration: 2 Days
- Tour Starts: Zermatt Train Station
- Tour Ends: Zermatt
- Fly To: Sion, Geneva, Zurich or Milan
- Fly From: Sion, Geneva, Zurich or Milan
- Group Size: 3 to 6 per Mountain Guide
- Age: No limit
- Average Climb/Day: 2 to 5 hours, up to approx. 700 vertical meters
More Great Climbing Courses and Hiking Tour
- Guiding and supervision by a qualified mountain guide
- Accommodation with half board: 1 x mountain hut (base camp)
- All necessary rental equipment
- Travel to the course (parking fee, CHF 15.50 per day)
- Transport (by mountain rail)
- Snacks and drinks
- A CHF 12 per night (approx.) hut tax for non-SAC members
Course Contents
- On this training tour, you’ll be able to enjoy your first alpine tour safely under the careful supervision of our mountain guides. The following content will be delivered:
- Basic knots
- Using crampons and safety equipment
- Handling an ice axe
- Using a rope
- Preparing for a tour
- Any information relevant to equipment
Aim
After the course, you will be able to take part in simple alpine tours led by a mountain guide, e.g. Pollux 4,092 m, Weissmies 4,023 m, etc.
Technique – beginner
A continuous route, sure-footedness and experience of day hikes required; Terrain: mostly moderately steep (T1-T2); Alpine technique: experience is not necessary
Condition – beginner
Duration from 2 to 5 hours, up to approx. 700 vertical meters, approx. 250 vertical meters per hour.
Small group
3-6 participants per mountain guide
Meeting place
11:15 a.m. at Zermatt train station
Departure
Approx. 3 p.m. from point of departure
Accommodation
SERVICES
Included
Guiding and supervision by a mountain guide, accommodation with half board: 1 x hut (base camp), rental equipment
Not included
Travel to the course (parking fee, CHF 15.50 per day), transport (by mountain rail), snacks and drinks, a CHF 12 per night (approx.) hut tax for non-SAC members
PROGRAM
Day 1
Individual arrival in Zermatt. Welcome and information about the upcoming weekend provided by the mountain guide. The train will then take you to the Trockener Steg. Trek to the Gandegg Hut. Training will take place in the afternoon. After this, you can enjoy a cozy get-together and a great night at the hut. (Distance: 2 km. Duration: approx. 1.5 hours. Ascent/Descent: 300/100 vertical meters)
Day 2
We’ll travel to the Klein Matterhorn at 3,883 m by mountain rail. You will traverse the Breithorn Plateau, a glaciated plateau of impressive dimensions. The knowledge acquired on day one regarding the use of crampons and ice axes will come in very useful on the steep ascent towards the summit.
The ascent to the highest point is worthwhile in every way. In addition to that incredible feeling of having managed to reach the top of a 4,000-meter peak by yourself, you can look forward to a tremendous panoramic view of the Western Valais 4,000-meter peaks, the Mont Blanc area, the Gran Paradiso Chain with the Aosta Valley, the Po Valley all the way to the distant Bernina Group and the Bernese Alps. Congratulations on climbing this impressive 4,000-meter peak! The descent will take you to the Klein Matterhorn station and from here the train will take you back to the green pastures of the Mattertal Valley. Individual journey home. (Distance: 6 km. Duration: 3.5 hours. Ascent/Descent: 300/100 vertical meters)
EQUIPMENT
Rental equipment
Our mountain guide will bring the ordered rental equipment to the meeting place. The following equipment can be rented:
- Climbing harness with 2 screwgate carabiners and 1 prusik
- Ice axe
- Crampons with ABS
Technical equipment
- Climbing harness with 2 screwgate carabiners and 1 Prusik
- Ice axe
- Crampons with ABS
- Backpack approx. 30l with rain cover
- Gaiter (optional)
Clothing
- Hardshell jacket and pants (wind- and waterproof)
- Mountaineering or trekking pants
- Softshell and/or fleece jacket
- Short/long functional underwear
- Cap/headband and hat
- 2 pairs of gloves (1 thin pair, 1 warm, windproof and waterproof pair)
- Functional socks and spare socks
- Hiking shoes or mountaineering shoes (at least ankle-high, hard sole)
Overnight cottage
- Own toiletries, earplugs if required
- clothes to wear in the hut (Minimum)
- slipper socks are at the hut
- Sleeping bag liner made of silk or cotton (for hygienic reasons)
- SAC/Alpine Club member card (if available)
Food
- Breakfast and dinner at the hut
- Tea and lunch must be brought or can be bought at the hut
- Snacks (e.g. energy bars, dried fruit, dried meat)
Various
- Sunglasses
- Sun cream and lip cream (SPF 30 or higher)
- Camera and binoculars (optional)
- half-fare travelcard (if existing)
- Thermos flask made from break-proof material
- headlamp or flashlight with new batteries
- Small medicinal supplies for personal requirements
- Guiding and supervision by a qualified mountain guide
- Accommodation with half board: 1 x mountain hut (base camp)
- All necessary rental equipment
- Travel to the course (parking fee, CHF 15.50 per day)
- Transport (by mountain rail)
- Snacks and drinks
- A CHF 12 per night (approx.) hut tax for non-SAC members
Activity Level: Moderate
Average fitness required, but OK for most people. No knowledge or skills required.
I had an amazing time on this trip with Michael as our Mountain Leader. Coming from a Scottish Mountaineering background, i think this was a a great introduction into alpine/glacier environments. Even though I am relatively fit, I found it very tough in places. I recommend spending a day or two to acclimatize beforehand (I went from sea level to 3300m in one day...). Still, hugely rewarding and definitely worth the money to feel safe climbing your first 4000er. Would happily recommend.