"Going to the mountains is like returning and rediscovering the connection with the earth, a primal instinct that reconnects you to the origins of life.."
Andrea Degasparis, Mountain Guide

Mountaineering is wonderful, it surely is. Like all useless things. No one forces you to do it, but you go, and what you find at the summit is real emotion."
Ioris Turini Mountain Guide

5 reasons why you should stop scrolling your phone and start mountaineering

Climbing mountains heals your body
Mountaineering requires strength, flexibility, and endurance. You will see your body transformed with balance and harmony. Muscle tone, cardiovascular endurance, coordination, and balance will be at their best.

Efforts embrace your mind
Concentration, problem-solving, and determination are necessary traits for those who choose to practice mountaineering. Exercising the art of testing yourself despite fatigue is a caress for your mind's well-being. It trains you not only for success but to challenge your potential.

Determination feeds your heart
The unexplored and beyond, away from habits, daily life, cities, and noise, make you feel alive. When you pursue this goal with determination, the love you receive from yourself will warm your heart with new perspectives and empathy for others.

Silence clears your doubts
Walking silently in nature clears your thoughts. It shows you the right perspective to evaluate the limits of the self, facing you with the vastness of creation.

Mountaineering teaches fear
In the mountains, it's normal to feel fear, but it's essential not to let it turn into panic. Fear brings with it an intensity that enhances concentration and adrenaline, and it's precisely this intensity that enriches the experience. It is crucial to manage fear so that it does not become paralyzing. Thus, by facing it, you can fully enjoy every moment and in the end, you will feel the great satisfaction of having overcome it.

How to take the first steps on Monte Rosa (and surroundings)

Our tips for getting started are simple: follow each action carefully and consciously. Every activity requires a certain level of skill, but with mountaineering, precision is essential. You must be attentive to every detail: from equipment to weather forecast, from estimated climb times to ensure you have time to return, to the thorough study of the environment you are moving in. Pay particular attention to every step because in the mountains, safety comes first.

What are the best climbs to take the first steps in mountaineering on Monte Rosa

• Giordani's peak 4046 m: without technical difficulties but with fairly sustained and continuous slopes, with a short final rush to reach the rocks of the summit. Giordani's Peak is the southernmost 4000er of the Monte Rosa massif, and the view from its summit of the south wall of Monte Rosa is breathtaking!
• West Breithorn 4164 m: a total immersion in the Matterhorn environment with a fairly contained elevation gain to reach the summit.
• Vincent Pyramid and the Christ of the Peaks 4215m: the peak that dominates the three Italian valleys of Monte Rosa: Valsesia, Valle del Lys, and Val d'Ayas. From its summit, the view extends from Mont Blanc to the Maritime Alps.
• If you already have climbing experience, the Soldato Ridged is a must. A varied route but never particularly exposed, it is not difficult and never banal, offering a perfect mix of challenge and majestic scenery.

Would you like to join the Monte Rosa guides for a training session that not only prepares you physically but also enables you to adopt an active and rewarding lifestyle?

Write to us! We'll discuss the details of the training and the planned routes together. We'd love to provide you with all the necessary information to help you prepare and participate with the energy and dedication that such an enriching experience deserves.

Always check the conditions and look at the webcams.

• The webcams of Monte Rosa from 3200 meters downwards
• The webcams of Monte Rosa at the high-altitude shelters.

Prepare your equipment carefully without excess

Choosing the right gear depends on the ascent you've chosen, weather conditions, and expected temperatures. To best prepare yourself, consider your habits and personal needs. If you're someone who feels the cold, it's important to focus on keeping your upper body warm. If, on the other hand, your legs tend to overheat, make sure to wear lightweight, breathable clothing on the lower part of your body. The head is a critical point for body heat dispersion. If you're prone to feeling cold, ensure it's adequately covered. If you can't stand having your temples exposed or if your ears are particularly sensitive to the cold, protect them with a hat or ear covers.

When packing your backpack, make sure to bring only the essentials, avoiding excess. Carefully evaluate whether the items you've chosen are truly necessary. Reducing weight on your shoulders will make your climbs less demanding. In summary, customize your equipment according to your specific needs to ensure maximum comfort and safety during the hike.

Technical and non-technical gear

Reflecting on the considerations made, consider the following advice:

• Layer your clothing, five layers are good, so you can add or remove clothes depending on conditions. In the mountains, you may be sheltered from the wind at one moment and then exposed to it at another, resulting in temperature variations.
• Make sure to adequately cover peripheral parts of the body. Hands, feet, ears, and nose should be kept warm and protected.
• Choose a spacious but not excessively large backpack. A capacity of around 30 liters is fine for easy climbs of one or two days. Avoid carrying unnecessary items to reduce weight on your shoulders and make walking easier.
• Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses with lenses that have adequate level 3 or 4 sun protection.
• Pay close attention to footwear: it should be warm, stiff, waterproof, and ankle-high. You have several options to choose from, and if necessary, you can even rent them. They don't need to be the latest generation shoes, but you must ensure they protect the foot. They should not allow moisture to penetrate and should have a rigid sole to use with crampons. Hiking boots are not suitable.
• Prepare the essential technical equipment: crampons, harness, rope, and ice axe are indispensable. But make sure you are well prepared and competent in using such tools.

Train, Train, Train

Approaching high-altitude mountaineering should be gradual. Training is important, but without overdoing it; it's okay to train progressively, starting with climbs on more modest elevations and gradually increasing altitude. Setting realistic and achievable goals is crucial, but most importantly, you should find happiness in the activity.

Engaging in mountaineering should be a source of joy, not another stressful commitment. Keep your mind free and open to enjoy the emotions that the journey offers you. However, it's important to approach this challenge with caution. As Andrea Tamilla, Monte Rosa guide, says, "Mountaineering is a challenge with oneself. Just as Ulysses was enchanted by the sirens, the mountaineer is also attracted by the charm of the mountain and cannot avoid it, but it is essential to be aware of the importance of returning to everyday life".

If you don't feel ready to tackle high-altitude mountaineering on your own, consider starting your journey with the help of the Monte Rosa guides. These professionals can accompany you during training and offer specific introductory courses to prepare you best.

Click here to see the introductory mountaineering course by the Monte Rosa guides

As summer approaches, you feel the call of the mountains and the intrinsic allure of mountaineering.

Are you ready to challenge yourself and explore the world from the highest peak?