Bernese Oberland 4000s

Experience on PD/AD mountaineering routes, very good fitness, confidence leading or seconding grade II–III rock and crampon technique on slopes of around 45° are required.

Long Alpine days require strong endurance. Altitude, successive days of activity, wind and low temperatures can increase fatigue and difficulty. Read the full programme and ask us if you are unsure about the required level.

Prepare with endurance exercise and mountain walks, using a loaded backpack and the boots and equipment intended for the trip. Break in new boots beforehand. Previous long mountain days, ideally including a 3,000 m summit in the Pyrenees, are useful preparation. You must be comfortable with exposed terrain and heights. An assessment outing with one of our guides can help confirm whether the route suits you.

Included

• High mountain guide fees for five days.
• Mountain hut booking arrangements.
• Shared safety equipment, including ropes and anchoring systems.
• Technical equipment from the general information list that you do not own.
• Local transfers to the activity starting points.

Not included

• Your accommodation and meal expenses.
• Cable cars or trains used to access the mountains.
• The guide’s accommodation, hut meals and cable-car expenses.
• Allow €500 per person for these expenses.

Clothing and equipment

Clothing

• Gore-Tex or equivalent waterproof jacket and overtrousers.
• Technical mountain trousers in Schoeller fabric or equivalent.
• Fleece or softshell jacket.
• Thermal base layer and a spare.
• Thin and thick socks, plus spares.
• Gloves and a spare pair.
• Warm hat, sun cap, sunglasses and ski goggles.
• Headtorch with spare batteries and, if needed, a spare bulb.
• Sun protection for face and lips, and after-sun lotion.

Technical equipment

• Harness and 2 HMS locking carabiners.
• Ice axe and crampons with anti-balling plates.
• Telescopic ski poles.
• Helmet.
• 45–60 litre backpack.
• Water bottle of at least 1.5 litres and electrolyte salts.

Footwear

• Rigid-soled mountaineering boots and gaiters.

Personal first-aid kit

• Pain relief medication.
• Anti-inflammatory medication.
• Anti-diarrhoeal medication.
• Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory ointment.
• Antiseptic.
• Gauze, medical tape, plasters and bandages.
• Mineral salts for drinking water.
• Sunscreen.
• Lip protection.
• If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses during the activity, bring a suitable way to prevent losing them.

PirineoSur.es can provide

• Any technical equipment on the list that you do not own and request in advance.

Bernese Oberland mountaineering itinerary

Day 0: Meet from 18:00 at Place de l’Église in Chamonix. Guide briefing, questions, backpack preparation and dinner independently.

Day 1: Travel from Chamonix to Grindelwald and take the train into the Bernese Oberland. Climb Mönch (4,107 m) by the east ridge, 650 m, PD / II, then descend the narrow ridges to Mönchsjoch hut (3,629 m) for the night.

Day 2: Mönchsjoch hut – Jungfrau (4,158 m) via Rottalsattel, 800 m, PD, 45°, II – Konkordia hut. Descend onto the Aletsch Glacier, described in the programme as 23 km long and 1 km wide, then climb via Rottalsporn and Rottalsattel to the summit snow slopes. Descend and follow the glacier to Konkordia hut for the night.

Day 3: Konkordia – Gross Grünhorn (4,043 m), PD+, 1,400 m – Finsteraarhorn hut. Ascend the Grüneggfirn, turn east towards Grünegghorn and follow the rock ridge to the summit. Return by the same route, then cross Grünhornlücke to the hut. Overnight at Finsteraarhorn hut.

Day 4: Finsteraarhorn (4,274 m), PD+, 1,250 m. From the hut, climb first on dry terrain, then on the glacier to Hugisattel. A generally sound rock ridge leads to the highest summit in the Bernese Oberland. Return to Finsteraarhorn hut for the night.

Day 5: Descend via the Fiescher Glacier to Fieschertal. Train and postbus connections return us to Grindelwald, then travel by car to Chamonix. End of the activity.

Ask us for the detailed information sheet.

Further information

Level 3 Alpine programme

This progressive programme combines guided mountain routes with technical coaching, helping you improve your skills and make the most of your time in the Alps. Acclimatisation and preparation are built into the itinerary.

Mountain experience, good fitness and familiarity with technical equipment are required. Previous experience on an Alpine 4,000-metre peak provides a useful foundation. Ask us about preparation courses.

Your guide

Participants must have the physical and technical ability to move independently under the guide’s supervision. One high mountain guide accompanies one or two participants, knows the route and gives daily instructions according to conditions and safety considerations.

PirineoSur works with highly qualified professionals with extensive mountain experience and more than 30 years of professional activity in the Alps. They hold the qualifications required in Alpine countries including France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.

Guided mountaineering helps manage the risks and makes it easier to enjoy your trip, but no mountain activity is entirely risk-free.