MOUNTAINEERING - MY FIRST 4000
Breithorn (4165 m)
Your first 4,000-metre summit, above the glaciers of Monte Rosa.
The experience
Reaching your first 4,000-metre summit is a special milestone, and the Breithorn Occidentale (4,165 m) offers a beautiful introduction to high-altitude mountaineering, surrounded by open glaciers and sweeping views of the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and the mountains of the Swiss Valais and Aosta Valley.
In a single day, we will get familiar with crampons and rope travel, cross the glacier together and climb the final snow slopes to the summit, choosing between a longer approach from Plateau Rosà (3,480 m) or a shorter ascent from the Klein Matterhorn (3,883 m) via the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing.
Level & requirements
Requirements
No previous mountaineering experience required. Previous mountain hiking experience is essential.
Level Guide
Each experience has a technical level, indicating the skills required, and a physical level, indicating the fitness and effort involved. Actual difficulty may vary depending on mountain conditions, weather, and the group.
Technical Level
Level 1 — Beginner
No previous mountaineering experience is required, but some experience of mountain hiking is necessary. Suitable for your first alpine ascent, on relatively easy snow, glacier or rocky terrain.
Level 2 — Basic
No previous mountaineering experience is required, but a good level of mountain hiking experience is essential. You should be comfortable on steep, uneven terrain. Routes may involve steeper snow slopes, easy scrambling, exposed sections and more demanding glacier travel.
Level 3 — Intermediate
Previous mountaineering experience is required. Routes may involve sustained snow or ice slopes, exposed ridges, mixed terrain and moderate rock climbing. You should be confident with crampons and using an ice axe.
Level 4 — Advanced
Solid mountaineering experience is essential. Routes involve sustained technical climbing on rock, snow, ice or mixed terrain, often with significant exposure. Good movement skills and confidence in challenging alpine conditions are required.
Level 5 — Expert
Extensive experience on technical alpine routes is required. Climbs may involve steep ice, difficult mixed terrain, sustained rock climbing and highly exposed sections. Strong technical skills, efficiency and experience in demanding mountain environments are essential.
Physical Level
Physical levels for aerobic mountain activities are based on expected activity time, elevation gain and overall sustained effort. Altitude, terrain, weather, pace and backpack weight can increase the physical demands.
Level 1 — Easy
Gentle outings and short ascents up to around 5 hours of activity, usually with less than 600 m of elevation gain.
Level 2 — Easy to Moderate
Around 5–7 hours of activity or 600–1,000 m of elevation gain.
Level 3 — Moderate
Around 7–9 hours of activity or 1,000–1,500 m of elevation gain.
Level 4 — Demanding
Around 9–12 hours of activity or 1,500–2,000 m of elevation gain.
Level 5 — Very Demanding
More than 12 hours of activity or more than 2,000 m of elevation gain.
Practical information
Program
Reach your first 4,000-metre summit walking on the glaciers of Monte Rosa.
We will meet at 7:00 AM at the cable car ticket office in Breuil-Cervinia, check your equipment and get ready to take the cable cars into the high mountains.
Starting from Plateau Rosà
We will take the cable cars to Plateau Rosà (3,480 m), put on our crampons and rope together before beginning our ascent alongside the summer ski area. As we gain altitude towards the Breithorn Plateau, we will get familiar with walking on snow and moving together as a rope team. Leaving the ski area behind, we will cross the open glacier towards the broad southern slopes of Western Breithorn. A gradually steepening ascent will lead us to the summit at 4,165 m, with views of the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and the surrounding Alpine peaks. After a short break, we will descend along the same route to Plateau Rosà and take the cable cars back to Cervinia.
Walking time: about 6–7 hours, including the ascent (3-4 hours).
Elevation gain: +690 m.
Starting from Klein Matterhorn
We will take the cable cars to Plateau Rosà and continue on the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing to Klein Matterhorn (3,883 m). From the station, we will make our way to the glacier, put on our crampons and rope together before setting out across the Breithorn Plateau. With a shorter approach, we will reach the foot of the mountain’s southern slopes and begin the final ascent towards the summit. We will climb steadily on snow, taking time to find a comfortable rhythm at altitude before reaching the panoramic summit of Western Breithorn (4,165 m). We will then retrace our route across the glacier to Klein Matterhorn and return to Cervinia by cable car.
Walking time: about 3–4 hours, including the ascent (1.5-2 hours).
Elevation gain: +400 m.
All times are approximate and depend on conditions and group pace.
Equipment
Full mountaineering equipment is required.
- Clothes for the upper body: thermal base layer, spare base layer top, warm fleece or insulating mid-layer, warm down or synthetic insulated jacket, waterproof and windproof shell jacket
- Clothes for the lower body: thermal base-layer bottoms, mountaineering pants, waterproof shell pants, and 2 pairs of warm socks
- Warm hat and neck warmer
- 2 pairs of gloves (one lightweight pair and one warm pair)
- Mountaineering boots (compatible with your crampons)
- Crampons (made of steel and compatible with your boots)
- Harness
- Sunglasses (category 3 or 4, with good side protection)
- Sunscreen and lip protection
- 1 L water bottle or thermos, and snacks
- Adjustable trekking poles (with standard round baskets)
- Backpack (30 L)
- Helmet (optional)
- Ice axe (optional)
Mountaineering boots, crampons, helmets, ice axes, and harnesses can be rented from Pellisier Sport (in Valtournenche) or from Nolski (in Cervinia), Please contact the rental shop in advance to reserve the items you need, as availability may be limited. I may also have a limited number of helmets, ice axes, and harnesses available to lend.
I provide the additional group equipment needed for the experience. All the equipment listed above is mandatory.
Booking & Conditions
A 50% deposit confirms your booking.
Get in touch with your preferred dates and group size to check availability. A 50% deposit confirms your booking. Participants are strongly advised to have insurance appropriate to the planned activity and geographical area. For full details, including information about the special partner insurance rate, please refer to the Booking & Conditions.
The program is indicative and may be adjusted according to weather, glacier conditions and the group’s level. Reaching the summit cannot be guaranteed.
Prices
| Group size | Price per person | Total price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | €460/pax | €460 |
| 2 people | €230/pax | €460 |
| 3 people | €170/pax | €510 |
| 4 people | €140/pax | €560 |
| 5 people | €125/pax | €625 |
Included
- Guiding service
- Professional liability insurance of the guide
- Technical equipment loaned by the guide on request
Not included
- From Plateau Rosà: Return cable car tickets from Breuil-Cervinia to Plateau Rosà, about €57 per adult. The guide’s ticket for this route is already covered.
- From Klein Matterhorn: Return cable car tickets from Breuil-Cervinia to Klein Matterhorn, about €132 per adult. The guide’s ticket for this route is not covered (and must be payed by participants).
- Equipment rental
Any other expenses needed for the experience that are not expressly listed under “Included”, for you and the guide.
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