We will spend 7 days climbing a few of the classic alpine climbs in the Swiss Alps. In the Bernese region of Switzerland you will start with the Monch and the Jungfrau, both moderate alpine objectives, yet still over 4,000 meters high and providing excellent opportunities to acclimatize. Once acclimated you will climb the Eiger via the Mittellegi Ridge, a spectacular yet moderate alpine rock climb. As a grand finish, you will head for the classic mountain of all mountains, the Matterhorn!

Taking a break high on the Hornli Ridge of the Matterhorn

NOTES:
• Alternative climbing itineraries are available for all of the European Alps with Canada West Mountain School guides. Please contact our office directly for more details on private dates and climbs in the Alps.
• Single-rooms available, surcharge applies

Please contact our office directly to discuss the prerequisites and to make sure you are properly prepared for these climbs

Group sizes on this climbing trip in Europe are kept small to increase the enjoyment of all members of the team. Climbing teams and Guide/Climber ratios will vary from climb to climb, with both the Eiger and the Matterhorn having a ratio of one climber per each guide (1:1).

Day 1 (July 15, 2007)
On the morning of the first day, the group will meet in the famous Alpine village of Grindelwald, at the base of the Eiger. Switzerland is well known for it's efficient rail service, so getting to Grindelwald is a very easy and relaxing train trip through the scenic Swiss countryside from virtually any city in the country. We will assist you with your travel plans and ensure you have all the correct passes in order to help you arrive in Grindelwald smoothly.

From Grindelwald, we will travel up by the steep mountain railway, or cog-rail, to the high village of Kleine Scheidegg at 2,000 meters. A quick transfer has us in the final cog-train for the steep and fascinating journey through the 16 km tunnel bored through the center of the Eiger and the Monch! This amazing tunnel ends at the Jungfraujoch, the 3,471 meter pass between the Monch and the Jungfrau.

A short (1 hour) walk across the Jungfraufirn leads to the Monchsjoch Hut at 3,657 meters from where we will base our first 2 climbs of the Monch (4,107 m) and the Jungfrau (4,158 m).

Day 2
Our first climbing day in the Alps is spent on the SE ridge of the Monch at 4,107 meters. This is a classic Alpine objective, offering spectacular views of the South side of the Eiger, the Jungfrau and down into Kleine Sheidegg and Grindelwald. The climbing is varied, with a perfect blend of snow, rock and finishing with an exhilarating and exposed knife-edge ridge to the final snow summit. The difficulties are not great, a perfect climb to warm up and acclimatize on.

The afternoon is spent reviewing snow, ice and rock climbing techniques and climbing systems in preparation for the following climbing objectives over the next few days. You will return to spend another relaxing night at the Monchs Hut.

Day 3
Now that the team is a bit more acclimatized they are ready for a longer day. The Jungfrau (4,158 m) is the highest peak in this region, and is also one of the most spectacular peaks - visible from all angles and very prominent from the valley floor, climbers have been attracted to this beautiful summit for generations. We will leave the hut early in the morning and cross the glacier in time to get onto the lower ice and snow slopes by sunrise. The route to the summit is a steep snow and ice climb, finishing up to the summit with a final exposed snow face.

After this climb you will descend back down to the Jungfraujoch station and catch the evening train back down to Kleine Scheidegg and spend the evening there.

Day 4
Up early to catch the cog-train towards the Jungfrau Station, only this time you will disembark at the Eisemeer Station, a portal in the East Face of the Eiger part way through the tunnel. From here you cross a short stretch of glacier, then onto the rock to climb the final few pitches up to the Mittellegi Hut, perched on the narrow knife-edged Mittellegi Ridge of the Eiger at 3,355 meters.

Day 5
Another Alpine start will have all the climbers beginning the climb of the Eiger via the Mittellegi Ridge, belaying right from the hut! The climb is long and rarely strays from the ridge crest directly to the summit of the Eiger. Descent is via the South Ridge and back across to the Jungfrau Station again. This descent is as challenging and time consuming as the ascent, making for a long day before you board the final train back down to Grindelwald to enjoy a relaxing meal while celebrating your climbs!

This evening you will stay in the village of Grindelwald.

Day 6
Back on the rails on day 6 you will leave Grindelwald and head for the southern region of Zermatt, a bustling resort town tucked into the high valley with one of the most recognized alpine views in the world - the Matterhorn. After a lunch in Zermatt, you will ride the lifts up to the alpine and then hike up to the Hornli Hut on the lower Hornli Ridge of the Matterhorn. After a hearty meal in the company of other Matterhorn Alpinists, you will get an early nights sleep in anticipation of an even earlier alpine start the next morning!

Day 7
The climb of the Matterhorn starts with a 2 am wake up, in time for tea and a small breakfast, then out the door by headlight to start on the 1,200 meter climb. Typically the teams will summit by 9 or 10 in the morning, and be back at the hut by 1-2 pm. After a rest, lunch and some tea, you will head down the mountain to Zermatt in time for an evening stroll through the town to take in the sights, followed by a very welcome meal in one of the many excellent eateries and restaurants that Zermatt has to offer.

You will stay at a local hotel in Zermatt this evening.

Day 8
You can plan on heading off from Zermatt to continue your travels, or join our guides for more climbs in the region.

• Boots - sturdy leather backpacking or light mountaineering boots (1 pr)
  
• Approach shoes - shoes for approaches and around huts (1 pr)
  
• Sleeping bag - good to minus 5 Celsius range (1)
• Backpack - internal frame, approx. 30-50 litres (1)
  
• Light weight hiking pants (1 pr)
  
• Hiking shorts (1 pr)
  
• Expedition style outer shell jacket with hood - Gore-Tex style (1)
  
• Full-zip outer shell pants (or bibs) - Gore-Tex style (1 pair)
  
• Thermal underwear - top and bottom, Poly-pro, Capilene, etc. (1 pr)
  
• Lightweight gaiters - optional, good for keeping scree and snow out of boots (1 pr)
  
• Gloves (medium weight) - wool or poly-pro (1 pr)
  
• Expedition style gloves w/removable liners (1 pr)
  
• Socks - synthetic, wool or wool blend (2-3 pr)
  
• Warm jacket - down, fleece or pile (1)
  
• Sweater or vest - wool, fleece or down (1)
  
• Toque/warm hat - wool or fleece (1)
  
• Hat with sun visor (baseball cap, etc) (1)
  
• Bandannas (1-2)
  
• Glacier style sunglasses with side shields and nose shield (1 pr)
  
• Headlamp with extra batteries
  
• Personal kit - (toothbrush, foot powder, skin cream, pee-bottle, etc.)
  
• Personal 1st aid
  
• Misc. personal items (camera, book, cards, journal, walkman, blister kit, medications, etc.)
  
• Water bottles/hydration system - minimum 2 litres
  
• Sunscreen and lip screen (min. 30 spf & waterproof)
  
• Collapsible ski/walking poles (1 pr)
  
• Short ice ax (supplied if needed)
• Climbing harness (supplied if needed)
• Climbing helmet (supplied if needed)
• Crampons
• Large duffel bag with lock (1)

When organizing your equipment, remember that the conditions in the mountains will vary from +30 and at lower elevations to possible lows of -15 degrees Celsius in the alpine. Outer clothing should be capable of venting, and you should be able to get in and out of it easily. Inner layers should be able to dry easily and retain warmth when damp.

Also, consider the travel portions if this trip in between the Alpine climbing objectives, you will need casual-wear clothes for this portion as well.

The trip will finish in Zermatt. As with Grindelwald, train and car transportation is very convenient, transfers are quick and efficient to any major city or airport in Switzerland, or onwards to Italy or France.

Our Staff will assist you in all your travel plans. Please call our office directly in order to get more info.

When you register, a pre-trip package of information will be sent to you, as well as follow-up discussions via phone and email to ensure you are well prepared for your Swiss Alpine climbing adventure!