IAFL ascend the Pointe de Zinal
We were all filled with immense excitement as we looked forward to the long-awaited IAFL mountaineering weekend. However, our anticipation was matched by growing concern when, just days before our planned adventure, we studied the weather forecast during the IAFL pre-expedition meeting. As usual, the discussion turned to wildly creative backup plans, ranging from absurdly long one-push climbs to relaxing spa days. In the end, though, we decided to stick with our original objective: climbing the Pointe de Zinal.
The Pointe de Zinal is a 3790 meters high rocky peak that towers over the Val d'Anniviers, surrounded by some of the most legendary mountains in the Alps: the Matterhorn, the Dent d’Hérens, the Dent Blanche, and the Obergabelhorn. All of these — along with 78 other so-called "4000ers" — have already been summited by Alex. Eager to learn from his valuable experience, Nathalie, Lucas, Jozef, Timothée, and Fabio gathered in the main square of Zermatt, ready to haul their heavy mountaineering backpacks up to the Schönbielhütte. The packs weighed between 11 and 18 kilograms, depending on how much each person prioritized carrying comfort over extra snacks, dry clothes, or a wider selection of board games. On the way to the hut, we were welcomed in turn by sun, rain, wind, and fog — each making its presence known in its own way.
We were quite relieved to see the Schönbielhütte finally within reach, a welcome sight where we would take shelter for the night and regain our strength for the long day which awaited us.
Shortly afterward, Camilo — who had opted for a few extra hours of sleep in exchange for a faster solo approach — joined us, completing our expedition team.
Together, we spent the rest of the day eagerly trying to outwit each other in board games and indulging in the tasty luxuries we had hauled up with such effort, before heading to bed for a long, restful night.
The groggy 4 a.m. breakfast conversations made it clear that, for most of us, the night had been neither long nor restful. Many complained of having slept poorly or dealing with various other discomforts. Hardly surprised by this all-too-common occurrence, we set out into the dark and began gaining altitude, meter by meter. As we approached the top of the Kumme — a wide, scree-covered gully we had to cross before descending to the glacier — the sun began to pierce through the clouds.
Boosted by the beautiful views and the morning light, we set foot on the glacier and crossed it without major difficulties to reach the Col Durand.
At the Col Durand, the real challenges began: a wide-open bergschrund forced us onto the exposed summit ridge earlier than planned, a biting cold wind had most of us shivering, clouds rolled in and reduced visibility, and the start of the technical section significantly slowed our pace.
Undeterred by the conditions, we put hands and feet to the rock and, before long, were breathing in the well-earned summit air.
With rain forecasted to begin in just a few hours, we didn’t linger to enjoy the nonexistent summit view. Instead, we quickly began retracing our steps back to the hut.
Back at the hut, each of us was greeted by a well-deserved slice of cake. Camilo and Timothée quickly packed their bags and hurried down to Zermatt to catch their trains for the long journeys home. The rest of us were greatly relieved to be just a short hike away from collapsing into the comfort of Alex’s car for the ride back to Lausanne. After a close encounter with a recent rockslide, a stealthy detour along a mysteriously closed trail, and a final sprint to the kebab shop in Zermatt, we could finally say: mission successfully and gracefully accomplished. On to the next one!
