Punta Gnifetti, Margherita Hut, All-Inclusive Guided Ascent

The Capanna Margherita Hut is considered a trip suitable for people with some previous experience on Alps glaciers, good confidence with the use of crampons and ice axe on steep slopes and hard/iced snow, in addition, of course, very good stamina, and excellent fit.

A good physical level and some previous experience in mountaineering activities are basic skills that it is better to have. In particular, it could be useful to have some confidence in progression with crampons on glaciers and some previous hiking ability, even on snow and ice, to be safe on steep and have no fear on the crampons, even on rock passages.

This is why we suggest having a 1-day introduction to mountaineering on a glacier if you are a beginner or have never been on a mountain over 3,500m. See the following link: https://www.explore-share.com/trip/1-day-glacier-travel-on-mont-blanc-beginner-program/

Regarding your fitness, a good workout in the months leading up to the trip is recommended in order to have great preparation for the mountain and so that you can experience the adventure to the fullest and not get too fatigued.

In the months leading up to the trip, we recommend consistent training to improve your endurance and your cardiovascular fitness (running, hiking, biking). When you confirm the trip, we will send you specific recommendations about the training.

The loan of the personal technical equipment is included in the tariff; the guide provides it on the day of departure, after the starting briefing. The gear for rental includes a mountaineering harness, straight-hand ice axe, and crampons.

In addition, the guide will bring the common safety gear, such as rope, ice screws, daisy chains, and carabiners.

All you need to check and bring is your personal mountaineering clothing, including technical mountaineering boots, waterproof, and rigid soles (please avoid bringing new ones you have never used before the ascent!). After your booking confirmation, we will send a complete and detailed list of recommended equipment and clothing and if you need anything for rent, we will recommend some shops where you can hire the necessary gear. Boots renting is around 20-22€/day, and trekking poles are 15€ per person.

Absolutely no porters are expected for this ascent. Each participant should bring a personal backpack and technical equipment, including a thermos for tea/water and energy bars/dried fruit and energy food for the trip.

We will take care of the accommodation booking that includes the overnight stay at the Gnifetti Hut / Città di Mantova Hut with half-board formula, which includes breakfast and dinner, but not the beverages/drinks or the extra meals for the clients and the Guide.

Any other extra meals and all the beverages (water, beer, sparkling beverages, etc.) are NOT included and have to be covered by the customers directly on the spot for them and for the Guide too.

A few days before the trip, the Guide will inform all participants about the weather forecasts and general conditions expected for the itinerary (temperatures, wind, snow conditions, etc.).

In case of bad weather, we will do our best to offer you an alternative program or move the date a few days later, depending on customer availability.

Yes, there are several special requirements that you need to consider for this trip. Here are some of them; please read them carefully before confirming the booking:

• It is strongly recommended to have rescue and research insurance; if you need one, after your confirmation, we can recommend some solutions suitable for you.

• There are no specific vaccine requirements for this trip, but it is always a good idea to check with your doctor or a travel clinic to make sure you are up to date on routine vaccinations. Also, there is no longer a need to provide proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or negative test results.

• We finally invite all non-EU citizens to inform themselves about specific permits to enter Italy.

For Margherita hut the guide-to-client ratio is 1:5. This is the maximum number in order to ensure your and the Guide's safety. If you are a group of more than 3 people, we have more Guides available to undertake the adventure.

The best time to do this ascent is from the end of May to the end of September. If conditions are good, the ascent could be done even till the end of October, by overnight staying at the winter hut; in this case, you have to plan to bring extra food with you (the winter hut has a wood stove, blankets, and crockery for the cook).

Yes, you can choose to book a private tour or decide to join a group to reduce the costs.

We have already confirmed and planned group trips, departing in 2024. Check the best date for you in our calendar.

Before confirming a group tour, please remember that you will share the ascent with other climbers who could have a different fit and previous experience. The guide will be responsible for the entire team and in any case or reason, it could guarantee the summit if only 1 participant has physical problems or isn’t enough fit to respect the timetable for the ascent and descent. The decision to share a trip with others to reduce the total costs requires accepting to be part of a team, in which adaptation and capacity for mutual support are essential requirements for all participants.

If you evaluate your fitness level and your technical skills as too low or inadequate to the abilities and efforts that this demanding ascent requires, you probably should take the PRIVATE trip, as the best option for you.

The meeting point is in Gressoney Staffal, at the bar Wunderbar, next to the lifts ticket desk, which is reachable by car from the Pont-Saint-Martin exit (Milan-Turin highway) in about 50 minutes, or by public bus service (Arriva company).

The meeting with the Guide on the first day will be in the early afternoon, around 2:00 pm (please remember to check the bus timetable in case you need to reach the meeting point by public transport).

The time back to the parking area on the second day is around 3:30-4:00 pm.

Yes, the ascent could be done even by young people (the minimum age is 14 years, depending on the fitness level and skills). They must be accompanied by at least 1 parent. We ask both parents to fill out and sign a release form for their children, with privacy consent and self-declaration of responsibility.

The hiring of the trek poles and the renting of the boots are NOT included. If needed, the renting of the boots has to be done by the customers before the trip to one of the shops in Gressoney. We will send you more details in case of need.

The costs for beverages and extra meals for the clients and the Guide are NOT included and have to be covered on the spots, sharing the guide’s fee between all the participants.

The transfer to the meeting point is NOT included.