Surviving the Haute Route: A Journey Through the Unexpected

In July 2018, a friend and I embarked on a challenging trek along the Haute Route, a famous high -altitude trail through the Swiss Alps. We were well aware of the route’s demanding nature, but we love a challenge, felt pretty fit, the thrill of adventure beckoned us . Armed with a backpack, tent and optimistic mindset, we set off, ready to tackle steep ascents, unpredictable weather, and rugged terrain, What started as a confident journey turned into a test of resilience as we faced unexpected challenges that pushed us to our limits. This is an account of day 5 and 6 of our trip, where these limits were tested.

Stage 5: Le Châble to Cabane du Mont Fort

Length (km)	9
Duration (hours)	6
Highest Point (m)	2,455
Gain/Ascent (m)	1.636

We started the day feeling confident aiming to tackle the 1,636m ascent in good time, The weather was on our side—sunny and hot—so we dressed lightly with minimal layers, which suited me as I packed light to say the least! The route was decent, winding through small villages along narrow lanes, tracks, and footpaths with a few boulders thrown in for good measure, Despite the sweat, we managed the climb without any blood or tears.

As we neared the top, the weather took an unexpected turn, The sky darkened and it suddenly felt cold up there. We didn’t think much of it and decided to stay at the refuge instead of camping—the rocky terrain did not look too inviting to pitch a tent! The night in the shared dorm was uneventful, apart from the annoyingly loud snoring and the occasional fart. We both woke up feeling as rested as possible and excited about the next day’s hike. This excitement turned to trepidation when I looked out of the window, I was couldnt believe it—the ground was covered in snow, and it was pretty windy, though not unbearable. This was July we thought to ourselves; this ain’t right, it doesn’t snow in July, especially after a hot day!….. I guess anything goes in the mountains! Despite the craziness up here , we were keen to keep our momentum up So decided to carry on. We were the only walkers foolish enough to continue,we enjoyed the bravado and teased, to ourselves, the “fair-weather lightweights.”

Stage 6: Cabane du Mont Fort to Cabane Prafleuri

Length (km)	15.2
Duration (hours)	7
Highest Point (m)	2,925
Gain/Ascent (m)	1.100

Leaving the refuge, I quickly realised I was underprepared. I had nothing but a stick for a pole and not enough warm clothes. Luckily, I don’t feel the cold, and in terms of clothing I was okay—not so much with the lack of stability from not having poles. I regretted the arrogance I had in thinking I didn’t need poles. Still, I was excited to press on. By now visibility had quickly became an issue, and we struggled to follow the path. My mate’s GPS stopped working, and we ended up lost in the “Grande Désert”—an apt name for the vast, white expanse of snow and rocks that surrounded us. The snow kept falling, and soon we were in the midst of a blizzard with no landmarks in sight, It now dawned on me how dangerous our situation had become.

With the point of no return far behind us, (and no idea where the way back was) we had no choice but to carry on. We decided to move slowly and head toward the top in sort of diagonal movement , But about 30 minutes in, I slipped. The snow gave way beneath my feet, and with only a stick for support, I started to slide. Gaining speed, I managed to cling to a rock just in time. My mate hurried over and helped pull me back up, away from the edge. The adrenaline and cortisol kicked in sharpening my focus, No wandering mind now! Oddly enough I felt a deep sense of peace and control at that moment, I felt ready to face whatever came next, It’s hard to explain but now everything felt okay.

We made slow progress, but eventually, the blizzard subsided as we reached the top. The landscape had changed, and it felt like we’d been transported to a different world. Though the terrain was still technically challenging, and we still had no idea of our progress, it no longer felt life-threatening. After what seemed like an eternity of navigating this rocky expanse, we finally came across a Haute Route sign. Relief doesn’t even begin to cover it—we had made it.