Matterhorn Climber – Sample Programme

The programme below gives an example of how your five-day Matterhorn Climber course may run. Throughout the week, you'll enjoy some fantastic Alpine climbing, developing your scrambling, rock climbing and ropework skills on exciting mountain ridges before putting them into practice on a challenging 4000m summit attempt.

Every week is tailored to the experience and ability of the group, with your ISM Guide choosing suitable climbs according to the weather, mountain conditions and your progress.

Sunday Evening – Welcome & Course Briefing

We meet at 6.45pm at Hotel PlanB in Le Fayet, Saint-Gervais, where you'll meet your ISM Guide and fellow climber.

We'll discuss your previous mountain experience, your Matterhorn ambitions and what you'd like to achieve during the week. We'll also check equipment, answer any questions and plan the climbing ahead.

Monday – Alpine Rock Climbing & Scrambling, Chamonix

Our first day takes us into the beautiful Aiguilles Rouges, above Chamonix, for an exciting introduction to Alpine rock climbing and scrambling, with the spectacular backdrop of Mont Blanc and the surrounding massif.

Working closely with your ISM Guide, we'll focus on developing confident movement in mountain boots, improving your scrambling and climbing techniques and practising the essential ropework needed for longer, more exposed Alpine ridges.

Throughout the day, your Guide will get to know your experience and ability, offering individual coaching and helping you develop the skills we'll build upon during the rest of the week.

We return to Hotel PlanB in Le Fayet for a second night.

Tuesday – Perrons Traverse, Alpine Rock Ridge Climbing

Today we head towards the head of the Chamonix Valley and the spectacular Perrons Traverse, high above the Emosson Dam.

This is a fantastic Alpine rock ridge adventure, combining sustained scrambling, easy rock climbing, exposed sections and a variety of interesting climbing and descending challenges.

Building on Monday's training, you'll put your skills into practice on a longer and more committing mountain route. We'll focus on efficient movement in mountain boots, short roping, route finding, downclimbing, lowering and abseiling, all important skills for a future Matterhorn ascent.

The Perrons is also an excellent opportunity to experience the demands of a longer mountain day, developing stamina, concentration and confidence on exposed terrain.

After a rewarding day in the mountains, we return to Hotel PlanB for our third night.

Wednesday – Saas Valley & Almageller Hut

Following our previous two days of climbing, today offers a welcome change of pace as we travel into Switzerland and the beautiful Saas Valley.

From Saas-Almagell, we'll make our way up to the Almageller Hut (2,894m), enjoying a steady approach through spectacular mountain scenery beneath the surrounding peaks.

The afternoon provides time to relax, recover and prepare for our 4000m summit objective. We'll discuss the route, refresh any necessary skills and talk through the physical and technical challenges of the following day's climb.

We spend the first of two nights at the Almageller Hut, enjoying the atmosphere of a traditional high Alpine mountain hut.

Thursday – Weissmies South Ridge (4,017m)

Today brings one of the highlights of the week: an attempt to climb the magnificent Weissmies (4,017m) by its South Ridge.

After an early Alpine start, we'll make our way towards the ridge, enjoying sustained scrambling and easy climbing on rocky terrain before reaching the final snow ridge leading towards the summit.

The ascent provides excellent preparation for the Matterhorn, combining movement in mountain boots, exposed scrambling, route finding and the physical demands of climbing at altitude.

Reaching a 4000m Alpine summit is a fantastic achievement in its own right, with spectacular views across the surrounding Swiss Alps.

But our day doesn't finish at the summit. We'll descend carefully by the same route, putting particular emphasis on efficient downclimbing, ropework, concentration and maintaining a steady pace when tired.

This is an important part of your Matterhorn preparation, helping you understand the demands of a long Alpine ascent and descent, and how you respond physically and technically at altitude.

We return to the Almageller Hut for a well-earned rest and our second night in the mountains.

Friday – Dri Hörnli, Alpine Rock Ridge Climbing

For our final climbing day, we head onto Dri Hörnli, close to the Almageller Hut, for another enjoyable Alpine rock ridge adventure.

After the physical challenge of the Weissmies, today offers an opportunity to consolidate the skills developed throughout the week, with further scrambling, climbing in mountain boots, route finding and descending on rocky terrain.

Working closely with your ISM Guide, you'll have the chance to reflect on your progress, ask questions and receive valuable feedback about your climbing ability, mountain fitness and any further preparation that may help towards your Matterhorn ambition.

After our climb, we'll descend to the valley and travel back to Hotel PlanB in Le Fayet, where we'll spend our final night.

Saturday Morning – Departure

Breakfast at the hotel is included before departure.

A Flexible Mountain Programme

This is a sample programme, and the order of climbs, choice of routes and timing of our 4000m summit attempt may change depending on weather, mountain conditions and the experience and ability of the group.

Your ISM Guide will carefully assess conditions and your progress throughout the week, choosing suitable objectives that provide the best opportunities for learning, developing confidence and enjoying some fantastic Alpine climbing.

Our aim is to give you a rewarding and memorable week in the mountains, helping you develop the skills, experience and understanding needed for a future Matterhorn ascent.

The better prepared you are, the more you'll be able to contribute to your own ascent, enjoy the climbing and appreciate the achievement.