Mountaineering Weekend on Monte Rosa
My First 4,000 Metres

Trip

2-day Beginner Mountaineering Weekend - Pyramid Vincent (4,215 m)

We will set off to explore the Monte Rosa massif, which, with its succession of peaks over 4,000 metres, offers an opportunity to learn mountaineering for those who are already familiar with the mountains. We will start with a first day of acclimatisation and trekking, where you will climb gently to an altitude of 3,400 metres to get a good night's sleep, followed by a superb day of mountaineering to climb the Pyramide Vincent.
 

Program

Program

DAY 1
STAFFAL - TREK - CITTA DI MONTOVA REFUGE 3,498m

Elevation gain: + 1,100  / - 50m approx. 8km

Meet the guide in the morning directly at Staffal, the last hamlet at the foot of Monte Rosa, opposite the Punta Indren cable car departure point, at 8:45 a.m. After a quick check of the equipment, we will take a 4x4 to the start of a trail at an altitude of 2300 metres. We will climb gently along a wild path where we are sure to encounter ibex. The setting is magnificent, with the Lys Glacier descending from peaks over 4000 metres high. We will arrive at the refuge fairly early and check the equipment to prepare for our summit attempt the following day. The guide will hold a briefing to explain the next day's schedule and options depending on the weather.

The Città di Mantova refuge is a superb high-altitude refuge with a dining room overlooking the glaciers at sunset. The dormitories and toilets are comfortable, with duvets for the beds. However, water is a scarce commodity, so there are no showers and the water is not drinkable, so you will need to buy it at the refuge. In addition, to prevent acute mountain sickness, it is essential to stay well hydrated and drink plenty of water regularly!
Dinner and overnight stay at the Città di Mantova refuge.

DAY 2
Città di Mantova refuge 3498m - Ascent of Pyramide Vincent (4,215m)

Elevation: + 770 m / - 1250m

We will set off early in the morning at sunrise.
We will put into practice the lessons learned the day before and climb the Indren glacier, which will take us to the foot of Pyramide Vincent, our goal for the day.

We will progress gradually, climbing above 4,000 metres. This will give us the opportunity to experience the unique sensations of high altitude, as our bodies adapt to continue the ascent. A spectacular panorama will unfold before our eyes, allowing us to admire the imposing peaks of the Monte Rosa massif.

To begin the return journey, we may consider stopping at the refuge to regain our strength. Finally, one last effort will be necessary to descend to Pointe Indren and reach the cable car that will take us back to Staffal.

In the summer of 2026, we will once again have to take a 4x4 to reach the valley as there is work being done on the ski lifts.

Equipment

TECHNICAL MOUNTAINEERING EQUIPMENT

• Mountaineering Goretex shoes suitable to crampons
• Crampons
• Walking poles
• Iceaxe
• Helmet

HOW TO DRESS for climbing at altitude

First layer on the skin:

• (merino wool) thermal/breathable long sleeve
• (merino wool) long thermal/breathable underwear
• woolen warm socks

Second layer:

• warm technical sweater
• waterproof & windproof hiking pants

Third layer:

• thin but warm down jacket

Last layer:

• waterproof & windproof Goretex jacket

Important Additionals:

• sleeping sheet for the hut
• warm winter hat
• buff/head-neckband
• warm winter gloves
• headlamp
• suncream (protection factor 50+)
• sunglasses
• phone

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

Technical Level : 3.5 / 5

EASY MOUNTAINEERING
You should be comfortable walking in the mountains and on varied terrain. Easy cramponing. Learning high mountain progression techniques for fairly easy routes.

Physical Level : 3.5 / 5

CONFIRMED COURSE
Effort corresponding to about 1000 - 1400 m of ascent in hiking per day.
You like endurance sports and do them about twice a week.

Useful infos

Useful information to prepare your mountain trip:

Meeting on the first day

Meeting with the mountain guide in Staffal (Gressoney) at the departure of the Gabiet cable car at 8.45 a.m. 

End of the trip

The programme ends on the second day between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm in Staffal (Gressoney).
 

Organisation:

The week before your departure, you will receive a reminder by email with all the information concerning the meeting and the Mountain 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.

Guiding

French and English speaking local UIAGM Mountain Guides of our team.

How to reach Aosta Valley

• Via Chamonix Mont Blanc – you can reach Chamonix by train from the main French airports or from Geneva airport – then you can reach Courmayeur – Aosta Valley through the Mont Blanc Tunnel (there are buses connections from Chamonix to Aosta Valley, but if you would like to be free to move it is advisable to rent a car).
• Via Geneva or Martigny – you can easily reach Martigny by train from Geneva airport - then you reach Aosta city center via the tunnel of Grand Saint Bernard (there are buses connections from Martigny to Aosta Valley, but if you would like to be free to move it is advisable to rent a car).
• Via Milan/Turin airport – rent a car directly to reach Aosta via the highway
  • Rent a car directly to reach Aosta via the motorway;
  • By train: https://www.trenitalia.com/trenitalia-france.html
• Or via Bourg Saint Maurice (73700, France) - Col du Petit Saint Bernard - you can reach Bourg Saint Maurice by train from the main French airports. Once in Bourg Saint Maurice you will need to rent a car to reach the Aosta Valley via the Col du Petit Saint Bernard (2 hours drive). It's a slightly longer trip but you can save the toll at the Mont Blanc Tunnel.

Public transports Aosta Valley

• Bus trasport from Chamonix to Courmayeur: https://aosta.arriva.it/line/courmayeur-chamonix/
• Bus trasport from Courmayeur to Aosta : https://aosta.arriva.it/en/line/aosta-courmayeur-2/
• Bus transport from Milan to Aosta: https://aosta.arriva.it/en/aosta-milano/
• Bus transport whithin the Aosta Region: https://aosta.arriva.it/en/timetables-and-routes/

Bus to the Gressoney Valley

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).

Accommodation in Staffal:

For those who wish to sleep in Staffal in the evening before meeting with the Guide we recommend the Walsertal Residence, a very nice and cozy hotel, two minutes from the cable car departure.

Food

• Half board at the refuge included 
• Lunch and drinks are at your own charge
• Before departure, remember to bring food / snacks for the ascent according to your own tastes (cereal bars, dried fruit, chocolate, etc.) 

Advice for hiring mountaineering boots:

Regarding mountaineering boots, here is the type of boots you should have: Scarpa Triolet GTX
You can rent them at Montura Store in Aosta, at the Pilier du Sport in Morgex (AO) or at Ravanel or Snell in Chamonix.

Insurance

Cancellation and repatriation insurance is mandatory, as well as a mountain search and rescue insurance (minimum cover of 10,000 Euros).

Esprit Montagne offers the following insurance: https://www.assurance-multi-sports.com. You must get the “impact evasion multirisque” insurance. Other insurance policies may not cover you as well, so read your insurance policy carefully.

Budget and currency

Italy is in the Eurozone, so the currency is the Euro (€).
The shelter has a credit card terminal, however, we strongly advise you to bring cash!
Be aware of the usual bank charges when purchasing goods or services with your credit card.

CAR SHARING

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.