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Activities

Climb to Castore Peak (Group Hike)

Level: 3
Season: Summer
Duration: 2 days
Participants: Max 3

My goal

Two days on Monte Rosa with an IFMGA Mountain Guide and an overnight stay at Rifugio Quintino Sella.

We’ll climb Castore as a roped team formed with each participant’s experience, fitness and pace in mind. This climb is for those who already have some mountaineering experience and want to progress on a route combining glacier travel and a summit ridge.

You can sign up on your own: before confirming your place, we’ll discuss whether this climb is suitable for you and whether the group is a good match.

Where we’ll go

We’ll start from Staffal, in Gressoney, and take the lifts to Colle Bettaforca. From there, we’ll climb to Rifugio Quintino Sella, where we’ll spend the night.

The following day, we’ll cross the Ghiacciaio del Felik as a roped team and follow the ridge to the summit of Castore, at 4,226 metres. We’ll return along the same route, passing through the hut before descending to Staffal.

What it requires

You must have previous experience using crampons and walking as part of a roped team on a glacier. You’ll need good fitness, sure footing and the ability to stay focused on exposed sections, including during the descent.

The final ridge is narrow and exposed: you need to feel comfortable on this terrain and keep enough energy for the return. Before you join the team, we’ll assess your experience and fitness to bring together participants with similar abilities.

How you’ll be guided

An IFMGA Mountain Guide will accompany the group on both days, check equipment and manage the pace, roped team and route choice.

We’ll move at the pace of the slowest participant, ascending and returning together. Fatigue, illness or mountain conditions may require a change of plan or an early return for the whole group.

Group Hike  € 550,00 / person

The departure will be confirmed once 3 participants have signed up.

The price includes

  • An IFMGA Mountain Guide for 2 days.
  • Half board at Rifugio Quintino Sella for you and the guide.
  • Return lift pass to Colle Bettaforca.
  • Technical equipment: crampons, climbing harness and ice axe.

The price does not include

Personal accident insurance, meals not specified and anything not listed under “The price includes”.

Day 1 — Ascent to Rifugio Quintino Sella

We’ll meet our IFMGA Mountain Guide in Staffal, Gressoney, at 1 pm. After checking equipment and handing out the technical gear, we’ll take the lifts to Colle Bettaforca.

From there, we’ll begin the ascent to Rifugio Quintino Sella. We’ll follow a trail over rocky terrain and, towards the end, a ridge section equipped with fixed aids that requires care and sure footing.

We’ll reach the hut in the afternoon and prepare our equipment together for the following day’s climb.

Dinner and overnight stay at Rifugio Quintino Sella, 3,585 metres.

Walking time: approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Day 2 — Ascent of Castore and return to Staffal

We’ll set off at dawn and cross the Ghiacciaio del Felik as a roped team. The route will become progressively steeper as we approach Colle del Felik, where we’ll continue towards the final ridge.

We’ll follow this section using crampons and an ice axe, moving with careful foot placement and a steady pace. The narrow, exposed ridge will lead us to the summit of Castore, at 4,226 metres, if mountain conditions and the group’s fitness allow.

We’ll descend along the same route to Rifugio Quintino Sella and continue towards Colle Bettaforca. We’ll take the lifts back to Staffal in the afternoon.

Elevation gain: approximately 640 metres from the hut to the summit.
Ascent time: approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes from the hut, depending on conditions and the pace of the roped team.

For the ascent of Castore, you’ll need:

  • mountaineering clothing suitable for high altitude and changing conditions
  • mountaineering boots
  • a 30–35-litre backpack
  • sunglasses with category 3 or 4 protection
  • warm gloves
  • a headlamp
  • SPF 50+ sunscreen
  • protective lip balm
  • a sleeping bag liner for the hut

We provide crampons, a climbing harness and an ice axe, all included in the price. If you have your own equipment, we recommend bringing it: you’ll be using gear you know and are comfortable with.

After booking, we’ll send you a complete, detailed equipment list, with guidance on clothing, technical gear and accessories to bring. This will help you pack for the itinerary and the conditions expected on the climb. In the meantime, you can read our guide to mountaineering equipment on Monte Rosa.

Group activities

On group trips, we move at the pace of the slowest participant. If anyone becomes fatigued or unwell, the guide may adapt the itinerary or decide to return early. In the mountains, we ascend and return together.

Mountaineering, ski touring, off-piste skiing and trekking take place in a natural, uncontrolled environment.
Weather conditions, snow, ice, terrain, visibility, altitude and physical fatigue can change rapidly and directly affect the course of the activity. For this reason, there is always an inherent level of objective risk, which cannot be eliminated but only managed.

All our activities are led by IFMGA Mountain Guides and Certified Hiking Guides (AMM).
The guide continuously assesses environmental conditions and the physical and mental state of participants, sets an appropriate pace, manages progression and ensures the correct use of equipment. If conditions require it, the guide may modify the itinerary or interrupt the activity, always in the interest of individual and group safety.

Participants are required to be in good physical and mental condition, adequately prepared for the level of the activity, and to follow the guide’s instructions at all times.

Group activities

During group outings, the pace is set according to the slowest participant. In case of fatigue or discomfort, the guide may decide to adjust the programme or return early. In the mountains, the group ascends and returns together.

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FAQ #1 – Can I sign up on my own?

Yes. Before confirming your place, we’ll assess your mountaineering experience and fitness to form a roped team with participants of similar abilities and pace.

FAQ #2 – What experience do I need?

You must have previous experience using crampons and walking as part of a roped team on a glacier. The final ridge is narrow and exposed: you’ll need sure footing, concentration and confidence on exposed terrain.

FAQ #3 – How fit do I need to be?

You must be able to walk for several hours on two consecutive days. The second day includes the summit ascent and the descent back to the lifts, so you’ll need to keep enough energy and concentration for the descent.

FAQ #4 – How many people are in the group?

The group departure is confirmed with 3 participants, accompanied by an IFMGA Mountain Guide.

FAQ #5 – What happens if the minimum number is not reached?

The departure will not be confirmed, and we’ll notify you no later than 7 days before the scheduled date. We’ll discuss an alternative date or a private climb with you, at the applicable price.

FAQ #6 – What happens if someone is slower or feels unwell?

We’ll move at the pace of the slowest participant. If anyone becomes fatigued or unwell, the guide may change the itinerary or decide that the whole group must return early. In the mountains, we ascend and return together.

FAQ #7 – Do I need to bring technical equipment?

We provide crampons, a climbing harness and an ice axe, all included in the price. If you have your own equipment, we recommend bringing it. You’ll need a sleeping bag liner for the night in the hut. After booking, you’ll receive the complete equipment list.

FAQ #8 – Is there a refund if we don’t reach the summit?

No. Reaching the summit is not guaranteed. Weather, glacier and ridge conditions, or the participants’ condition may require us to change or stop the ascent. The IFMGA Mountain Guide’s guiding service is still considered to have been provided.

Populate the form and secure your spot now!
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Climb to Castore Peak (Group Hike)

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Insurance

Before departure, check that your insurance policy specifically covers mountaineering, glacier travel, altitude, trip cancellation, repatriation, and personal liability. For more information, read our complete guide to mountain insurance.

GET INSPIRED

WINTER

Level 1 – Explore
First freeride experiences. Controlled turns and a relaxed pace on accessible terrain.

Level 2 – Advanced
Confident skiing on ungroomed snow and able to maintain a good pace throughout the day.

Level 3 – Technical
Regular freeride experience, including on steeper terrain and in more exposed situations.


SUMMER

Level 1 – First experience
You should be comfortable with normal mountain hiking. No previous mountaineering or glacier experience is required.

Level 2 – Basic experience
You should already have completed hikes of several hours on mountain trails. Previous glacier experience or use of crampons is not required, but you should be ready to use them for the first time.

Level 3 – Mountaineering experience
Previous experience using crampons and travelling roped together on a glacier is required. The route may include short exposed sections.

Level 4 – Advanced experience
Solid experience using crampons and travelling roped together is required. The route may include exposed ridges, steep slopes and mixed terrain.

Level 5 – Experienced mountaineer
Strong experience on technical high-mountain routes is required. The route may include very exposed sections, climbing on rock, ice or mixed terrain, and may require knowledge of the main rope techniques.

The level indicates the technical experience required, not the physical effort.
The actual difficulty may vary depending on mountain conditions and the route.