How fit do you need to be to climb Mont Blanc?

You need to be fit and fit in the right places! The summit day involves around 12 hours of almost constant exertion at high altitude. Whilst this is a generally tiring day there are also specific demands placed on your cardio-vascular system and leg muscles. This is best trained for by going hill / mountain walking or mountaineering. Working out in a gym is a lot better than nothing but is not a replacement for the real thing. The physical challenges of climbing Mont Blanc are often widely under estimated resulting in a lot of folk ‘running out of steam’ and having to turn around on the mountain. It is not uncommon for even very fit people like marathon runners to describe the summit day as the hardest thing they have ever done. Don’t be put off if you think you are ‘more of a tortoise than a hare!’. It is never necessary to go very fast on the mountain, more just to be able to keep moving for about an hour and a half at a time (before having a very brief drink / snack stop). It is hard to get a feel for the way the high altitude will effect you without actually trying it but be aware that it is extremely important to not get exhausted on the climb and completely run out of steam on the descent. So, in addition to a high level of general fitness, stamina and determination are also required to climb the mountain with some style and a decent safety margin.

How hard is the climbing on Mont Blanc? Do I need some mountaineering experience?

Via the 'normal route' the ascent is made on a rough rocky path, up to the Tete Rousse Hut and, in normal conditions, this should be a fairly straightforward walk. The next section leading to the Gouter Hut, often climbed in the dark, is steeper and involves some rocky or mixed (snow and ice on the rocks) scrambling sections. This is never hard ‘climbing’ but it is necessary to use your hands for the steeper sections and crampons are often worn, giving a fine mountaineering feel. This is the most technically challenging section of the route as, above the Gouter Hut the way ahead lies entirely on snow. The terrain up to the Vallot Reguge is mainly quite easy glacier walking whereas the impressive final sections of the ‘Bosses Ridge’ has some steeper snow slopes. These are sometimes icy and call for steady crampon work. The final narrow section of summit ridge is a little exposed but there is normally a good track and this provides a superb and fitting climax to reaching the summit. Climbing Mont Blanc from the Aiguille du Midi / Cosmiques Hut involves a longer and steeper ascent on snow and ice. There is one sustained steep snow or icy slope of about 60m to reach the shoulder on Mont Maudit and overall this is a more challenging route. The Italian route on Mont Blanc from the new Gonella Hut is generally not as steep as this ‘3 Monts Route’ but is very long and passes through some big glacier country giving a serious overall feel to the route. There are many other routes up the mountain but they are all technically harder than the main three mentioned here and all require a lot more mountaineering skill to climb. Whilst, on the normal routes the technical difficulties are not great it is very strongly recommended that you have a good level of experience climbing in crampons and travelling roped together on a crevassed glacier as well as the more general mountaineering skills of looking after yourself and navigating. If you don't have this experience but hire a Mountain Guide to run a full Mont Blanc course (usually at least 6 days) you can usually develop sufficient skill at the start of the course to go on and climb the mountain with the Guide.

Tips for staying in a mountain Hut

Keep your personal gear well organised and arranged according to the system of the hut eg Ice Axe, trekking poles & boots stored in the boot room. Crampons & other technical gear can stay in your pack which goes to the sleeping room as long as they are well packed away. Sort your equipment ready for the morning the afternoon / early evening before. Don’t leave it until the morning or late in the evening when people are trying to sleep. Have your head torch handy for entering / leaving the communal sleeping room without turning the lights on. Identify your allocated bed on arrival, lay out the blankets and leave some personal gear on the bed to indicate to other hut users that it has been taken! Get up promptly in the morning, fold blankets & remove all items from the room. Other people may be staying in bed & having a later breakfast. In the event of not sleeping well due to the altitude / temperature / snoring etc try to relax and just rest as much as possible!

Additional Items to Take to a Mountain Hut

Headtorch Earplugs! Very light silk / polypro sheet sleeping bag liner Plenty of cash to pay the bill for you (usually around 45-60 euros but can be more for example on Mont Blanc) and the Guide (usually around 30-45 euros) Alpine Club membership card if you have one Very little else – keep your bag as light as possible! Toilet bags / bathroom products are not required as invariably there are very limited washing facilities.

Do I need any specialist mountaineering equipment in addition to my hill walking gear?

Yes. You will need good quality alpine mountaineering boots suitable for taking crampons and warm enough for climbing in snow in temperatures well below freezing. You will also need, crampons, a harness, ice axe, helmet and rope. To state the obvious, you also need to know how to use it all!

Climb The Eiger 3970m | High Mountain Guides

The colourful history of the Eiger brings this mountain, like few others, in to the popular domain and means it is both famous and notorious not just with mountaineers but with the public at large. A lot of the Eiger’s fame comes from its enormous, steep and imposing north face, the Eigerwand. Less well know but equally of high interest and greater accessibility to the mountaineer are the Eiger’s fine summit ridges.

Our 5 day Climb The Eiger course warms up with 2 training climbs in Chamonix before heading East for an adventure in the Bernese Oberland, the superb mountain range in the Swiss Valais Alps with the Eiger at its heart…

2023 Climb The Eiger Dates & Prices

Climb the Eiger North Face

Latest Eiger Conditions

Course Aims

Climb two of the classic ridges on the Eiger and thus make a fine traverse of the mountain
Warm up with two classic alpine climbs based in the Chamonix Valley
Climb a famous 4000m peak of the Swiss Bernese Oberland, like the Jungfrau or Monch
As the approach to the Mittelegi Hut is an alpine climb itself we aim to climb 5 alpine routes in 5 days

Andy enjoying the benefits of several years of mountain training coming together – and climbing well on the physical and technical South Ridge of the Eiger

5 Day Climb The Eiger Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary based on good weather. It may be necessary to change the programme to make best use of local mountain conditions.

Pre-Course fitness & mountaineering training and then, if you have the time, some training and acclimatisation in the Chamonix Valley for a few days before the course starts. We can offer advice on how to get the most out of these pre-course elements & please see our UK Matterhorn training weekend courses for adding another great element to your build up.

Chris on the superb limestone Mittellegi Ridge on the Eiger with the Shreckhorn and Finsteraarhorn beyond.

Days 1 & 2: Complete two training & acclimatisation climbs based in the Chamonix Valley. The exact climbs will be decided close to the time according to weather & conditions and based on your experience and aspirations. These climbs will include steep rock, ice and snow to prepare for the terrain on the traverse of the Eiger. Examples are the Aiguille du Peigne (3009m) in the Chamonix Aiguilles, Left Edge Route on Mont Blanc du Tacul and many other Chamonix classics. Check our Chamonix Mountaineering Gallery for more information.

Cloud spills over the (old) Mittellegi Ridge on the Eiger with the North Face shrouded in mist and the South Face completely clear.

Days 3 & 4: The Ascent of the Eiger. An early start for the drive to Grindlewald which is followed by the spectacular train ride up the Jungfraujoch railway. We disembark at a tiny station in the bowels of the Eiger and make our way along the technical ascent up to the spectacularly positioned Mittelegi Hut. After an evening of relaxing Swiss hospitality we make an early start next morning to climb the Mittelegi Ridge and descend the South Ridge to the Monchsjoch Hut. A long day! If conditions are snowy we may opt to climb the South Ridge instead.

During a traverse of the Eiger via an ascent of the Mittellegi Ridge and descent of the South Ridge.

Day 5: Climb the Monch, Jungfrau or Gros Fiescherhorn from the Monchsjoch Hut. Another classic days mountaineering on a Bernese Oberland 4000m peak depending on the weather and energy levels remaining after the Eiger. Take the Jungfraujoch train back to Grindlewald and return to Chamonix for evening celebrations.

Guiding High On The Jungfrau In The Swiss Valais Alps

Who Can Climb The Eiger?

The mere sound of this mountains name “The Eiger” tells you that this is not a beginners peak! This ascent is therefore only suitable for folk with previous rock climbing and mountaineering experience. Confidence and competence is required with crampons and ice axe and climbers should be capable of seconding steep rock pitches in mountain boots (Alpine IV, UK Severe, U.S. 5.6) wearing a rucksack. The summit day can be quite long (9-12 hours) and therefore good fitness, stamina and the abillity to concentrate on exposed terrain when tired are all also important. Further training in these skills along with swift alpine rope work will be given at the start of the week but it is essential that folk have proven competence in all these fields already. Please get in touch to discuss your experience levels or, if you are not sure, why not complete one of our Chamonix mountaineering courses beforehand?

Lost in a sea of cloud, limestone and Eiger…Chris on the Mittellegi Ridge.

Peter Little, Eiger Climber, July 2015

Rob, I had an amazing time, and yes I’m over the moon about summitting the Eiger – and of course getting back down safely. Paul was great – a wonderful mix of knowledge, skill, experience and measured patience, which helped me enormously. I learned a great deal too. The commitment to helping me achieve my goals and flexibility to making this happen all played a part in making it a success. Warm Regards, until the next adventure….

Andy taking in the North Wall atmosphere on the delicate traverse high on the South Ridge of the Eiger.

Climbing The North Face Of The Eiger

We often get asked about guiding the North Face of the Eiger and what sort of preparation and mountain skills are required for people with this goal. How fit do you need to be? How tough & experienced from other alpine climbs and how long does it take to develop all this experience?

North Face Of The Eiger From Kleine Scheidegg. The Mittellegi Ridge is out of site behind the left hand skyline and the right hand skyline forms the South Ridge descent and traverse to Monchjoch Hut as per our itinerary

In reality the preparation for an ascent like this is not a ‘box ticking’ exercise but moreover a case of building solid skills in a wide range of mountaineering areas. Once these are developed they need consolidation on other tough high mountain alpine climbs & north faces. Only then will the alpinist emerge…. Someone who not only possesses high level skills from technical rock, ice & mixed climbing but also has the toughness & cool headedness to deliver them in a high & exposed mountain arena where fatigue, fear, dehydration & hunger are constant companions!

Mike on ‘The Traverse Of The Gods’, Eiger North Face

As discussed these skills all merge in to each other & large mixed alpine faces are amazing alpine training venues in that they demand a multitude of mountain tac tics, skills and physical & personal traits just to get to the top of them! However here is an attempt to isolate some of the required skills and assess how they may be acquired:

Good general mountaineering movement skills gained from many trips in to the mountains and including tough walking over broken terrain; rocky scrambling; use of crampons and one ice axe. Experience of this can be gained on classic alpine ‘pd’ terrain or Scottish grade I-II routes.
Rock climbing skills, seconding up to at least F6b / UK E2 with rock climbing shoes on and at least F5c / UK HVS with mountain boots and a pack on.
Very solid & efficient rope work skills as well as the ability to manage all other mountain equipment effectively & swiftly. An ability to look after yourself in terms of temperature regulation, hydration & fuelling and to be able to do all this without it slowing the pace of the climbing team.
Very solid cramponing on ‘classic alpine north face terrain’ eg 50-65 degree snow & ice and to have the fitness & muscular endurance to do this for miles on end with a big pack on. This experience is best gained through other alpine routes & smaller north faces. Examples would be routes on Chamonix’s Triangle du Tacul and other smaller North Faces like the Tour Ronde, Gran Paradiso, Les Courtes, Aiguille du Chardonnet & Midi etc.
A solid skill level with 2 technical axes on steep ice & mixed ground eg WI 5 & M5+ / Scottish VI gained from technical alpine routes – eg some classic Chamonix Goulottes; hard Scottish winter routes from grade IV upwards but at least some seconding of Scottish grade 6 pitches. Some dry tooling routes, especially on limestone to simulate a similar style to the Eiger would also be useful.
The ability to climb steep broken or technical rock passages in crampons is also an essential skill on the Eiger ascent. This is best gained from lots of general alpine mountaineering & technical mixed climbing Scottish style winter mixed routes & dry tooling practice.
Obviously great fitness is required for an ascent of the Eiger north face but, unless we are trying to emulate Ueli Steck (which we are not!) then this is more of an endurance / diesel engine style fitness. Blistering ground speed is not required but the ability to maintain a steady & efficient pace for several days on the go without drastically fatiguing is critical. This must be achieved despite the possible additional factor of spending a night or several bivis on the face. The art of making yourself comfortable on a small, cold & exposed ledge for the night is another skill that needs practice therefore!

Like many hugely rewarding ascents & achievements, success on the Eiger Nordwand is likely to come as a result of a long & tough series of pathways of preparation. Even then there still requires a temporal alignment of good conditions, great weather & a partner who is available and as fit, well trained & motivated as you are. Good luck….but more to the point, good training and do get in touch if we can help with your personal Eiger training plans and arrange some alpine climbing with us. Having done a few routes together we can then advise you on a training programme to be able to attempt the face.

Mike high on the North Face of the Eiger during an autumn ascent in great conditions.

In the meantime watch our inspiring short film of a one day ascent of the 1938 route on the Eiger North Face by High Mountain Guides staff Rob Jarvis & Mike Brownlow.

Eiger Traverse Equipment List

Please refer to our Matterhorn equipment list which has the same equipment requirements as for the Eiger traverse, eg light & neat summer alpine mountaineering boots, more precise than we would ideally recommend for Mont Blanc where slightly warmer boots are preferable.

We also have an Eiger North Face equipment list here although this was from 2009 so some things may be a little out of date now:

Eiger North Face Kit List

2023 Course Dates & Prices

Our course includes 5 climbing / guided days plus the inclusions listed below

Courses are run in July, August & early September. Get in touch to discuss your own dates to arrange a private guiding arrangement.

Max Guide to client ratio is 1:2 for days 1 & 2 and 1:1 for days 3-5

1:1 for the full 5 days is ideal!

Cost

£2450 per person based on 2 guests sharing a guide for days 1 & 2 and 1:1 guiding for days 3-5

£2895 based on an individual booking with 1:1 guiding for days 1-5

What’s included in the Price?

Our courses are priced on a ‘guiding only’ basis which means you pay the exact cost price for all other expenses like hotels, mountain huts and lift passes.

What’s included?

5 full days mountain guiding with an IFMGA Mountain Guide
Course planning. A tailor made itinerary and booking of mountain huts
Car transport during the course
Discounted mountaineering hire equipment and boots if required

What’s not included?

Valley accommodation. This course is based in Chamonix and a variety of accommodation options are available. Please see our Chamonix Accommodation Notes with overnight rates starting at C. 20 euros per night for guest house style accommodation through to 5* Hotel options.
Mountain huts & lift passes, for you and the guide(s). Swiss huts are around 80 CHF per night half board, guides costs is about half this.
Parking in Grindlewald approx 50CHF for 3 days and the brilliant but very expensive train to Jungfraujoch, 214 CHF per adult plus 107 CHF for the guide.
Your personal mountaineering equipment – see our alpine mountaineering kit list and options for mountain equipment hire.
Flights and transfer from the airport to Chamonix.
Lunches, extra drinks, snacks etc during the course
Insurance
Total additional expenses are about 500€ for the Chamonix part based on 3 nights hotel accommodation 2* hotel single room half board (about 110€ per night) and use of lifts on 2 days. The Swiss part will be about 700 CHF for parking, train costs and hut nights for you and your guide.

Pulling On The Fixed Ropes On A Section Where The Route Traverses Onto The North Face

Latest Eiger Conditions

Please check the comments boxes below for any recent reports from the Eiger. If you have been on the Mountain yourself recently please send us a conditions report so we can add it here….

11 August 2022, Eiger Traverse Via Mittellegi & South Ridge

Good dry conditions for an enjoyable ascent to, and stay at, Mittellegi Hut followed by the traverse of the Mittellegi Ridge in ascent and descent of South Ridge / traverse of the Eigerjoch en route to Jungfraujoch in descent. Report here:

11 August 2022, The Traverse Of The Eiger🇨🇭

3 August 2022, Very Dry & Fast Conditions For Mittellegi & South Ridge Eiger

Very enjoyable 9.5 hour round trip on the South Ridge of the Eiger from Monchjoch Hut with full report and pictures here:

3 August 2022, The South Ridge Of The Eiger

12 August 2021, Still Snowy But Decent Conditions For Strong Teams

Teams now climbing again via both Mittellegi and South ridge with some good conditions reported for the snowy sections – but more delicate, with crampons on lower down than normal for this time of year on the lower rocky sections. Still clearing in the current hot weather.

23 July 2021, Slow Start To Summer – But Mittellegi Hut Now Open & Good Conditions

After a very snowy and thus slow start to the summer the Mittellegi Hut is open, in theory at least for the summer season ahead. Conditions are still quite snowy but there are teams climbing the Mittellegi and South Ridge reporting good conditions.

3 March 2021, Eiger North Face Receiving Plenty of Ascents

The long period of stable late winter weather has continued and numerous teams have been climbing the 1938 route on the North Face in relatively dry winter conditions.

17 September 2020, Mittellegi Hut Closed But Still Good Conditions For The Eiger Traverse

Overall good conditions for the extended traverse from the Eismeer access station on Jungfraujoch as the Mittellegi Hut is closed although there is a small winter room option. Some snow and ice still remaining in places on the fixed ropes but crampons only required for the final snowy section of the Mittellegi Ridge, not at all on the descent of the South Ridge but then required again for the traverse across to the Glacier. Some big holes in the glacier on the final descent / re-ascent! to Monchjoch hut but a good track and this hut is open and under new management!

24 August 2020, Reports of good conditions for the Eiger Traverse

We shared our route with a Grindlewald Guide yesterday who said there were currently very good conditions on the Eiger for the traverse via the Mittellegi and South Ridges. Lots of teams have been climbing it over the last few days and several teams we know heading there today.

3 September 2019, Fresh Snow On The Eiger & Hut Closed For A Day Or 2 – But Otherwise Good Conditions.

Monday’s storms delivered more than a dusting of fresh snow above the Mittellegi Hut and around the Oberland in general. Whilst the hut has shut for a day or 2, the good conditions should return quite quickly if the sun comes out for a bit. Temperatures do look cooler than they have been for much of the summer so far, but it’s not fully autumn yet either!

4 August 2019, Eiger Traverse….Train To Train, After The Matterhorn The Previous Day!

Great effort from Alberto & our Canadian Guest Jon to pack this last climb of his ‘Mission Impossible’ trilogy in just before the poor weather arrived….

Jon on the North Face fixed ropes on the Mittellegi Ridge on the Eiger. Photo Alberto di Guili

4 August 2019, Eiger Matterhorn, Dufour, Mont Blanc – Early August Alpine Mountaineering Conditions

22 July 2019, Swift & Quite Dry Conditions For Eiger Traverse

With the south face now mainly stripped of snow and the Mittellegi Hut open, high season is in full swing on the Eiger and teams have been making the traverse via the relatively dry Mittellegi & South Ridges. We have various teams heading that way over the next few weeks on our Mission Impossible programme.

12 August 2018, Good Conditions & Great Weather For Aller Retour On Eiger South Ridge

Having already delayed the ascent by several days due to the storm last week, a weather window presented itself for today, but the Mittellegi hut was already full as it was Saturday night. What to do!? An aller retour from the Monchjoch Hut gave an enjoyable 5 hours of climbing up and 4 hours in descent for Helen and Mike. A great result after Helen did our Matterhorn training course and Matterhorn ascent this time last year.

Helen climbing the South Ridge of the Eiger en route to the summit. Monch & Jungfrau beyond.

5 July 2018, Mittelleggi Hut Open For The Weekend & Decent Conditions For Eiger Traverse

The Mittellegi Hut was open last weekend and will be opening again this weekend and continuously beyond that if weather & conditions allow. The Grindlewald Guides company reported ascents of the Mittellegi Ridge last weekend and the traverse completed via the descent of the South Ridge.

3rd August, Hut Open, Teams Climbing, Snowy Summer Conditions

After a long snowy start to the season the Mittellegi Hut is finally open to welcome climbers and teams are traversing the Eiger via the Mittellegi and South Ridge descent. The guardian at the hut was reporting reasonable conditions, plenty of snowy on the route, on both ridges unlike last years heat wave, but decent conditions.

The superb final snow crest of the Mittellegi Ridge that leads to the summit of the Eiger.

30th June 2016, Snow Conditions Prevail On The Eiger – Mittellegi Hut Still Shut

Snowy conditions remain on both the Mittellegi Ridge as well as the South face and approach to the Mittellegi Hut thus the hut remains closed in the short term and will need at least a full week of warm sunny weather, possibly more, before the hut opens. Hopefully conditions will improve in July and the summer season for Eiger traverses will commence!

24 September 2015, Mittellegi Hut Closed For The Season, Snowy Conditions On Monch & Jungfrau

Recent early autumnal snow falls have made conditions difficult on the Eiger’s Mittelleggi Ridge and means the hut will now be closed until summer 2016. As usual this will be once the main build of snow has been stripped from the South Face approach to the hut and the Mittelleggi and South Ridges are once again practical to make the traverse. The snowy conditions are of course more useful on the Monch & Jungfrau normal routes and whilst these have not been climbed in the recent stormy weather, once this snow settles, perhaps this weekend, ascents will once again be made.

27 August 2015, Excellent Conditions For The Eiger Traverse

Good conditions for the ascent of the Mittelleggi and descent of the South Ridge. Generally very dry with virtually no snow on the South face, some big but avoidable crevasses on the glacier approach and a steep but bolted entrance pitch to leave the glacier and begin the approach to the Mittelleggi Hut.

The route itself was mainly totally dry with the snowy traverses later on being in good shape and not icy. The summit snow ridge is short and only the last 10 mins or so required crampons. A good outing but stormy weather next morning at Monchsjoch Hut next morning sent the team scuttling down to the station rather than climbing the Jungfrau!

The traverse of the Eiger…Mittellegi Hut on the ridge lower right and then the rocky Mittellegi crest leads to summit before the South Ridge descent to Eigerjoch and continuing technical terrain to reach the glacier and weary journey to Monchjoch Hut!

22 July 2015, Eiger North Face Via Ferrata, Eiger Traverse & Geneva Pillar

We enjoyed a softer option than usual for climbing on the Eiger today! The Rotstock Via Ferrata takes an enjoyable, short and pretty easy line up through the North Face of the Rotstock, the lump of rock (2663m) on the lower right side of the main North Face. This route is easily accessed by a pleasant 45min walk along the Eiger trail from Eigergletscher Station on the Jungfraujoch railway. The route is easy to follow and takes a series of ladders, rocky ramps and ledges, mainly with Via Ferrata cable to clip into, and takes an atmospheric route to the great viewpoint at the huge cross on the summit of the Rotstock. The descent is by direct loose rocky ledges and short sections of fixed rope (with painted way marks) back down to Eigergletcher in around 30mins. This makes a pleasant short mountain activity on the way in to the high Oberland via the railway.

We met one strong team who had climbed the Geneva Pillar (7a) on the North Face (reported as hard and bold!) but they avoided the upper 4-5 pitches of cracks as they were wet after recent storms.

Many teams are traversing the mountain at the moment via the Mittelleggi Ridge and down the South Ridge round to Monchsjoch Hut and generally climbing the Monch or Jungfrau the next day.

The technical rock section on the approach to the Mittellegi Hut. Easier if there is high snow volume on the glacier!

July 10th 2015, Mittelleggi Hut & Ridge Open!

In stark contrast to the wet & cold summer of 2014 the last few weeks here in the northern Alps have been sunny and hot. HOT! This has rapidly stripped back the winter / spring snow on the ridge and the Grindlewald Guides are now reporting that the Mittelleggi Hut is open and teams are traversing the Eiger via this hut and down the South Ridge to Monchsjoch Hutte.

Also in Bernese Oberland news – teams have been climbing the normal routes on the Monch & Jungfrau in good conditions although starting early to avoid the considerable heat & soft snow later in the day.

Early September 2014 – Still Snowy Conditions for Eiger Traverse & Hut Closed

The constantly cool & showery conditions through out July and the first part of August have left the Eiger in an unusually snowy summer state. After very few ascents of the mountain the Grindlewald Guides company have closed the Mitteleggi Hut with a likely re opening date of July 2015! There remains a winter room option at the Hut but with snowy conditions on the South face & ridge line itself neither the approach or traverse are in normal late summer conditions. Contact the Grindlewald Guides company for any more up to date info.

6th June 2014, Mittellegi Ridge Very Snowy

The Mittellegihütte on the Eiger is still closed as usual at this time of year and reports from Grindlewald are of lots of early summer snow on the ridge. Folk usually start climbing the South Ridge first as it strips of snow much more quickly and has a safer approach. More details to follow as the season unfolds…

25th July 2013, Perfect Conditions for the Eiger Traverse…

Notes from an Eiger Traverse 25/7/13.

Mittellegi hut approach (2hours):

The traverse into the hut was made in good conditions both on the glacier, well filled with snow, and on the terraces traversing the south face, clear of snow.

(Hut opened on 15th July.)

Mittellegi Ridge (4 hours hut to summit):

Fine conditions. Ridge mainly dry rock lower down. Decent stiff snow in the good track on the upper snow ridge. Bit of a cornice on S side.

South Ridge (5 hours summit to Monchjoch Hut):

Again, good conditions with dry rock on the ridge & decent snow with a good track where required.

Jungfraujoch railway – Eiger traverse ticket (Grindlewald Grund – Eismeer + Jungfraujoch – Grindlewald Grund) = 191 Swiss Francs for 1 adult + 1 guide.

Mittellegi Hut:

Cost:

Bed night per person: 30 Swiss Francs

Dinner, breakfast & tea for flask: 40 Swiss Francs per person

No discount for Guides

18th June 2013, Heavy snow on the Eiger delaying opening of Mittelleggi Hut

The Grindlewald guides office are currently reporting poor / dangerous conditions across much of the Eiger and that the opening of the Mittelleggi Hut is on hold until further notice and until some of the massive amounts of winter snow starts to melt! Current weather across the Alps is now very warm with a freezing level above the summit of the Eiger & rain forecast for high up too – this should at least strip some of the snow away! More details to follow & please add any further relevant info if you have any via the comments button below.

1st August 2012

Great day traversing the Eiger in near perfect conditions. Busy hut – due to Swiss national day – but all very sociable and not a problem on the route, teams found their own pace and all enjoyed the traverse via the South Ridge. An excellent days alpine mountaineering & well done to Matt, Martin and fellow guide Mark Thomas for a swift & stylish traverse.

October 2010, Eiger North Face, Mittelegi Ridge & SW Face Descent

Superb conditions on all the above routes on the mountain. We climbed the 1938 route in a day from Kleinne Scheidegg (with a bivvi on the Mittelegi Ridge). Stiff snow ice on the first, second and ‘White Spider’ ice-fields. Mainly dry rock on the steeper crux sections including difficult and quartz cracks. A bit of snow on the brittle ledges but still climbed fine in bare hands. Good snow with a track on the upper face. The Mittelegi Ridge had excellent stiff snow as did the whole of the descent route which was completed from the top of the face to the Eigergletscher path in an hour and a half over the summit.

Rob Jarvis & Mike Brownlow