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Mountaineering Course on Monte Rosa (Group)

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Level: 1

Season: Summer

Duration: 3 days

Participants: Max 5

My goal

Three days to learn the fundamentals of mountaineering on glaciers, gain experience at high altitude and prepare for an ascent towards Capanna Margherita.

Learning to move safely in high mountains means much more than reaching a summit. It means understanding your equipment, knowing how to travel on a glacier, learning to use crampons, an ice axe and a rope, and recognising situations that require particular attention.

During this three-day course, we’ll start with the fundamentals of mountaineering and gradually develop the skills needed to move on glaciated terrain, combining explanations, practical exercises and mountain travel.

On the final day, we’ll aim to climb towards Capanna Margherita or one of Monte Rosa’s 4,000-metre peaks, depending on conditions and the group’s preparation. This will be our opportunity to put everything we’ve learned into practice.

Where we’ll go

The course takes place on Monte Rosa, starting from Gressoney or Alagna, with Rifugio Città di Mantova, at 3,498 metres, as our base.

We’ll use the ski lifts to reach Punta Indren and then walk up to the hut, where we’ll spend two nights.

We’ll practise on the surrounding glaciers, choosing suitable terrain for each exercise. On the third day, we’ll move towards higher elevations, aiming to reach Capanna Margherita, at 4,554 metres, or one of the massif’s other 4,000-metre summits.

What it takes

No previous mountaineering experience is required: this course is designed for people who want to get started.

However, you should have a good level of fitness, be comfortable hiking in the mountains and be able to sustain several hours of physical activity, including uphill walking.

We’ll spend three days above 3,000 metres, with two nights at altitude. Acclimatisation and your individual response to altitude are therefore important aspects of the experience.

For the final day, you should have enough stamina for approximately 4–5 hours of ascent followed by the descent. Actual walking times will depend on the chosen route.

How we’ll guide you

We’ll be accompanied throughout the course by an IFMGA Mountain Guide, who will supervise the group during all activities and practical exercises.

We’ll learn by doing. The guide will explain each technique, demonstrate how to perform it and help us correct mistakes, adapting the exercises to the participants’ abilities.

During the final ascent, we’ll bring together everything we’ve learned, from preparing our equipment to travelling roped together, maintaining a steady pace and moving efficiently on glaciated terrain.

The group will have a maximum of five participants, allowing the guide to give everyone individual attention during the exercises.

SUMMER 2027

Saturday 5 June
Friday 11 June
Monday 21 June
Friday 25 June
Friday 9 July
Friday 23 July
Monday 9 August
Thursday 19 August

Price

€680.00 per person

The price includes

Three days with an IFMGA Mountain Guide
Half board at Rifugio Mantova
Return lift pass to Punta Indren
Technical equipment: crampons and climbing harness

Not included in the price

Accident insurance, meals not specified in the programme, anything not expressly listed under “The price includes”.

Program

Day 1 — Ascent to Rifugio Mantova and introduction to mountaineering

We’ll meet at 2:30 pm at Passo dei Salati, which can be reached using the Monterosa Ski lifts from Alagna or Gressoney. After introductions, we’ll check our equipment and take the cable car to Punta Indren, at 3,275 metres.

From here, we’ll walk up to Rifugio Città di Mantova, at 3,498 metres, where we’ll stay for the two nights of the course.

The afternoon will be dedicated to getting familiar with mountaineering equipment and learning how to use it. We’ll explore the different pieces of technical gear, practise using harnesses, carabiners and ropes correctly, and learn the essential climbing knots.

We’ll also introduce the principles of roped glacier travel and the safety procedures we’ll follow during our activities on the glacier.

Dinner and overnight stay at Rifugio Mantova.

Elevation gain: approximately 220 metres
Walking time: approximately 1 hour, excluding practical exercises

Day 2 — Glacier travel techniques and safety

We’ll spend the entire day practising on the glacier, working on terrain selected by the guide according to the conditions.

We’ll start by learning how to use crampons and an ice axe, practising uphill and downhill movement as well as traversing slopes. We’ll work on balance and adapting our technique to different gradients.

We’ll then move on to roped glacier travel, learning how to tie into the rope, maintain appropriate spacing and coordinate our movements.

An important part of the day will focus on glacier safety. We’ll learn to recognise crevasses, practise techniques for arresting a fall and explore the basic principles of crevasse rescue, through practical exercises supervised by the guide.

At the end of the activities, we’ll return to Rifugio Mantova, where we’ll prepare our equipment and organise the following day’s ascent.

Dinner and overnight stay at Rifugio Mantova.

Day 3 — Ascent towards Capanna Margherita or another Monte Rosa 4,000-metre peak

We’ll leave Rifugio Mantova early in the morning to put into practice everything we’ve learned during the course.

We’ll travel roped together across the glacier, paying attention to our pace, spacing between participants and correct use of equipment. Throughout the ascent, we’ll apply the glacier travel and safety techniques practised over the previous two days.

Our aim will be to reach Capanna Margherita, at 4,554 metres, or another of Monte Rosa’s 4,000-metre peaks. The guide will select the most suitable itinerary according to mountain conditions and the group’s preparation.

After the ascent, we’ll descend towards Punta Indren, where we’ll take the lifts back to Alagna or Gressoney.

Walking time: varies depending on the chosen itinerary and conditions.

Equipment required

For the Monte Rosa mountaineering course, you’ll need:

mountaineering clothing suitable for high altitude and changing weather conditions
mountaineering boots
30–35 litre backpack
sunglasses with category 3 or 4 protection
SPF 50+ sunscreen
protective lip balm
warm, waterproof gloves
warm hat and sun hat
sleeping bag liner for the mountain hut
headtorch
water bottle or thermos
energy snacks for the days in the mountains

Crampons and a climbing harness are provided by us. If you already own your technical equipment, we recommend bringing it so you can learn to use it correctly during the course.

After booking, we’ll send you a complete and detailed equipment checklist, with guidance on clothing, technical gear and personal items to bring. This will help you prepare your backpack according to the programme and the expected mountain conditions. In the meantime, you can consult our Monte Rosa mountaineering equipment guide.

Please, pay attention here

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.

? Learn more here

F.A.Q.

**FAQ #1** – Can I join if I’ve never tried mountaineering before?

Yes. This course is designed for people who want to start mountaineering from the basics. No previous glacier experience is required, but you should be comfortable hiking in the mountains and have a good level of physical fitness.

**FAQ #2** – Can I book as a solo participant?

Absolutely. This is a group course, and you can register individually. Each group will have a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 5 participants per IFMGA Mountain Guide.

**FAQ #3** – Is reaching Capanna Margherita guaranteed?

No. Capanna Margherita is one of the possible objectives for the final day, but the choice will depend on weather conditions, glacier conditions and the group’s preparation. We may choose another 4,000-metre peak or adapt the programme. The main objective remains learning and applying mountaineering techniques.

**FAQ #4** – What happens if participants have different fitness levels or walking speeds?

We aim to form groups with similar levels of fitness and experience. During the course, we’ll move at the pace of the slowest participant. If someone becomes particularly tired or struggles with the altitude, the guide may adapt the activities or decide that the group should return.

**FAQ #5** – Do I need to buy crampons and a climbing harness?

No. Crampons and a climbing harness are included in the course price. If you already have your own equipment, we recommend bringing it so we can check it and help you learn to use it correctly. Mountaineering boots and clothing are personal equipment.

**FAQ #6** – What happens if the minimum number of participants isn’t reached?

The course requires at least 4 participants. Departure is not automatically confirmed when you register. We’ll let you know whether the course is confirmed or cancelled no later than 7 days before the scheduled start date.

If the minimum number isn’t reached, we can discuss an alternative date or a private course.

**FAQ #7** – What happens if the weather doesn’t allow the course to run as planned?

The guide will assess the weather and glacier conditions and may adapt the exercises or the itinerary to ensure the activities can take place under suitable conditions.

If the course cannot take place, we’ll inform you of the available alternatives according to the booking conditions.

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Mountaineering Course on Monte Rosa (Group)

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Categories: Mountaineering, Group hikes

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.

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Mountaineering Course on Monte Rosa (Group)