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Swiss 4000ers Week | |||||||
Dates: 29 june-4 July, 17-22 Aug Price: £895 Ratio: 1:3 | |||||||
proceed to booking | |||||||
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Saas is a great venue for interesting and spectacular, yet not too technical 4000m peaks. We will be in high alpine glaciated terrain for much of the week, spending 4 nights in mountain huts - with a welcome night in a valley hotel in the middle! This week will appeal to alpine first timers with good hill walking experience and fitness, as well as those who already have the alpine bug from previous trips. All required skills are taught at the start of the week. There is a good variety of climbing with glaciers, snow slopes, easy rocky scrambling and ridges...and stunning views. There will predawn starts on the climbing days, but this is balanced with relaxing in the sunny afternoons after the climb... Included in the price: guides fees and expenses, 4 nights half board accommodation in mountain huts. Not included in the price: Travel to and from Saas Grund at the start/end of trip, accomodation in Saas Grund (though we will book this for the group), equipment rental, insurance, lunches and drinks, any skilift tickets. Meet: We meet Saturday evening (day 0) at 6pm in Saas Grund to deal with any equipment rental and run through the plan for the week. We return to Saas Grund Friday afternoon and recommend you book your return flight on Saturday. | Kit List Ice axe - for general mountaineering (at least 60cm long) Crampons - for general mountaineering with anti-ballingplates Helmet - optional Poles - optional Boots - these must fit and be comfortable. We feel it is best not to rent boots. Rather buy some and have them fitted professionally - this will make your week much more comfortable, fun and blister free! Try and make sure they broken in before the week. They should be high-end insulated leather and must be compatible with your crampons. Rucksack - 40-50l Waterbottle 1L - not platypus type - they freeze and leak. Harness, 3 screw gate karabiners, belay device, 1 8-foot sling 2 pairs sunglasses (cat 4), goggles, sunhat, sunscreen, lip salve/block 3 sets socks and light coloured thermal tops Lightweight goretex top/bottoms, warm hat, thick gloves, thin gloves Insulating layers. I use a thin '100' weight fleece and a synthetic duvet jacket. Personal first aid - blister kit, ibuprofen. Head torch and gaiters Book/iPod for spare time in huts Remember kit should be lightweight but functional - you have to carry it! We can help with equipment rental in Chamonix. Typical Itinerary Day1 - walk up to the Brittania hut (3hrs) and crampon/ice axe training Day2 - climb the Allalinhorn (4027m) and return to the Brittania hut (6-7hrs) Day3 - climb the Strahlhorn (4190m) and descend to Saas Grund (10hrs) Day4 - walk up to the Almagella hut (4hrs) Day5 - traverse the Weissmiess (4023m). Overnight in the Weissmiess hut (8-9hrs) Day6 - climb the Lagginhorn (4010m) and descend to Saas Grund (8-9hrs) | ||||
What to expect from mountain huts They are basic but comfortable. They can cater for vegetarians. Food is usually on a set menu basis (3 course in the evening, hot drink and bread/jam/cereal for breakfast). Often there is no running water and so you have to buy water to drink and wash with (no showers). You can usually buy tea, coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks, chocolate bars and snacks. Sleeping arrangements are normally dormitory style bunkbeds (eg 6 people on the bottom, 6 on the top) with blankets or duvets. There is certain 'hut etiquette'. On arrival we leave our boots and metal ware in the entrance bootroom before going inside. Huts can be economical on space, and so staying tidy helps everyone! In the morning, breakfast will be early. We need to make sure the bedrooms are left as we found them (no rubbish, blankets/duvets folded). You can expect a good atmosphere and a stunning view! See links page for Chamonix accomodation and airport transfers from Geneva. | |||||
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