Monte Rosa Trek (4 days)

A 4-day trek from Täsch to Zermatt across alpine passes, glaciers and waking up on Swiss National Day in the world famous Monte Rosa hut.

The trek requires good physical fitness and a sure foot. Several parts of this hike are classified as an alpine trail (blue-white, T4) involving chains and a (marked) glacier crossing. You will need crampons or spikes for this hike. But no prior glacier travel experience is required.

Itinerary

Day 1: 1300m 0m 7km 4 hours
We take the train from Geneva to Täsch and hike via the Täschalp to the Täsch hut (2700m). Those with enough energy can do an optional hike to the Alphubel lake (450m, 2h round-trip).

Day 2: 800m 1200m 13km 6 hours
We leave the hut after breakfast and ascend the Pfulwe pass (3155m) with a short section protected by chains. We descend via the Berghaus Fluhalp where we can stop for some refreshments. We continue along the 5 lakes trail passing Grindjesee and Grünsee to arrive at the Mountain Lodge ze Seewjinu (2300m).

Day 3: 1300m 650m 13km 7 hours
We hike up to the Gornergratsee lake and will reach the impressive Gorner glacier either via Rotenboden or the (slightly longer) Gornergrat variant. Now it is time to put on our crampons to cross the glacier along some big crevasses and then continue along the new Panorama trail to reach the Monte Rosa hut (2882m).

Day 4: 350m 1600m 18km 8 hours
We retrace our steps from the previous day to reach Rotenboden and start the long descent to Zermatt. Along the way we will pass trough the glacier garden at Dossen, traverse a suspension bridge and potentially visit the Gorner gorge.

Equipment

• Usual hiking equipment including rain gear and warm layers
• Crampons and gloves (spikes like the Grivel Explorer, Camp Ice Master, etc. should be fine as well, please ask me if in doubt)
• Hiking poles (strongly recommended for those without crampon experience)
• Hut sleeping bag (“sac à viande”) and toiletries
• Minimum one picnic for the first day + snacks (extra picnics can also be bought in huts)
• Buy your one-way train ticket before departure
• Optional:
  • Demi-tarif and alpine club membership card if available
  • Bathing suit for the brave ones (there are many lakes on the way)
  • Sandals or flip-flops for the train ride can be comfy (otherwise huts provide slippers)
  • Thermos bottle (huts usually provide tea for the day in the morning)

Costs

• Train tickets: ~95 CHF with demi-tarif
• Ski Club tax: 20 CHF (60 CHF non-members)
• Huts (demi-pension):
  • Täsch: 93 CHF (81 CHF alpine club members)
  • ze Seewjinu: 125 CHF for 3-4 person room, 110 CHF for dormitory
  • Monte Rosa: 106 CHF (86 CHF alpine club members)

Signup

• Hike leader: Frank Winklmeier (scig@winklmeier.name), Assistant: Maica Trabanco
• Sign-up via email with the following information:
  • Full name
  • Mobile phone number
  • Are you a Ski Club (SCIG) member of the current 2023/24 season?
  • Are you a CAS (or other alpine club) member?
  • Do you have any dietary constraints for dinner at the huts?
  • If I don’t know you personally, what comparable hikes have you done and have you used crampons before?
  • Room preference for the ze Seewjinu hut

To secure your spot a deposit of CHF 150 is required by Saturday, 01 Jul 2023. Payment details will be communicated after sign-up. Some of the huts have strict cancellation conditions. If you cancel and your spot cannot be filled by someone else and if the huts enforce their rules, the following fees apply:

• Cancellation by July 26: 30 CHF
• Cancellation after July 26: 125 CHF

Transport

• Sat July 29 IR 8:29 Genève – 11:59 Täsch (via Visp)
• We meet on the platform towards the end of the train.
• Return via train from Zermatt on August 1st.