Week in the Alps – Grand Combin?

Hi Mike,

I am not familiar with that particular area, but I looked it up both on your link and in my own Swiss Alps book. I only have a couple general recommendations for you. First know that if a route is decribed as “intermediate” and/or marked with Blue and White it is considered an alpine tour and you will need crampons, ropes and the necessary experience .  Even red and white routes involve hiking on what someone described as a scratch on the side of a mountain, where one slip could be the end. I don’t mean to scare you or deter you from your hike at all and it sounds like you have experience. I took my then 14 year old and twice we turned around from an intermediate route ( rated T3 but we didn’t even get to that part) because if she made one clumsy mistake she would have fallen 300 feet. I did not want to take that chance with her. This is just a heads up for understanding the levels of difficulty which are different from here . From what I read your hike would take you to several passes and places where one needs to be very steady and not afraid of heights. If your family has that down you are good to go. In general people is Switzerland are expected to find out on their own what the weather will be,what snow or ice conditions are etc. Trails don’t  close and  don’t have warning signs when conditions make them dangerous. If you incorporate this info in your preparations and route choices , you will be fine.

I also have a great book on the Swiss Alps by Kev Reynolds that you are welcome to borrow if you would like.

Mike,

Given Kat’s advice, if you are looking for an alternate route to consider, I can recommend the Haute Route (Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn).  Although it has vertical hiking over the 3000 ft per day in some places, my wife and I enjoyed it when we did it 4 years ago (and both about 60).  There are lifts that can be used on some of the more serious climbing days.  This hike lasted two weeks, and there were a few places that were narrow trails over steep slopes, but nothing technical.

There is also the popular TMB (tour mont blanc) which is a little less demanding going through France, Italy and Switzerland.

Kev Reynolds has tour books for both hikes.

Cliff

I did the Tour de Combins a few years ago; pretty straightforward – some snow on the higher passes so choose your time of year.

Did the Haute Route (walkers version) this year, that too is a fine route…but full of 3,000′ climbs.

Kat, Cliff and Ed, Thanks for the advice.  I will have to look harder at the Grand Combin and look at the walkers Haute Route.  What I have read so far about G.C. sort of matches what Ed says – passes and chances for snow but otherwise reasonable.

I am a little hesitant too about the Haute Route because of the potential for a lot of people on the trail (like the JMT in the summer).  On the other hand it is THE hike everyone talks about in the alps…

Thanks again!

-Mike