August 23, 2019 | TRIPS
Monte Rosa, Punta Dufour (4,634 m) is a relatively easy mountain, but with a few features that make it a very interesting climb. It's the second-highest peak in the Alps, after Mont Blanc. Its first ascent was in 1855. Constant views of the Matterhorn and the entire Lyskamm range offer a unique panorama throughout the climb.
The hike up to the refuge from Zermatt is straightforward. First, a small train that gains us some altitude, followed by about 3 hours to the Monte Rosa Hut. Well marked and with little elevation gain, it turns out to be a calm day. The second day on the mountain is what turns this into a real odyssey. Breakfast is served at the refuge at 2:30am. As soon as you open your eyes, more than a hundred people are already getting ready to head out. Everyone wants to save time, so harness, clothes, everything on, and off to breakfast. Right after, on go the boots, helmets, and headlamps, and out as fast as possible. We leave the refuge at 3am. We kept a steady pace, calm but without losing rhythm. We knew it would be a long day and we needed to catch the last train down to Zermatt before 8:30pm.
The first part of the route crosses rock, until we reach the glacier. Here we put on crampons and rope up. We split the team among the 3 guides. David and Albert each go with two clients, and I go with one, Jaume. All roped up, we check our crampons and set off, ice axe in hand. Now it's time to navigate crevasses under a spectacular full moon and a calm, clear sky. We're very lucky.
Little by little the terrain starts to get more difficult. We're not just gaining altitude — Jaume starts to feel it a bit, his head hurts slightly, and I notice the pace starting to slow. He also starts stopping a bit more often. We have to get across a steep ridge of fairly hard snow and ice. Maximum concentration. Inside, I know that if Jaume stumbles, I need to react very quickly to stop the fall before it has bigger consequences. I don't say anything, I hold the rope shorter, keep a bit more tension, and we keep moving. Soon we reach a stretch of ridge, not too difficult but where people start to bunch up. The exposure is high on both sides of the ridge. We make our way through, and then comes another, steeper ice ridge than the last. We get across it at a slow but steady pace. We're already above 4,000 meters, and the cold starts to bite. We know we're close to the summit, but this mountain doesn't give anything away for free. There's still one last ridge left to reach the top. This is where the roped teams coming down start crossing paths with those going up. It creates a bottleneck that at times feels like rush hour traffic in Barcelona. You have to be patient, stay calm, and push through the cold.
We finally reach the summit. All 8 of us stop up there. The clients relax a little, though they know this is only halfway — we still have a long way back. We enjoy the views, take photos, eat something. Meanwhile, we start weighing our descent options. We know there's a line of rappels and fixed ropes somewhere that would let us avoid retracing the ridges. We decide it's better to find those rappels. We find them quickly and start the descent. Two rappels, a few fixed ropes, and we're back on the glacier. Now it's time to rope up again and retrace the whole glacier back to the refuge.
We reach the refuge at 4pm. We're tired, it's hot, and we haven't eaten much. But we know we're on less committing terrain now, and we relax. We pack our bags and, after eating something, run to catch the last train. At 19:30 we catch the train, and now, finally, we can celebrate a great day in the mountains.
Pedraforca is one of the mountains with the most myths and legends in existence.
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I organised a 4hr climbing session in Siurana for 10 children (mostly aged 8-9) and Santi was super easy to communicate with and organise everything remotely. He arranged 2 guides, all the equipment, safe briefing and everything you would need for a half day of fun climbing. The kids really enjoyed themselves and learnt so much along the way. Some were beginners, others had climbed before and the guides were very helpful and supportive. I highly recommend Southclimb and we can’t wait to go climbing with them again.
(Translated by Google) Introductory ladder course highly recommended and great! Our guide Sara is a crack and very professional! A very pleasant atmosphere and environment! To repeat this or other courses!! Thanks team!!
(Original) Curs d'inici d'escala més que recomanable i genial! La nostra guia Sara una crack i molt professional! Un ambient i entorn molt agradable! Per repetir aquest o altres cursos!! Gràcies equip!!
(Translated by Google) My 12 year old son and I (50) did the rock baptism. I have no climbing experience. It was great. Santi very attentive and friendly at all times. It gave us a lot of security. It adapts perfectly to the level of each one and encourages you to improve yourself. Without a doubt, totally recommended! Thank you very much for everything Santa!
(Original) Hicimos el bautizo en roca mi hijo de 12 años y yo (50). Yo sin ninguna experiencia en escalada. Fue genial. Santi muy atento y simpático en todo momento. Nos dio mucha seguridad. Se adapta perfectamente al nivel de cada uno y anima a superarte. Sin duda alguna totalmente recomendable! Muchas gracias por todo Sant!
Had a blast on my multipitch course with Southclimb! Everything was clearly explained and I had enough opportunities to practice. Good athmosphere and awesome routes, would definitely recommend!!
(Translated by Google) I did a climbing course with my two children, everything was very well organized and we had a great time. I'm sure we'll do it again.
(Original) Hice un curso de escalada con mis dos hijos , todo muy bien organizado lo pasamos muy bien .Seguro que repetimos .
Messaged Santi to teach us lead climbing outside as it was our first time. He was very responsive with his communication and we sorted out a day to climb. We climbed at a really scenic location. Santi tought us most of the aspects required to perform lead climbing and was very patient, effective and an all round down to earth person. By the end of the day we were almost competent lead climbers. I would definitely recommend him if you want it learn how to climb or need a challenging route to climb with assistance.
(Translated by Google) Highly recommended. The explanations were clear, you learn very quickly and the place is perfect for beginners. The day flies by! 👏🏼👏🏼😊😊
(Original) Muy recomendable. Las explicaciones fueron claras, aprendes muy rápido y el lugar es perfecto para principiantes. El día se pasa volando! 👏🏼👏🏼😊😊
(Translated by Google) Sport climbing course. Very educational and entertaining. Highly recommended!
(Original) Curso de escalada deportiva. Muy didáctico y entretenido. Muy recomendable!
(Translated by Google) Santi is one of the best guides I've met, I did the sport climbing course with him, the long route course and I also went for a couple of days to do sport climbing. He has always been very kind and friendly, the explanations he gives are clear and very useful. He knows the areas he goes to perfectly and gives very good recommendations to return there on your own.
(Original) Santi és un dels millors guies que he conegut, he fet amb ell el curs d'escalada esportiva, el de via llarga i també he anat un parell de dies a fer esportiva. Sempre ha segut molt amable i amistós, les explicacions que dona son clares i molt útils. Coneix perfectament les zones on va i dona molt bones recomanacions per tornar-hi pel teu compte.
(Translated by Google) We have had an incredible weekend. Santi is very attentive, super good vibes and makes you feel safe at all times. It also gives enough freedom for you to have confidence in yourself to move forward. He puts a lot of love into it, you can tell he enjoys his work :) We are left wanting more!
(Original) Hemos pasado un fin de semana increíble. Santi es muy atento, super buen rollo y te hace sentir seguro en todo momento. También da la libertad suficiente para que tengas confianza en ti mismo para avanzar. Le pone mucho cariño, se nota que disfruta con su trabajo :) Nos hemos quedado con ganas de más!
