Castor and Pollux mountain tour from Zermatt
Highlights
- Start the ascent of the four-thousand-metre peaks at the Klein Matterhorn mountain station
- Be guided by a professional local mountain guide
- Climb with crampons, ice axe and harness over rocks and ice
- Cross the Breithorn plateau and climb Pollux
- Climb the west flank of Castor, whose summit is already in Italy
- Experience the stunning moment when you reach the second summit at 4223 m above sea level and look down into the Italian Aosta Valley
Description
You will first travel to the Klein Matterhorn together with your guide. The trip is made from Zermatt with three consecutive cable cars and takes 45 minutes. From Zermatt (1608 m a.s.l.) to the Klein Matterhorn (3883 m a.s.l.), you already have to climb 2275 meters in altitude.
From here you will cross the Breithorn plateau together and climb the Pollux and then the Castor over the steep western flanks. This is a scenically very beautiful ice tour. At the summit you have a direct view into the Aosta Valley (Italy).
Practical information:
- Requirement: technique 3 and endurance 4
Swiss Activities Tip
The high peaks Castor and Pollux are also called twins, because they are very close to each other. The summit of Castor reaches 4223 m a.s.l. and is located in Italy. To the west of it, Pollux, at 4092 m a.s.l., comes in front of the Breithorn massif (4164 m a.s.l.). These peaks are also located on the Valais border ridge with Italy, but still belong to Switzerland.
Request
Technique:
You are experienced in climbing in the 2nd degree of difficulty as well as in moderately steep terrain on rock and ice. You are familiar with the use of crampons. (Level 3 of 5)
Endurance (duration of the tour):
8 - 9 hours (level 4 of 5)
Checklist technical mandatory equipment
- Crampon resistant mountaineering boots with profiled, stiff, Vibram sole
- Climbing harness
- crampons
- ice axe
- helmet
- backpack, approx. 30 liters
- warm weatherproof clothing
- finger gloves (possibly spare gloves)
- cap
- headlamp
- sunglasses and sunscreen
- little, but high-energy food
- thermos or water bottle
- spare underwear
- hiking/ski pole with "plate
What's included
8-9 hours mountain tour on the Castor from Klein Matterhorn
Professional and experienced mountain guide
Rail journey Zermatt - Klein Matterhorn return approx. 120 CHF
Equipment rental (sports store Zermatt) for about 50-70 CHF
Meeting point
Talstation Matterhorn Express, 3920 Zermatt
Klein Matterhorn, 3920 Zermatt, Schweiz
Important information
- Please contact the tour provider 2-3 days in advance to discuss the final details. You will receive the contact details with the booking confirmation.
Operator
Operated by
Zermatters
Verified operator