Haute Route – Summer – Chamonix Guide Neil Hitchings

Summer Haute Route trek from Chamonix to Zermatt

Per participant 650 Euros. Minimum of 4 participants, maximum six

This trek, which links the two alpine capitals, is a multi-day hut to hut adventure traversing alpine valleys, alpine meadows and snow covered glaciers.

This is a wonderful voyage with constantly changing scenery, as one passes by some of the most impressive alpine summits. It is guaranteed to leave an unforgettable impression on your memory.

Arrival day
Meet up in the evening, talk and check gear.
Day 1
We have an early start from Le Tour village where we take the chair lift to the Col de Balme. From there, walking starts! An ascending traverses to the Albert 1er hut. At the hut, we take a short break. From leaving the hut, we are quickly on the Tour glacier. Basic instruction is given on: cramponing, moving together on a rope and crevasse recue. Then, we ascend and traverse the Col Superior du Tour (3288m) into Switzerland. From the col, we traverse the Plateau du Trient to the Trient hut (3170m).

Day 2
We descend the Val d’Orny, first on the glacier, then, on a contouring path to the Breya chair-lift. From there, we take the lift down to Champex village. Champex is a beautiful quiet village. There should be time to enjoy a coffee and a cake by the lake side. We leave Champex on wheels, taking a taxi to the village of Mauvoisin which is at the head of the Mauvoisin Lake. Again, on foot, we traverse the Dam, then, we walk above the lake and across alpine meadows where in the early summer, there is a multitude of alpine wild flowers. Three to four hours of walking brings us to the Chanrion hut (3160m).
Day 3
We ascend the long and never ending Otemma glacier to the impressively situated Vignettes hut (3160m).
Day 4
We climb the Pigne d’Arolla (3772m). This is the highest point of the trek with a stunning panoramic view all over the Alps, from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn and to the Bernese Oberland. We then descend to the village of Arolla. That night, we stay at the comfortable Hotel Kurhaus (2100m). This hotel is hidden in a magnificent forest of arolle pines with a view onto the Mont Collon.
Day 5
We walk along the flat valley which is dominated by the Mont Collon. From there, an ascending zigzagging path leads us to the Plans de Bertol (2664m) where we have a merited lunch break. Then, we go up to the Bertol hut (3268m) which is impressively perched on a rocky ridge accessed by ladders.
Day 6
This is the big day! From leaving the Bertol hut, we are at high altitude walking roped together. We cross the Mont Miné glacier to the Tête Blanche (3710m). Then, we descent the Stochji glacier. Along the way, we have stunning views of the Dent Blanche and the Matterhorn. Finally, a rocky scramble leads up to the Schonbiel hut (2694m), which is situated on a moraine shelf opposite the Matterhorn.
Day 7
We enjoy a leisurely 3-4 hours walk into Zermatt.

Generally, after having a drink and a meal most groups take a taxi back to Chamonix.

Note. This itinerary can be changed by the guide at anytime, depending on the weather, snow conditions and the safety of the group.

Level: To take part in one of these treks you should be able to walk for up to 6-8 hours a day carrying a moderately heavy rucksack. These treks are not very difficult technically speaking, but you do need to be roped together when crossing glaciers.

Per participant 650 Euros. Maximum guide/client ratio 1/6 . This trek will run with a minimum of 4 participants.Included in the trek fee:

Guiding and instruction from the IFMGA certified mountain guide.
Loan of climbing harness.

Not included:

Clients personal equipment
Accommodation in mountain huts and hotels.
Transport: there will be two taxi transfers. Champex-Mauvoisin and Zermatt-Chamonix. Cost of the transfers to be shared between participants.
Meals and drinks.
The guide’s accommodation and meals during the trek

Contact me for more details