Starting a climb knowing it will take 17 hrs is no easy task, especially when it's up the 2nd highest mountain in the Alps, Dufourspitze - the highest peak on Monte Rosa.
We started from Zermatt, one of those places that should be at the top of your 'must visit' list in Switzerland, by taking a train some 1,000 meters up.
Our objective for the first day was what I consider to be one of the most beautiful hikes I've ever done in my life, a hike to the Monte Rosa hut.
This was the first time we had to cross a glacier BEFORE getting to our hut.
If you ask me, coming here for the hut alone would be worth the journey.
We started our ascent up Monte Rosa at 2AM and hiked through snow and ice for 6-7 hrs before we made it to the summit of Dufourspitze - a steep and airy summit, and one that wouldn't be forgiving if you slip.
By the time we made it to the train station on the return, it had been almost 17 hours. Funnily enough, similar to my ascent of Mont Blanc.
Our bodies were wrecked, but our spirits were at an all-time high.
My links:
► Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TraintoSummit
► Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/traintosummit/
► Our gear - https://www.lighterpack.com/r/h1g8ty