Alpine touring experience on the Bishorn - experience rock and glacier in a practical way and learn the skills of alpine touring!
Bishorn, Valais
This course offers the ideal introduction to the fascinating mountain world of the 4000 metre peaks - with a focus on the Bishorn and the surrounding glacier and rock landscapes. Over four days, you will learn the practical aspects of mountaineering: from tour planning and walking with crampons to travelling safely on rock and ice. With a modern, empathetic training style, we accompany you step by step into the alpine craft. After a cosy arrival, we spend the first night in the Turtmannhütte. There we start with the basics: rock technique, roping up, belaying and rope handling. On the second day, we head across an impressive glacier to the Cabane de Tracuit - an ideal opportunity to learn and practise walking with crampons. We spend the next two nights in the beautifully situated Tracuit hut. From here we climb the Bishorn - a perfect practice tour to put what we have learnt into practice. On the last day there is still time to repeat techniques and round off the course with the descent to Zinal.
We’ll meet at Turtmann railway station. From there, we’ll walk to the Turtmann valley station (about 20 mins) and take the cable car up to Oberems. From there, the Alpentaxi will take us to the very end of the valley, to the starting point at Sennturm/Hungerli. If you’re travelling by car, it’s best to park in Sierre or at Turtmann railway station.
After a leisurely walk up to the hut, we’ll make the most of the excellent training opportunities available around the hut. We’ll start with the basics of rock climbing and familiarise ourselves with the most important roping-up and belaying techniques. We’ll practise our first attempts at using a short rope over boulders. If there’s enough time, we’ll gain further experience at the climbing wall.
In the evening, we’ll look at how to plan for the weather and discover some useful apps and digital tools for preparing for our trips.
After our first night in the hut, we set off for the Tracuithütte. The approach takes us over the Adlerflüe, a short via ferrata and rocky terrain. Along the way, we put the belaying techniques we have learnt into practice and consolidate our understanding of the various stages of short-rope belaying. Above the Adlerflüe, we reach the glacier area between the Turtmann Glacier and the Tracuig Glacier. Here, we focus on the basics of ice climbing and practise using ice axes and crampons, as well as roping up on the glacier.
In the evening, we’ll plan our ascent of the Bishorn together. We’ll look at the 3×3 method, assess the conditions and prepare for the next day’s hike.
We’re getting up early today. Our destination is the Bishorn – an impressive training peak with magnificent views and ideal access to the glacier. Along the way, we’ll put the techniques we’ve learnt so far into practice and build on our skills in walking on snow and ice. At the summit, an impressive panorama awaits us, with views of the Weisshorn, Zinalrothorn, the Dent Blanche and, on a clear day, as far as Mont Blanc. The descent also offers further opportunities to put what we’ve learnt into practice and consolidate our skills.
On the final day of the course, we will focus on revising and consolidating our ice climbing techniques. The course will centre on the basics of crevasse rescue and various rescue techniques, which we will practise hands-on.
We then descend into the valley towards Zinal via the Hüttenweg.
With a rucksack full of new experiences, practical knowledge and memorable adventures from the high mountains, we’ll bring the course to a close together in Zinal.
During this four-day course, you will learn and consolidate the technical fundamentals required to undertake high-altitude mountaineering independently and safely. You will cover rock anchoring, walking on snow and ice, crevasse rescue, and the planning and assessment of alpine tours. The content is taught step by step, practised hands-on and put into practice during the group ascent of the Bishorn.
1. Rock formation and safety techniques
2. Ice training and walking on snow and firn
3. Rope-up and behaviour on the glacier
4. Column rescue
5. Route planning and risk management
6. Practical application and consolidation
Bergschaft tours and courses are conducted in German as standard. However, our mountain guides speak good English, as do many of the participants. If you speak English, you are of course very welcome. Depending on the tour, it may be worth asking us in advance whether the guide and the group are comfortable speaking English.
17–20 June 2027, Thursday–Sunday, 4 days
1–4 July 2027, Thursday–Sunday, 4 days
15–18 July 2027, Thursday–Sunday, 4 days
29 July – 1 August 2027, Thursday – Sunday, 4 days
12–15 August 2027, Thursday–Sunday, 4 days
26–29 August 2027, Thursday–Sunday, 4 days
9–12 September 2027, Thursday–Sunday, 4 days
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