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- Zinalrothorn
13,848 ft · Wallis Alps, Switzerland
Zinalrothorn
Zinalrothorn is a 13,848 ft peak in the Wallis Alps, Switzerland. The standard route is the Normal Route via SE Ridge: 13 mi, 8,573 ft of gain, AD-.
Zinalrothorn at a glance
- Elevation13,848 ft4,220 m
- RouteNormal Route via SE RidgeAD-
- Distance13 mi8,573 ft gain
- Time2–3 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul–Sep
- RangeWallis AlpsSwitzerland
Climbing the Normal Route via SE Ridge
From Zermatt, Switzerland, climb to the Rothornhutte (3,198 m), then summit by the SE ridge (AD-), widely held to be the finest rock 4,000er in the Valais on notably sound gneiss. The ridge passes the Gabel notch at 3,860 m, then gives sustained UIAA III climbing alternating with easier ground. It is shorter than its neighbours because the hut sits high, but the climbing is continuous and the descent is slow, so start early. Watch rockfall and cornices on the exposed crest. It is often traversed by combining the SW and SE ridges; budget 2 to 3 days.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (40–55 L)
Mountaineering Boots
Crampons
Ice Axe
Helmet
Harness
Rope
Carabiners
Belay Device- Prusik Cord
- Ice Screw
Base Layer
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Hardshell Pants
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Glacier Glasses
Sunscreen
Headlamp
GPS Device
Satellite Communicator
Water
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
Heavyweight Gloves
Goggles
Offline Maps
Power Bank
Whistle
Approach Shoes- Slings
- Nut Tool
- Cams / Nuts
What to watch for
- Technical climbing
- Steep exposure
- Knife-edge ridge
- Rockfall
- Loose rock
- Cornices
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- High altitude
- Extreme cold
- High winds
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Remote location
- Glacier travel
- Crevasses
- Altitude sickness
- Rapid weather shifts
Quests with Zinalrothorn
Alpine 4,000ersPeaks near Zinalrothorn
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Zinalrothorn?
Zinalrothorn is 13,848 feet (4,220 m) tall. It is in the Wallis Alps, Switzerland.
How does Zinalrothorn rank among the Alpine 4,000ers?
At 13,848 feet, Zinalrothorn is the 28th highest of the 82 Alpine 4,000ers. The highest is Mont Blanc.
How hard is it to climb Zinalrothorn?
The Normal Route via SE Ridge is graded AD- on the alpine scale, meaning fairly difficult: sustained snow, ice or rock that needs real climbing skills. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 13 miles with 8,573 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Zinalrothorn?
Most climbers plan 2–3 days for the Normal Route via SE Ridge, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Zinalrothorn dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger, crevasses on the glacier and exposed sections where a fall would be serious. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Zinalrothorn?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the Normal Route via SE Ridge for the snow and ice on the upper mountain, along with mountaineering boots that take crampons. Glacier travel also means a rope, harness and crevasse rescue skills. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.
Do you need to acclimatize to climb Zinalrothorn?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Zinalrothorn reaches 13,848 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.
When is the best time to climb Zinalrothorn?
The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Zinalrothorn with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list