The Haute Route Gallery

The Start of the Haute Route, Chamonix

Leaving the Grands Montets lift en route for the Col du Chardonnet (centre left). Aiguille du Chardonnet (L) and Argentiere in the background.

Approaching the Col du Chardonnet

The final and easier section,

Leaving the Argentiere Basin on Day 1 of the Haute Route

North Face of the Aiguille Verte in the background

The Fenetre de Saleina Crossing on Day 1 of the Haute Route

This strategic col links the Saleina and Trient Glaciers and gives access to the Trient Plateau and Hut

A Warm Welcome at The Trient Hut

The first night in Switzerland!

Skiing the Val d'Arpette

Day 2/3 of the Haute begins with a huge (1800m) ski descent from the Trient Hut to Champex via the Val d'Arpette.

Avalanche Transceiver Training

An essential skill of the ski mountaineer

Day 3 - A dawn start from the Mont Fort Hut, Verbier

En Route through the Verbier ski area and onto the Rosablanche

Descending the The Rosablanche (3336m)

The first of a few summit options on the Haute Route

Skiing the North Flank of the Roasablanche on day 3 of the Haute Route

En Route to the Prafleuri Hut

Approaching the comfortable Praflueri Hut

Snow Profile Analysis

Afternoon snow analysis training along the Haute Route journey

Afternoon tea and cakes, Swiss Hut Style

A cafe with a view...

Skinning towards the Dix Hut on day 4 of the Haute Route

North Face of Mont Blanc de Cheilon behind

The Dix Hut near Arolla

A large, polular and sociable Swiss Hut on the Haute Route

Ski Ascent of La Luette (3548m)

A short afternoon skin and ski from the Dix Hut and an added option on day 4 of the Haute Route

Summit of the Pigne d'Arolla with the Matterhorn (journeys end) behind

At 3772m this is the high point of the Haute Route

Superb skiing off the Pigne d'Arolla

En route to the Vignettes Hut on day 5 of the Haute Route

Ski traverse of the Pigne d'Arolla on the Haute Route

Dent Blanche (left) and Matterhorn in the background

Scenic Skinning Journey on Haute Route Day 5

North Face of Mont Blanc de Cheilon behind

Dawn on the East & North Faces of the Matterhorn

The destination for the last day of the Haute Route

Dawn breaks on the approach to the Col de l'Eveque (3382m)

After leaving the Vignettes Hut bound for Zermatt on the last day of the Haute Route

The Dent Blanche from the Tete Blanche

Magnificent views of the Giants of the Swiss Alps on the last day of the Haute Route

Descent of the Stockli Glacier from the Col de Valpelline (3557m)

The start of the last big descent of the Haute Route, a magnificent ski under the North Face of the Matterhorn with views to many of the Swiss 4000m peaks

The superb final descent of the Stockli Glacier

Skiing below the huge North Face of the Matterhorn

Superb light powder for the descent

Journeys End (nearly!)

Celebrating a superb Haute Route journey from Chamonix to Zermatt in the piste side cafes of the Zermatt Ski Area

Mont Dolent Summit Ridge

An option to include a fine summit ascent into the traverse of the Haute Route

Ski Descent of the Plateau du Couloir

A steep and serious ski down to the Valsorey Hut and not the normal way of doing the Haute Route!

The Plateau du Couloir above the Valsorey Hut

The ascent of this 40 degree couloir provides the toughest bit of mountaineering on this Bourg St-~Pierre / Plateau du Couloir route, one of many variations on 'The Haute Route'