High Alpine 'Trek & Summit' weeks

ISM's Trek & Summit weeks are adventurous journeys on foot through the high Alps, building up to an ascent of a fine alpine peak (a 'trekking summit' which doesn't involve technical climbing). They are the perfect way for keen walkers to experience the high alpine environment of peaks, passes and glaciers and to learn basic mountaineering skills (without getting too far into the intricacies of 'technical' mountaineering).

Using our intimate knowledge of the Western Alps we have devised magnificent Trek & Summit routes through the main alpine ranges of Switzerland and the Gran Paradiso range in Italy, offering different ones each year. Each has its own character and highlights, and each one takes in at least one major peak which (although it involves no technical climbing) will provide the full experience and exhilaration of a high alpine summit and views to match any in the European Alps.

As well as being great alpine holidays in their own right, Trek & Summit weeks bridge the gap between hill walking and climbing, making them the perfect prelude to many of our mountaineering courses (where the knowledge, fitness and acclimatisation gained during the Trek & Summit week will be of great benefit).

The courses are mostly 5 days (6 nights) in duration. The first and last nights are at our hotel in Leysin and other nights are in high alpine huts, which these days are often more like simple hotels, offering great food, comfortable accommodation and washing facilities. To keep pack sizes to a minimum we take half-board at the huts and only carry food for picnic lunch.

On each Trek & Summit week we teach basic mountaineering skills such as the use of ice-axe and crampons and safe crossing of glaciers. ISM provides any technical equipment needed - you just need to arrive with suitable clothing and footwear (click here for High Alpine Trek Equipment page).

Itineraries. We have a number of tried and tested Trek & Summit itineraries which we rotate over a period of years to keep the programme fresh. Conditions alter from year to year, occasionally requiring us to vary the itineraries advertised.

Click here for Summer Programme / Course Planner