Chamonix Zermatt - What to expect
1° Day
Arrival and meeting at Le Tour. Climb to the altitude with the lifts and along comfortable paths we reach the Albert I refuge. After having settled in, we will check the materials, adjust the crampons and do a review on the knots and on the climbing maneuvers on the glacier and crevasse rescue, to guarantee a Chamonix-Zermatt trek in maximum safety.
2° Day
Departure at first light to reach the Glacier du Tour and the Col of the same name, which will allow us to easily descend on the Glacier du Trient to the Cabane d'Orny.
3° Day
From the Cabane d'Orny we will go down to Champex also using a chairlift. Once in the village, we will take a taxi transfer to Mouvesin, where we will find impressive waterfalls that flow into Lake Mouvesin. We will then have to go up to the Cabane des Chanrion, a welcoming refuge where you can enjoy a good dinner. One of the places worth visiting along the Houte Route Chamonix-Zermatt.
4° Day
From the Cabane des Chanrion we will go up the long Otemma Glacier, which does not present particular difficulties, but shows signs of climate change. Once we reach the end of the glacier, we will climb to the Col de la Charmotaine and, shortly after, we will reach the Cabane des Vignettes. A refuge with a unique atmosphere, where we can enjoy a good Rosti!
5° Day
From the Cabane des Vignettes we will descend towards the valley, facing an up and down route. After completing the descent of the Glacier de Pièce, we will almost arrive at the village of Arolla. Subsequently, we will go up the valley of the "Bas Glacier d'Arolla" to reach another eagle's nest, the Cabane de Bertol. During this stage, we will also tackle sections of via ferrata and rock stairs, an exciting experience. A beer and the last rays of sun on the terrace will give us the energy to complete this part of Chamonix-Zermatt.
6° Day
From the Cabane de Bertol, today we will treat ourselves to a beautiful summit after having climbed yet another glacier: the Tête Blanche. The view will be magnificent, we will have reached the Matterhorn and Zermatt will be close, but not too close. To descend, we will have to navigate our way through a myriad of crevasses that seem insurmountable, including the Stockijglacer. However, we will also face this challenge to reach the Stockij rocks, where we will follow a path and easy climbing to get to the moraines. From there, we will face the last climb that will take us to the Shonbielhutte.
7° Day
The day will be entirely dedicated to the descent to Zermatt, following small roads and paths. We will arrive in Furi, from where we can comfortably go down by cable car. We have arrived in Zermatt! Afterwards, we will return to Le Tour by taxi, in a couple of hours. Will we be ready to say goodbye?