can keep your sac weight acceptable – nothing spoils a good walk more than having unwanted kilos piled on your back.
Waterproofs are essential, and a waterproof cover for your sac is a good idea. Ankle-high gaiters are the coolest for summer, and are just for use on the glaciers to keep the snow out of your boots. Gloves and fleece hat will complete the cold-weather ensemble.
The rucksack does not need to be huge, especially if you're planning on using huts. However, it does need to be comfortable, and for trekking it's best to have a sac with a padded hip-belt.
Boots can be lightweight so long as they take crampons. The sole is hugely important – it's amazing how a worn sole affects your grip on all sorts of terrain.
Instep crampons are a lightweight alternative for this type of trek
Assuming the weather will be mainly sunny you need to go prepared. At altitude those UV rays are that much stronger as you're higher up and there is less pollution to protect you. A sunhat, sunglasses and suncream are definitely called for.
Sheet sleeping bags are highly recommended for huts (and are a requirement in Italian huts).
Glacier gear Glacier travel involves being roped up and having the necessary gear to get you or someone else out of a crevasse. Crampons are generally needed to walk on glaciers, but it may not be deemed necessary to have an ice axe each – one in the group may suffice. If you do not plan to ascend any peaks a pair of instep crampons is usually adequate for the Tour of the Matterhorn. These are considerably smaller than normal crampons and can be attached to all footwear.
First aid kit
Trekking poles
Water bottle
Snacks/picnic for the day
Camera
Compass
Maps
Glacier Travel
Roped up near the top of the Haut Glacier d'Arolla (Stage 5).
Glaciers introduce a whole new dimension to walking, notably that of the dangers of crevasses and the need to use crampons and possibly an ice axe. With the right equipment and, far more importantly, the right knowledge, these dangers can be reduced to an acceptable level. This knowledge can be gained in part by reading textbooks, but really there is no substitute for the real thing, either by going with experienced friends or by paying for professional instruction by qualified Guides. It is essential that you are trained in glacier travel before venturing onto glaciers during this trek (see Appendix V).
Glacier-travel guidelines
There are two types of glacier conditions:
Dry glacier – when the glacier has no fresh snow cover and is purely ice; all crevasses can be seen
Wet glacier – when fresh snow lies on the ice and hides some or all of the crevasses.
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