GUIDDY EXPERIENCE
iWhat does it mean?
Roadto4000 – Castore 4228 m: The Perfect Ridge to the Sky
Gressoney-Saint-Jean, Valle d'Aosta · Valle d'Aosta•2 days · 1 night•Mountaineering · 4,230 m
Experience
High altitude experiences
Difficulty ?
PD (LITTLE DIFFICULT)
Where?
Valle d'Aosta, Valle d'Aosta
On your own?
Groups welcome too
Points
+25
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Guiddy Experience
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS CLIMB
To the summit of Castor
A white blade suspended between two valleys.
Group chat a couple of days before
The experience
Castor, 4,228 metres, is one of the most elegant four-thousanders in the Alps: a white blade dividing the Val d'Ayas from the Monte Rosa massif.
Day 1. We set off with the Guidders from Staffal: from larch woods to glacial moraines, up to Rifugio Quintino Sella, a historic eagle's nest facing the Rosa, where we sleep. Day 2. A start in the middle of the night for the ascent of Castor, along one of the most iconic glacial ridges in Europe.
5 reasons to come - the glacial ridge of Castor, among the finest in the Alps - the night at Rifugio Quintino Sella - the Monte Rosa massif all around - sunrise seen from above four thousand metres - a step forward in the Road to 4000 project
Who it suits This is glacier and ridge mountaineering: good preparation, experience of roped progression and a steady head.
Suspended between sky and snow: set off with the Guidders.
GOOD TO KNOW
Group chat
It opens a couple of days before: that's where the meeting point is confirmed and carpooling is arranged.
Free cancellation up to 45 days before
You pay nothing when you book.
Recommended age 18+
It's not a rule: it just tells you what kind of group to expect. You can still sign up if you're outside this range.
+25 Guiddy points
Your points grow with every outing, level you up and unlock discounts, exclusive outings and goodies.
Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
Included in the price.
Not suitable for dogs
This time your dog stays at home.
How hard is it, really
Mountaineering scale
PD (LITTLE DIFFICULT)
F
PD
AD
D
TD
ED
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Build up to altitude gradually: in the weeks before, do outings above 2,000 m, sleep well the two nights before and arrive hydrated. Headache or nausea on the way up: tell your guide straight away, it's not a weakness
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Crampons, ice axe, harness and helmet (rent them if you don't have them, your guide will show you how they work), warm gloves plus a spare pair, glacier glasses, high-factor sunscreen, a thermos and energy bars: we set off before dawn. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish
What's included in the price
✓INCLUDED
✓Certified Guide
✓Overnight stay with breakfast
✓Overnight and Half Board
✓Helmet and harness
✓Mountaineering equipment (on request)
✓Guiddy Coordinator (runs the group, Telegram included)
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Cable car, gondola or chairlift
✕Crampons (on request)
✕Packed lunch
✕Parking
✕Drinks
✕Tourist tax
✕Travel to Gressoney-Saint-Jean
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.
Itinerary
Two days, approximate times. The final details come in the group chat.
Elevation gain
1,500 m
Max altitude
4,230 m
Distance
15 km
Duration
2 days
Day 1
1 stop · from 10:00
Day 2
1 stop · from 05:00
Apple Maps10:00MEETING
Meeting point in Gressoney: Ascent to the Quintino Sella Hut (3,585 m)
Day 1: +850m elevation gain (Bettaforca → Sella) Staffal → Bettaforca (cable car) 10:00 – 10:10 AM We'll take a comfortable cable car ride up to Bettaforca (2,730m), saving time and energy for the trek ahead. 2️⃣ Bettaforca → Bettolina Pass 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM A technically straightforward trail leads us through rocky terrain and moraines, with stunning views opening up to the Monte Rosa massif. 3️⃣ Bettolina Pass → Quintino Sella Refuge 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM We'll arrive at the Quintino Sella Refuge (3,585m), settle in, relax, and perhaps take a short acclimatization hike. Dinner at the refuge. In the event that the Quintino Sella Refuge is fully booked, overnight accommodation will be at the Mezzalama Refuge.
How do you get to Gressoney-Saint-Jean? By carpooling.
You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group. Contacts and costs are agreed between you: a seat isn't guaranteed.
WHO'S ALREADY GOING
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.
What to bring
A list made for this route.
Mountaineering boots
RENTABLE
Food supply
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Crampons
RENTABLE
Warm gloves
REQUIRED
Waterproof shell
REQUIRED
Waterproof shell pants
REQUIRED
Poles
REQUIRED
Caschetto alpinismo
REQUIRED
Mountaineering ice axe
RENTABLE
Headlamp
REQUIRED
Sunglasses
REQUIRED
Guiddy tip: don't have full mountaineering kit (with crampons), mountaineering kit ( Helmet - Piccozza - harness) and crampons?
If you don't have it, rent it when you book: your guide will hand it over at the meeting point in Gressoney-Saint-Jean, already in your size.
Full mountaineering kit (with crampons)
choose it when booking
€25 / outing
Mountaineering kit ( Helmet - Piccozza - harness)
choose it when booking
€15 / outing
Crampons
choose it when booking
€10 / outing
Mountaineering helmet
choose it when booking
€5 / outing
Picke mountaineering
choose it when booking
€5 / outing
Mountaineering harness
choose it when booking
€5 / outing
Choose sizes and items when you book. You pay for the rental only if the outing is confirmed.
Guiddy Experience
Hikes picked for you
Guides and coordinators we pick for you.
Part of the Roadto4000 path: outings chosen by our team to grow step by step, from expert trails to the great peaks.
Upcoming Guiddy Experience outings
Picked for you, with guides and coordinators we choose.
Reviews
Only from people who completed the outing.
—
no reviews yet
Itinerary—
Organisation—
Overall experience—
The first reviews come after the outing
We only ask for feedback from people who were really there.
After your outing, you can share your story too.
Questions?
Do I need mountaineering experience?
⌄
No, but you need to be fit: 1,500 m of elevation gain over 2 days and 8 h of walking. You'll go over movement techniques and how to use the gear with your guide before setting off.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
How does gear rental work?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Book now, pay only if it goes ahead
MOST POPULAR
✓No charge now: the amount is only held on your card
✓Free cancellation up to 45 days before
✓You're only charged once the group is confirmed, at 7 pm the evening before departure
✓Minimum not reached? No charge, nothing to do
Or pay straight away by card, PayPal, Satispay or Revolut. With Klarna you can also pay in interest-free instalments.
Still have questions? Message Ibex
Ibex is Guiddy's virtual ibex: it answers everything, 24/7. In two messages it tells you whether this climb is for you, how to get there and what to pack.
Message Ibex on WhatsApp
No commitment: we're happy to answer even just for advice.
