Level Advanced
Duration 2 days
Zone 4000 of the Alps
Zinalrothorn, from every direction, looks like a shark tooth, extremely sharp as sharpened are the ridges over its many sides. The most famous and stunning is the Rothorngrat, which branches off towards Ober Gabelhorn. The geological constitution of this ridge, solid Gneiss, offers one of the most amazing climbs in high altitude of the Alps.
Technical description
The exposition (South-West) makes this ridge extremely dry. The ascent might be combined with the crossing of the Ober Gabelhorn. The descent from the summit runs on the last part of the ridge backwords, until Gabel’s notch, just to detour on the normal way (South-East).
Support point of the ascent: Rothorn Hutte (3198m), which can be reached from Zermatt (1605m)
Equipment
- crampons
- ice axe
- harness
- boots
- backpack
- water bottle
- winter clothes
- waterproof k-way
- underwear
- gloves
- bonnet
- sunglasses
- suncream
- limited food supply
- sleeping bag.
Info
Difficulties:
- Rothorngrat: III and IV.
- Eastern ridge: II and III.
Physical conditions: good training level and adaptation to high altitude.
Technical preparation: ability to climb on rock until V, good technique on mixed terrain with crampons requested.
Elevation gain:
- Zermatt – Rothorn Hutte +1619m – 5hrs.
- Rothorn Hutte – Zinalrothorn +1150m – 6/7hrs.
- Zinalrothorn – Rothorn Hutte +1150m – 3/4hrs.
- Rothorn Hutte – Zermatt +1593m – 3hrs.
1 person.
