Reach the summit of the beautiful Matterhorn (4478 m), one of the highest mountains in the Alps, together with an IFMGA Mountain Guide.
Alps
6 Days
Jun - Oct
Very high
Intermediate
At 4478 m, the Matterhorn is one the highest mountains the Alps, on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Reaching its summit is every climber's dream.
In fact, it is one of the most famous mountains in the world and has an awesome ridge line. There's an impressive view of it from the city of Zermatt.
The Hornli ridge to the summit is a wonderful route and it will be our chosen route on this 6-day trip.
Not everyone agrees about the best time to climb the Matterhorn. Ideally, the route has to be snow free to the shoulder. It should also have snow above the fixed ropes, in order to make the summit snow field easier to approach.
The best conditions can often be found by mid-June. However, there may be afternoon thunder showers and full-on storms that last a day or more. When temperatures are high after a snowfall, the route comes quickly back into shape.
On the other hand, in mid-summer, the huge amount of climbers on the route turn this adventure into a little bit of circus. To avoid this, my favourite weeks to climb this peak are early July and the last week of August through the first week of October.
During the first days of this trip, we will be climbing and acclimatizing in Zermatt. This will also give us the opportunity to pick the best time to hike towards the Hornli Hut and then climb Matterhorn the following day.
Please feel free to contact me if you want to join me for this ascent to this iconic mountain. I will guide you there with much pleasure!
You can also take a look at some of the other trips I organize, like the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt.
More info
You must have previous rock and ice climbing experience and be in very good shape. You should also be capable of comfortably climbing 5.7 on top rope.
Meeting point
5.0
(1)
Mountain Guide
I'm a Swiss trained, American born, mountain guide living in Verbier, Switzerland. I guide my clients backcountry skiing in winter and mountaineering in the summer. Many of my clients are repeat clients with whom I have been sharing experiences together for over 20 years.
I was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii. Helping my father break horses as soon as I could walk certainly helped me acquire a taste of adventure. I left the Hawaiian islands to attend JSC in northern Vermont and discovered winter. Majoring in Urban and Environmental planning increased my desire to explore the outdoors, and with the ski slopes of northern Vermont in my back yard, the addiction to winter skiing and ice climbing and summer rock climbing set in.
I moved to Verbier, Switzerland in 1983. Some of my climbing partners were local guides and encouraged me to enter the Swiss Mountain Guide’s Training program. I began my first course in the winter of ’91 and received my UIAGM status two and a half years later.
I'm passionate about my guiding and sharing these alpine and maritime experiences with my clients. Over the years, they have become very close friends and through mutual confidence, are able to extend their reach further and further into the mountains. My approach through cognitive behavioral coaching, heightens these shared experiences and enables us to enjoy all our life experiences to their fullest.
Languages
English
Certificates
IVBV | UIAGM | IFMGA
Dmitry
5
Thank you very much for recommending me as a guide Mr. Hans Solmssen. He is a highly qualified intelligent person. It was a real pleasure to climb with him and under his supervision.
Stay up-to-date on the best adventures.