Monte Rosa Massif
Climb of Castor 4226 mt.
Technical lev. : 4 / 5
MOUNTAINEERING INITIATION
Maximum 3 depending on the course and mountain conditions.
You should be comfortable in mountain walking and varied terrain. Easy crampons walking on glacier.
If you have already done a glacier hike it is better but it is not mandatory: if you have good shape and good mental handling, you should have no problem.
Learning of hiking progression in High Mountain, for rather easy races and easy rescue techniques.
Example of level: an easy 4000, such as Gran Paradiso (4061 mt) - Gran Paradiso National Park
Physical lev. : 4 / 5
For trained sporty people. Effort corresponding to approximately 1200 - 1700m of elevation gain in trekking.
For mountaineering: even if the vertical drop is less significant, staying at high altitude for several days will have a significant effect on your usual physical performance.
You will admire the whole Breithorn group, the Matterhorn, the Gran Combin, the Mont Blanc chain, the Gran Paradiso and the nearest Western and Eastern Lyskamm as well as the main peaks of Monte Rosa with Punta Dufour and Nordend, Punta Gnifetti, Punta Parrot and Pyramide Vincent: in short, an incomparable show!
Dates & Prices
Arrival
End
Price *
Status
Du 27/07/2024 au 28/07/2024
au 28/07/2024
610 €
FULL
Du 05/08/2024 au 06/08/2024
au 06/08/2024
610 €
CLOSED
Du 17/08/2024 au 18/08/2024
au 18/08/2024
610 €
CLOSED
Du 02/09/2024 au 03/09/2024
au 03/09/2024
610 €
Bookings in progress / 3 place(s) left
* Price per person (without insurance)
Trip
One of the twin names coming from the classic mythology symbolizing friendship: Castor&Pollux are two beautiful twin peaks bounded by their eternal closeness. The climb to the Castor peak will allow you to enjoy some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Alps, between Italy and Switzerland.
The climb do not present any special technical difficulties and the small ridges to be crossed along the route are funny and the summit will reward you with a great the panorama: you will admire the whole Breithorn group, the Matterhorn, the Gran Combin, the Mont Blanc chain, the Gran Paradiso and the nearest Western and Eastern Lyskamm as well as the main peaks of Monte Rosa with Punta Dufour and Nordend, Punta Gnifetti, Punta Parrot and Pyramide Vincent: in short, an incomparable show that will reward all your efforts! To the north, the panorama opens on the Swiss mountains of Valais, while on the south you can see Monviso (Piedmont).
Castor (4,226 mt) and Pollux (4084) together form the Twin Massif. They can be reached either from the west side or from the southeast side, starting respectively from Cervinia or Gressoney.
Program
Vertical drop and length: + 850 metres and about 3 to 4 hours of climbing.
Meeting with the mountain guide at 9:00 am in Staffal, Gressoney. After a short material check, you will take the cable car to reach the Colle di Bettaforca. It will then take you about three hours walk to reach Rifugio Quintino Sella, where you will dine and sleep.
Vertical drop and length of time: +640 m; -1500 m and about 2.5 hours uphill; 4/5 hours downhill
After a good breakfast, you will begin your climb up the Felik Glacier, heading north towards Punta Perazzi, reaching therefore Felik Pass. After that, the climb to the top of Punta Felik begins and from there on you will follow the route going up and down on a funny ridge ,to finally get to the top of Castor. The descent will be along the same ascent route.
You will get back at Rifugio Quintino Sella around lunch time: you can rest for a moment and have a pasta and then start your descent to Bettaforca Pass, where you will take the cable car again to go back to Staffal, Gressoney.
Materiel
First layer on the skin:
Second layer:
Third layer:
Last layer:
Important Additionals:
If you have any doubts or simply need clarification on what gear to take for your climb, you can take a look at our Blog page "What gear for mountaineering?"
N.B. Consider a change for when you are back to the hut (you can leave some stuff at the hut).
IMPORTANT: if a person is not properly equipped and dressed, the mountain guide may decide not to allow him/her to take part in the climb. We ask you to read carefully the equipment list provided in the programme PDF and to call us if you have any doubts.
Level
Well-trained mountaineers of an average level, in search of new perspectives. You will need to have a good level of fitness, good sense of balance and the ability to walk on rough terrain.
It is necessary to have a resistance to about 5/8 hours of walking a day and a good acclimatization to the high altitude as you will be staying at above 3500 mt. It would be advisable for you to properly train and to climb a 4000 peak at least once before leaving for this Tour.
Useful Info
Meeting with the mountain guide in Staffal (Gressoney) at the departure of the Gabiet cable car at 9:00 a.m.
The programme ends on the second day between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm in Staffal (Gressoney).
The week before your departure, you will receive a reminder by email with all the information concerning the meeting and the guide in charge of your group.
Esprit Montagne / Esprit des Guides SA takes care of the hut reservation, you do not need to think about it.
French and English speaking local UIAGM mountain guide from our team.
The departure point of the bus for the Gressoney Valley is at the train station in the village of Pont Saint Martin.
For the bus timetable: https://www.vitagroup.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/estivo-gressoney-2022.pdf
If you are coming only for the climb, we can organize you a taxi to pick you up or the mountain guide can come to pick you up on the road nearby Aosta (organization upon booking).
For those who wish to sleep in Staffal in the evening before returning to the Guide we recommend the Walsertal Residence, a very nice and cozy hotel, two minutes from the cable car departure.
You can rent equipment at Ermanno Sport in Staffal, directly at the departure of the cable car: remember to contact the shop in advance to book your equipment.
Regarding mountaineering boots, here is the type of boots you should have: Scarpa Triolet GTX
You can rent them at Gal Sport in Aosta or at Ravanel or Snell in Chamonix.
Cancellation and repatriation insurance is mandatory, as is mountain search and rescue insurance (minimum cover of 10,000 Euros).
Esprit Montagne offers the following insurance: https://www.assurance-multi-sports.com.
When you register online, you can choose whether or not you wish to take part in the car-sharing scheme to get to the starting point of your course. Once you have made your booking, you can log back into your Esprit Montagne account to access a section dedicated to carpooling. Here you will find the contacts of the other participants who are interested in car-sharing, so that you can contact them directly.
. The guiding of an experienced UIAGM mountain guide of our team, plus his/her accommodation and meal expenses;
. The use of equipment for the group (ropes, pitons, karabiners);
. Cable car tickets from Gressoney to Col di Bettaforca for yourself;
. Half board to the hut for yourself and the guide.
. Personal technical equipment: crampons, harness and ice axe rental in case of need (it can be organized upon booking);
. Lunches, snacks and drinks for your self and the guide, in order to allow you to eat what you prefer;
. All what is not explicitly mentioned in "The price includes".
Photo gallery
Any question?
Contact usYou will also love
5 days
2100
3 days & 2 nights
1680
4 days & 4 nights
1000
2 days & 1 Nights
510
2 days
250
2 days
520
2 days & 1 night
490
4 days & 3 nights
980
4 days & 3 nights or 5 days & 4 nights
1650
3 days and 2 nights
1250
2 days
810
2 days
810
3 days & 2 nights
1280
2 days & 1 night
970
3 days & 2 nights
660
4 days & 3 nights
1050
Esprit Montagne also proposes you many other 4000m summits in the Aosta Valley like :
The Gran Paradiso at 4061 m which is located in the Valsavarenche valley.
The Punta Gnifetti and the Punta Giordani which are in the Gressoney valley like the Castor.
You can realize a Trek with mountaineering by realizing summits at 4000 meters during the Tour of Monte Rosa or during Trek in the Gran Paradiso.
The ascent of Monte Rosa is, for mountaineering enthusiasts, one of the most beautiful mountain adventures to accomplish. Located in the Pennine Alps, Monte Rosa is the highest point in Switzerland with a height of 4,634 meters. The traverse of Mount Rose offers spectacular views of the Alps and the glaciers that surround the summit. It is essential to have a strong mountaineering background and a very good physical preparation. It is recommended to practice running and endurance sports regularly before doing this program.
The summit of Mount Rose is done with the supervision of a guide who will guide you throughout the organization of the ascent. Think of taking technical equipment that will offer you support in your personal expenses!
Discover our programs around the Monte Rosa massif!
Climbing the Lyskamm Nose is an unforgettable adventure that offers panoramic views of the Italian and Swiss Alps. It is one of the largest glacial areas in the Alps. The ascent of the Lyskamm nose requires a demanding technical and physical level, requires insurance and technical equipment on several hours of walking per day with a High Mountain Guide!
Come and discover this magnificent two day program!
The Tour du Mont Rose is one of the most beautiful treks in the Alps for a group or a private group. It is possible to make a summit during the trip, you can see some links of possible ascents to compare with the level of the participants: call us to have more information on these possibilities!
The Giuseppe Gnifetti Refuge is an ideal starting point for ascents of Monte Rosa. Located at 4554 m above sea level, it offers easy access to the most difficult routes to reach the summit of Monte Rosa. It is well equipped and can accommodate up to 80 people. Once inside, hikers can enjoy drinks and hot meals, rest and most importantly, prepare for the climb!
