four-thousanders
DOM
Northwest flank (PD, II)
Südtirolalpin
IFMGA certified mountain and ski guides
South Tyrolean Mountain and Ski Guides Association
Email suedtirolalpin@gmail.com
Price from:
€1,800
for 1 person · lower price per person from 2 participants
Duration:
2 days
Dom – Normal route
The Dom above the Valais is a big four-thousander – above all, the tour is long and demands a lot of stamina.
4,545 m · Difficulty PD, II · 2 days · Valais Alps
Dom normal route: The Dom, pride of the Swiss mountains, may not be the highest point in Switzerland, but it is the highest summit standing entirely on Swiss soil. There may be peaks with bolder shapes, such as the Matterhorn or the Weisshorn, yet the Dom has no need to hide in that respect either.
It is actually surprising that this wildly glaciated summit, forbidding on all sides, has a “relatively” moderate ascent route. Calling it an easy four-thousander, however, would be going too far. The mere fact that the entire ascent has to be done under your own steam, without the help of a cable car, makes it a real test of stamina.
A wild, heavily crevassed glacier with large icefalls and overhanging seracs calls for good route-finding. The summit also cannot be reached without some rock, so a stretch of climbing is required at this great altitude. Although the technical difficulties are not that high and the flanks are not excessively steep, the overall demands of this fantastic tour add up to a serious and long undertaking.
If you are in good shape, the Dom is a summit objective that will fully live up to every expectation of a beautiful mountain.
INFO
Services
Included in the price:
- Complete organisation and guiding by an IFMGA certified mountain and ski guide
- All necessary reservations are made in advance
Additional costs for participants:
- 1 night with half board (Domhütte)
- Transfer to and from the meeting point
- Expenses (accommodation) for the mountain guide
- Individual tips
* Rental equipment (€10 per item)
Facts
Location:
Valais Alps
Best time of year:
July - mid-September
Duration:
2 days
Meeting point:
Randa - railway station
Requirements
Requirements:
- Excellent fitness for ascents of up to 1,500 vertical metres at high altitude
- If the tour is done in two days, there is also a descent of more than 3,000 vertical metres
- Sure-footedness
PRICE
Participants:
1 - 2 people
Price from
€1,800
for 1 person · lower price per person from 2 participants
Depends at short notice on conditions on the mountain
PROGRAMME
Day 1: To the Domhütte
We meet at the railway station in Randa. If you are arriving by car, there is parking in the multi-storey car park right next to it. After a short gear check, we begin the ascent to the Domhütte. Even on the first day, a scenic route takes us up many vertical metres to the hut, which we reach after a long approach. There we settle in and prepare at our leisure for the early start the next morning.
Walking time: 4.5 h | ↑ 1,550 m
⌂ Domhütte (2,940 m)
Day 2: Summit and descent
The alarm wakes us early. After a quick breakfast, we head out into the night. By the light of our headlamps, we climb towards the Festijoch. On the way, the reward for getting up early is a sunrise that makes you forget a great deal. Once we have overcome the rock band up to the Festijoch, we continue across the glacier with its large icefalls towards the summit. After a long climb, we reach the Dom. The highest mountain lying entirely on Swiss soil offers a tremendous panorama, with the great peaks of the Valais Alps all around. This is followed by the long descent back via the Domhütte all the way down to Randa.
Total time: 13 h | ↑ 1,700 m | ↓ 3,200 m | Difficulty: PD, II
Info: When booking, you can also request a second night at the Domhütte. This lets you split the very long descent over two days. I will be happy to book this additional night for you.
Any changes to the programme that may become necessary for various reasons (weather, conditions, availability of accommodation, etc.) are always made in consultation with the participants.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Who is the Dom via the normal route suitable for?
The Dom is suitable for fit mountaineers with experience on alpine tours. Technically, the route is not extremely difficult, but the length of the tour and the very long descent call for stamina and sure footing on rock and glacier.
Can the long descent be split up?
Yes – for many people this is actually a very good solution. On request, a second night at the Domhütte can be planned in. This makes the tour much more relaxed, and after the summit you no longer have to complete the entire descent to Randa in one go.
What equipment do I need for the tour?
You will receive the detailed packing list with your confirmation email. Above all, you need suitable mountaineering boots and warm clothing for the early start. Technical equipment can be rented from Südtirolalpin for a small wear-and-tear fee.
Looking for a different tour? Send us your request
MOUNTAIN GUIDES FROM SOUTH TYROL
# DOM # NORMAL ROUTE # MOUNTAIN GUIDE