Matterhorn & Eiger Cimetta

Bernese Oberland Glacier Trek

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7 days (Interlaken)

Destinations visited: Switzerland, Interlaken, World

Grading:

Entry level Mountaineering/Exploratory Trek

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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Classic glacier hike into arguably the most spectacular mountains in the Alps

This glacier tour is more than just a high mountain trek. It's an expedition into the heart of 'post card perfect' traditional Switzerland, its verdant valleys and cobalt lakes, a setting dominated by 4000m peaks. We will cross this fantastic Oberland massif from east to west, learning the basic mountaineering skills required to enjoy this marvellous high mountain world of snow, rock and glaciers. This is really an amazing tour-de-force introducing you to the heart of the largest glacial ensemble in the Alps. Once in the centre of the Konkordiaplatz it is difficult not to be overwhelmed by the quasi-Himalayan dimension of the surrounding peaks and snowy expanses. From this sea of ice, the Aletsch glacier, runs a magnificent 22km ice river, the largest in Europe. We will cross a glacial col every day opening our eyes to new panoramic sights and new summits, each inspiring a desire to one day, return to visit them all!

Highlights

Traverse the massive Konkordiaplatz Glacier
Accommodated in comfortable mountain huts
Exhilarating trekking in the Swiss Alps
Climb the Petersgrat (3126m)
Opportunity to ascend to the summit of the Ebnefluh (3962m)

Itinerary

Day 1 Join Interlaken. Hike to Grimsel Pass

Meet at the railway station in Interlaken Ost at 1pm, for a briefing of the week ahead plus gear check. From the Grimsel Pass, we will walk for approximately 1.5 hours to reach our designated inn situated on the shore of Lake Oberaar, with the Oberaarjoch glacier and pass as its backdrop. Along the way we will marvel at the Aar glacier, the third biggest in the Alps, dominated by the faces of Finsteraarhorn, the Lauteraarhorn and the Schreckhorn. The Grimsel region also has one of the largest hydroelectric resources in the Swiss Alps. Approx walking altitude: +1095m / -372m

Day 2 To Oberaarjochhütte refuge

Ascent to the Oberaarjochhütte (3258m) bordering the Oberaarsee, and then up the Oberaar glacier. Cross the Oberaar pass at 3231m, and arrive at the Oberaarjoch hut situated on the col. If we have the time and the energy, there is the possibility of an easy climb to the summit of the Oberaarhorn. Approx walking time / altitude: 5-6 hours; +1100m

Day 3 To Konkordia Hütte

Descent of the Galmihorngletsher to rejoin the Rotloch, at the intersection with the Fiesch glacier. We will then re-ascend this immense river of ice heading towards the Grünhornlücke at 3286m. This little pass allows us to pass onto the Grüneggfirn glacier descending to the Konkordiaplatz. The view of the Finsterhaarhorn to the east and the glacial immensity to the west is striking, and puts the size of these alpine giants into perspective. Descend to the Konkordia hut (2850m) with the scaling of metallic steps anchored into the cliff. At each landing, a sign indicates the era during which the glacier reached that particular point. The decent is unbelievable! Approx walking time / altitude: 5-6 hours; +480m / -400m

Day 4 To Hollandia Hütte

Today we will cross the snow covered immensity of the Konkordiaplatz, the meeting point of all the glaciers giving birth to the Aletsch glacier. Beneath our feet lies 1000m of ice, a point where a million cubic metres of ice passes by each year. Then we will traverse 7km to the Hollandia refuge located on the Lötschenlücke. Enjoy the beautiful view of the Fafleralp valley from the refuge. Approx walking time / altitude: 5-6 hours; +400m

Day 5 To Fafleralp

An easy and optional ascent of the Ebnefluh (3962m) via gentle snow slopes, with stunning views of the entire mountain range. Descend via the same route to the Hollandia hut, and then to Fafleralp (1788m) at the foot of the impressive north faces. Then onto the Langg glacier, and across fields and prairies via a very pretty little path. Overnight in dormitories at a hostel. Approx walking time / altitude: 6-8 hours; +730m / -2100m

Day 6 To Mutthorn Hütte

Today we will hike the glacier route with an ascent of the Petersgrat (3126m), a strange glacial dome bordering between two valleys. Afterwards we will descend to the Mutthorn hut (2898m). Approx walking time / altitude: 5-7 hours; +1320m

Day 7 To Stechelberg. Return to Interlaken where trip concludes.

Today is the last day of this fantastic journey to the heart of the largest glacial ensemble in the Alps. We will descend via the Tschingelfirn to the valley of Stechelberg and to the village of the same name. Transfer to Interlaken where trip concludes. Approx walking time / altitude: 4-5 hours; -2000m

Additional Information

Inclusions

6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
6 nights in mountain huts/refuges
Certified UIAGM high altitude mountain guide (ratio of 4-8 participants per guide)
All common climbing gear (ropes, carabiners etc)
Internal transport

Summary

7 day trek/mountaineering
6 nights mountain huts/refuges

Trip Main Activities

Mountaineering
Trekking

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

Whilst we strongly recommend you bringing your own climbing equipment and clothing, there is a considerable range of gear available for hire in Interlaken. This may suit you better if you are travelling on elsewhere and want to keep your baggage to a minimum. Please contact Vertical Sport for more information in gear hire in Interlaken - http://www.verticalsport.ch/ Personal clothing and equipment is not included in the trip cost. This would include warm layers and waterproof clothing, and clothing for both hot and cold conditions. You will need to take or hire climbing equipment including ice axe, crampons, harness with belay device, leather mountaineering boots & helmet. A sleeping bag is NOT required. Our Pre-departure information document for this trip details all clothing and equipment required for the trip and will be provided on booking your place.

What You Carry

Because you will be carrying all your own equipment plus a share of food for yourself and guide, it is essential to keep the weight down. A heavy rucksack will diminish your pleasure and make the climbing a struggle; especially day after day. The rucksack should be about 45 litres maximum. Everything should be pared down to the bare essentials with a change of clothes in case you get soaked. No cotton clothing should be taken as it dries slowly and does not keep you warm when wet. Inside the huts footwear is provided. Boots should accept step-in crampons and be warm enough for hiking in snow. There are many good models out there. Wear two pairs of socks and road-test them well before the trip. Make sure that the crampons are correctly adjusted to the boots. Your guide will check and make recommendations while in Interlaken, and because we are commencing and returning to Interlaken any extra gear can be stored.

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USD$2,290

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