recommended route
Dom Ascent
-
/ Starting point the Dom hut (2'940 m)Photo: Zermatt Tourismus, Passion Fotografie -
/ Safely en route with a local mountain guidePhoto: Zermatt Tourismus, Alpin Center Zermatt
It was Canon Berchtold, who gave this peak its name when he undertook the first survey measurements of the Dom and Täschhorn peaks.
During the tour, one goes over strongly cracked glacier sections until the Festijoch. Once here, one makes a short descent to the Hohberggletscher. The trail then makes a large circle below the glacier calving. Since one climbs parallel to the crevices, great care must be taken. Below the summit, one comes to a large drift that one cannot recognise as such from the top. This must absolutely be avoided.
The requirements for this climb are excellent physical fitness, experience in using crampons and good acclimatisation. The climb takes about 6-7 hours from the Dom Hut. Once on the summit, the breath-taking panorama proves worth the effort; many have the feeling of overlooking the entire world. The descent to the Dom Hut lasts about 4 hours. But be careful: The way all the way back to the valley is long.
- Snow tour on the glacier and short rock climbing
- The overall difficulty of the tour is given as “WS” (less difficult)
- A mountain guide is strongly recommended
- Warning: glacier crevasses
Author’s recommendation
We recommend a guided tour with mountain guide who knows well the place. Further information and mountain guide agency: www.zermatters.ch
If you just want to experience what it is like to climb the Dom without having to climb the mountain yourself, you can do it with the “Mammut 360° Project”.
Crampons, climbing harnesses and helmets can be rented in different sport shops in the village Zermatt.
Safety information
- Plan every mountain tour carefully and adapt to participants’ fitness level as well as the weather and season.
- Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Appropriate clothing is therefore essential, along with adequate supplies of food and water. In uncertain weather, turn back in good time.
- Inform others of planned route, and whenever possible avoid going alone.
- Do not leave the marked routes; do not venture onto glaciers without a mountain guide.
- It is forbidden to walk on the ski pistes.
- Please be considerate to other walkers and to plants and animals.
- Take note of the warning signs drawing attention to the constant danger in river beds and along watercourses below dams and reservoirs.
Tip: “Be searchable”. Equip yourself with an additional RECCO rescue reflector*. Whether summer or winter. Available in our Online-Shop or our information desk.
*The additional reflector does not replace an avalanche beacon.
Tips and hints
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Ascent from the Dom hut - Dom
(Hiking time for the descente approx. 3 to 4h)
We recommend for this tour to book eventually a mountain guide who knows well the place.
Note
Public transport
By train to Randa: less than 3½ hours from Zürich airport or 4 hours from Geneva airport. Change at Visp onto the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (Matterhorn Gotthard Railway). From Visp, the railway leads through the Mattertal valley past idyllic small villages to Randa.Getting there
The drive from Visp to Randa takes about 30–40 min. The road leads through the wild and beautiful Mattertal valley.Parking
There is a public multi-storey car park by the railway station in Randa; simply follow the signs.Coordinates
Equipment
We recommend:
- Climbing boots with a profiled rubber sole suitable for use with crampons
- Helmet
- Climbing harness
- Crampons
- Headlamp
- Weatherproof clothing
- Ice axe
- Full-fingered gloves (poss. spare pair of gloves)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Thermos flask (warm tea is available at the hut) or drinking bottle
- Snack (high energy foods such as chocolate, dried fruit etc.)
- Backpack
- Extra layers of clothes
Important! Requirement: very good physical condition, proper altitude acclimatisation, hiking and climbing with crampons
Basic Equipment for Alpine Routes
- Layered, moisture wicking clothing
- Long, warm technical socks plus liners and spares
- 35-45 liter rucksack (with rain cover)
- Protection against sun, rain and wind (hat, sunscreen, water- and windproof jacket and suitable legwear)
- Lip protection (SPF 30+)
- Water- and windproof mountaineering jacket and trousers with ankle adjustment or separate gaiters
- Water- and windproof gloves plus thin fleece inner gloves
- Neckwear
- moisture wicking skull / knit cap
- Hiking poles
- Sunglasses
- Ample supply of drinking water and snacks
- First aid kit
- Blister kit
- Bivy / survival bag
- Survival blanket
- Headlamp
- Pocket knife
- Whistle
- Cell phone
- Cash
- Navigation equipment / map and compass
- Emergency contact details
- ID
Technical Equipment for Alpine Routes
- B2 or B3 mountaineering boots
- Climbing harness
- Climbing helmet
- Ice axes (basic or technical with hammer and adze as required)
- C2-C3 crampons with anti-balling plates (as required by route and to match boots)
- Single rope
- Half ropes
- Twin ropes
- Friend/cam 0
- Friend/cam 0.1
- Friend/cam offset 0.1-0.2
- Friend/cam 0.2
- Friend/cam offset 0.2-0.3
- Friend/cam 0.3
- Friend/cam offset 0.3-0.4
- Friend/cam 0.4
- Friend/cam offset 0.4-0.5
- Friend/cam 0.5
- Friend/cam offset 0.5-0.75
- Friend/cam 1
- Friend/cam 2
- Friend/cam 3
- Friend/cam 4
- Friend/cam 5
- Friend/cam 6
- Friend/cam 7
- Friend/cam 8
- Set of nuts
- Double set of nuts
- Small nuts
- Medium nuts
- Large nuts
- Nut tool
- Tricam(s)
- Ball nut(s)
- (Active) Camming device(s) for wider cracks such as the Gipsy
- Hexentric(s)
- Progress capture pulley(s) such as the Petzl Traxion
- Micro ascender(s) such as the Petzl TiBloc
- Pitons and hammer
- Set of ice screws
- Short ice screws
- Medium ice screws
- Long ice screws
- V-Thread tool
- 2x Harness tool holder such as the Ice Clipper or Caritool
- Quickdraws
- Locking device
Camping Equipment
- Tent (3- or 4-season)
- Stove (including fuel and utensils)
- Sleeping mat. Sleeping bag with suitable temperature rating.
- Food
- Toiletries and medication
- Toilet paper
Things to Bring if Staying in a Mountain Hut
- Toiletries and medication
- Quick-drying towel
- Ear plugs
- Sleeping bag liner
- Sleepwear
- Alpine club membership card if applicable / ID
- Coronavirus mask and hand sanitizer
- The 'basic' and 'technical' equipment lists are generated based on the selected activity. They are not exhaustive and only serve as suggestions for what you should consider packing.
- For your safety, you should carefully read all instructions on how to properly use and maintain your equipment.
- Please ensure that the equipment you bring complies with local laws and does not include restricted items.
Questions and answers
Would you like to the ask the author a question?
Rating
Photos from others