The lightest 4000
It goes high for high altitude touring beginners
Breithorn (4,165 m), Strahlhorn (4,190 m), Allalinhorn (4,027 m), Bishorn (4,153 m) and Alphubel (4,206 m) are considered technically easy 4000-metre peaks. Nevertheless, the normal routes are anything but boring "glacier hikes". Even the Valais Breithorn surprises with a bold summit ridge and fantastic views. On the Allalinhorn, wild glacier crevasses are impressive, the Alphubel, like the Bishorn, offers serious high-altitude touring ambience and the Strahlhorn is one of the four-thousand-metre classics.
To reach the respective summits, you not only need to be in good physical condition for up to five hours of climbing and be suitably acclimatized, but above all you need an appropriate pace, good weekly planning and the right timing on day X to reach the day's goal as effectively as possible and with minimal risk, taking into account the day's temperature and other factors. The panorama from the individual peaks is simply phenomenal and a fair reward for the effort.
Do you want more information about the requirements for your 4000 m tour?
Then visit the vivalpin.blog!
Here are our recommendations for more great alpine tours!
Fit on the glacier and on high altitude tours
Grossglockner high tour course
Program and schedule
- State-certified mountain guide
- Hut reservation
- Edelrid mountaineering equipment with crampons, ice axe, helmet, climbing harness
- Online training (1 h)
- Course documents
Additional costs
- Hotel accommodation with half board (paid on site)
- Costs mountain railroads
- Snacks, drinks
- Arrival, possibly parking fees
Day 1: Meeting points in Saas Grund, repetition of crampon technique on the Trift glacier.
2nd day: Ascent of the Allalinhorn (4,027 m) via the normal route from Mittelallalin.
Day 3: Depending on conditions Strahlhorn (4,190 m) or change of hut or hut ascent.
Day 4-5: Depending on the weather and conditions, ascent of Breithorn (4,165 m), Bishorn (4,154 m) or Alphubel (4,206 m).
Day 6: Reserve day, journey home.
Note on program changes:
All courses and guided tours are conscientiously organized and carried out in accordance with the safety standards of the Vivalpin Mountain and Ski School with qualified specialists (e.g. mountain and ski guides, mountain hiking guides, etc.). The provisional tour program may be adjusted for safety-related reasons, such as bad weather, dangerous conditions, unforeseen natural events or inadequate conditions of the participants. The final program will be decided by the guide on site.
- Up to 1,500 m ascent and 1,900 m ascent in descent
- Condition for up to 6 h ascent
- Surefootedness and A head for heights
- Mountain Experience, Experience in walking with crampons or ice course
- see also on our blog: Preparation for high and four-thousand-meter tours
"For many people, the easy four-thousand-metre peaks are their introduction to the world of alpine tours. You can prepare yourself well by improving your fitness, testing your equipment extensively beforehand, especially your boots, and above all by arriving a few days in advance and acclimatizing.
On all summit ascents, you are well secured to your mountain guide's rope and will quickly get used to walking with crampons."
Moni Hümmer
State-certified mountain and ski guide
since 2020 with VIVALPIN