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Our journey path (as featured in
Treks in a Wild World)
Zay Harding travels the St Bernard Pass that links
Switzerland to Italy. Traverse his way up over 2000 metres
to the St Bernard Hospice - a haven for stranded hikers and
skiers since the 11th century.
Highlights
- Traversing the 3 hour journey to the hospice
- Staying the night in the Hospice
- Enduring the physical strains and threat of avalanche along
the way
- Meeting the famous St Bernard dogs
travellers tips
Ski touring is physically challenging and you should be in
top condition to participate. It is especially straining on
the arms and legs, where all the tension is focused. Always
go with an experienced guide who follows all safety tips and
has a good knowledge of avalanche precautions. Beware of blizzards
and potential white-out situations when you are climbing.
Did you know?
- The St Bernard Pass has been around since Roman times.
- The hospice gets over 20,000 visitors a year.
- St Bernards are no longer used for rescues, although Alsatians
are now employed. The retired St Bernards live in the hospice
during the summer, and are brought down the mountain for the
winter months.
- Alsatians are trained to sniff out climbers trapped in thick
snow.
- Avalanches usually occur in the afternoons and after
fresh snowfall. In the afternoon the snow has melted and can
become loose. |
