Climbing Alps
Castor - Pollux
Alps. Italy - Swiss. Climbing in Monte Rosa Massif - Castor (4226 m) and Pollux (4092 m)
Altitude: 4226 m
Program category: Mountain Climbing
Difficulty: basic (SPECIAL SKILLS ARE NOT REQUIRED)
Duration: 6 days
Season: June - October
Program price from: 300 Euro
Guided climbs in Monte Rosa Massif - Castor and Pollux - classic mountain program of MCS AlexClimb.
Two mountain, similar to each other as two drops of water symbolically embody the nature stone sculptures of the symbol of unbreakable friendship and consequently have corresponding names - Castor and Pollux. Despite the diversity of climbing routes and facilities for climbing in the Alps, Castor and Pollux invariably are very popular - it is even necessary sometimes to wait in line to get closer to the snowy top of this symbol of friendship. Popularity for climbing of Castor and Pollux is due to combination of two factors - a great availability from the two popular mountain resorts of the Alps - from Cervinia (Italy) and Zermatt (Switzerland). From the both localities to the top of plateau Rose one can get by the cable cars - in the winter the area turns into a pearl place of skiing. In addition, the upper cable car station is equipped with a hotel - Refugio Guides del Cervino - where you can comfortably sleep at the altitude of about 4000 meters - an opportunity not bad at all, taking into account all the nuances of the local weather. From the upper cable car station and the shelter the ascent of Castor and Pollux can be done (with a successful combination of the weather and snow conditions) in half a day. Routes of Castor and Pollux do not represent the technical complexity of climbing - really they are not serious climbing routes in the true sense of the word - but they require use of ropes, although the major technical difficulties on that mountains are fully equipped with stationary chains and ropes - Safety when above all!
The second by its height (after Mont Blanc) mountain massif of European Alps - Monte Rosa it is a group of mountains located on the territories of Swiss and Italy. All routes in this region have the classic alpine character - snow and ice slopes and ridges, some routes have moderate rock pitches. The region of Monte Rosa is perfectly developed and equipped for many various mountain activities: the routes are marked, difficult pitches are equipped with a stationary belay, overnight stay is normally organized in comfortable mountain huts and shelters. Basic climbs in Monte Rosa massif are ideal for getting the main technical skills of mountain climbing and also for acclimatizing before more difficult climbs.
This 6-day mountain climbing program "Climbing in Monte Rosa Massif - Castor and Pollux" is designed for people who have no prior experience in mountain climbing and who want to try themselves at mountain climbing. Climbing routes of Castor and Pollux are not hard physically, do not require to overcome serious technically difficult parts nor stay long at high altitude conditions. Regardless your climbing experience, we recommend the Course of general physical preparation and passing MCS AlexClimb Course of Mountain Technique (basic level) before participating in this program.
The First Principle of MCS AlexClimb
The First Rule, by which we are guided in the development of our mountain programs - is safety. Professional Guides lead the group, the highest quality certificated equipment and the most modern navigation equipment are used. This guarantees the highest possible level of your safety in the mountains, which is the most important side of our work.
Program Schedule
The AlexClimb Alps climbing schedule (climbing in Monte Rosa Massif - Climbing Castor and Pollux 2020):
Guided ascent of Castor and Pollux
Easy Climb, Basic level
Day 1 - arriving to Milan, transfer to Chatillion, overnight in the hotel **
Day 2 - transfer to Cervinia, trekking to the Testa Grigia Hut (3480 m), overnight in the Hut
Day 3 - climbing Castor and Pollux (depends on the snow/ice conditions)
Day 4 - spare day (climbing Breithorn)
Day 5 - descent to Cervinia, transfer to Chatillion, hotel accommodation**, sightseeing excursion to the Ussel Castle
Day 6 - transfer to Milan, departure
Prices and conditions
The price of the "Alps. Climbing Castor and Pollux 2020":
400 Euro* - standart group 5-12 participants
750 Euro* - mini-group 3-4 participants
1200 Euro* - private program for 1-2 participants
*Price per person
You have to be ready for:
- 2 days of life in somehow uncomfortable conditions;
- Cooking your meals by yourself while climbing mountains;
- Carrying a 10-15 kg backpack;
- Air temperature can be down to -20°C on the altitude higher than 3000 m;
Conditions: minimum 4 participants, the Brief AlexClimb course of mountain technique is recommended before the trip.
The price includes: Professional mountain guide services, rent of the communal equipment (ropes, belaying and navigation equipment, cooking gear), hotel accommodation, transfers from the point of the beginning of the program to its end (Milan), using the communal basic medical kit, local registering and climbing permits, food for outdoor part of the program.
The cost does not include: Shengen visa charges (if necessary), International and domestic flight expenses to and from the point of the beginning of the program (Milan), obligatory climbing insurance, rent of the personal equipment, food and drinks while being in cities, using the satellite phone.
Group capacity: 12
Guides: 2
Detailed conditions and limitations on the program "Alps, Italy - Swiss. Climbing Castor and Pollux" can be read in the Offer section
Our Principles
AlexClimb Rule #1 - Safety First
From the very beginning of our activity, here nearly 16 years, the first Principle of work of School of mountaineering and rock-climbing of MCS AlexClimb is the Safety Priority. On the basis of this Principle all process of training is based, all programs and rounds are developed and carried out only within this main principle. We consider that at professional approach to development of programs, at personal discipline and correctly put motivation - occupations by mountaineering and rock-climbing are COMPLETELY safe. And from the return - all troubles and accidents in our sport come from nonprofessionalism, from ignorance or neglect by elementary standards of safety, from irrational motivation, from revaluation of own forces and opportunities. All these prerequisites we COMPLETELY EXCLUDE in our work - ours Rock-climbing, Ice climbing and Mountaineering are based on one Principle - the Safety Priority. In rock-climbing, mountaineering and ice climbing, the Priority of Safety of MCS AlexClimb-is your personal security and comfort irrespective of, than we are engaged - we train muscles and we work technology of the movement in the sports hall and on the rock climbing wall, we make the way through snowstorm to top or we relax on golden sand of the Caribbean beach after hot day of trainings on rocks. The Safety priority - the main credo of School of mountaineering and rock-climbing of MCS AlexClimb.
AlexClimb Rule #2 - Leave No Trace
Closely interacting with Nature, working with the active programs in mountains, woods, lakes and rivers, we perfectly understand the importance of carefull and respectfull bahavior towards the Nature, for its resources. From the very beginning of our outdoor-activity we adopted rules of Leave No Trace technique - the standard of behavior of the person accepted in all the civilized world in relation to environment and especially - to the wild nature. After all on the relation of people to the nature near which they exist, itself can draw dalekoidushchy conclusions on the relation of these people to... Where and as we didn't travel - we don't reserve any garbage, we try to reduce whenever possible our influence on environment to a minimum. We clear earlier zagryazyonny tourist parking of the left garbage, we take out and we take out to utilization places that to us other people left there. We consider that only thus, at personal individual consciousness of each citizen, each tourist, climber or autotraveller, we will be able to keep the nature surrounding us in its state, natural, suitable for life, - in it pledge of the healthy future for ourselves and our children.
