Alpine Challenge

4 weeks

open to grades 9-12

Overview

On the Alpine Challenge, we’ll backpack the best of the Alps on two world famous routes: the Alpine Pass Route across the Bernese Oberland and the High Route from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn.

We’ll start in world-famous Gstaad with three days of hiking before we head out on a nine-day backpacking trip across the spectacular Bernese Oberland. We’ll hike by Oeschinensee, the most picturesque mountain lake in the Alps, under waterfalls that tumble down the sides of the steep-walled Lauterbrunnen Valley and over passes buttressed by giant glaciers. At the end of the hike, we’ll celebrate in Grindelwald at the base of the north face of the Eiger.

From Grindelwald, we’ll train to Chamonix, France, and start our second backpacking trip on the High Route from Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe, to the Matterhorn. For 11 days, we’ll tackle high mileages and challenging terrain. At the end of our hike, we’ll walk triumphantly into Zermatt. Our final challenge will be a hike to the top of the Mettelhorn where we’ll look across a landscape of snow and ice dominated by the crooked spire of the stunning Matterhorn—a fitting high point and end to our four weeks on the Alpine Challenge.

“The Alpine Challenge was a fun, challenging, learning experience.” Otto Berkes, Seattle, Washington

Highlights

Cross the Bernese Oberland on the Alpine Pass Route
Backpack the High Route from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn
Challenge hike to the top of the Mettelhorn (11,000 feet) above Zermatt at trip's end
Visit Gstaad, Grindelwald & Zermatt

Grade

For students who will finish grades 9-12 in June 2012.

Multiple sections are grouped by grades.

Call us (413-458-9672) to check on current availability.

Challenge Level

10 (1-10, 1 is easiest)

Start and End Location

Starts and ends in Geneva, Switzerland.

Accommodations

11 nights of frontcountry camping. Four nights in Gstaad at trip start, two nights on the Alpine Pass Route, one night in Chamonix between hikes and four nights on the High Route. Most have flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities.

Five nights of backcountry camping. Two nights on the Alpine Pass Route and three nights on the High Route.

Seven nights in alpine huts: four nights on the Alpine Pass Route and three nights on the High Route. These are indoor, dormitory style accommodations; normally long rows of bunk beds with mattresses and pillows. Guests can either rent sheets (sometime required) or use their sleeping bags. Dinner and breakfast is often included.

Four nights in hostels: one in Grindelwald, two in Zermatt and one in Geneva.

Dates and Fees

4 Weeks

Sunday, June 24 to Saturday, July 21

$5695 (airfare not included)

“The Alps were stunningly gorgeous.” Aviva Musicus, Lexington, Massachusetts

Itinerary

Trip Start

We'll meet in Geneva and take a train and bus to Gstaad where we'll set up camp and have a brief orientation, learning how to pack our packs, getting to know one another and getting used to the climate and elevation.

Day Hikes In Gstaad

We'll take three day hikes out of Gstaad on the first days of the trip. This is a great way to get over jet lag and get acclimated before beginning our backpacking. We'll also have a few days to enjoy the specatular scenery and take in the beauty of the Alps before strapping on our packs.

Hiking The Alpine Pass Route

From Gstaad, we'll begin a backpacking through-hike of the Alpine Pass Route in the Bernese Oberland. We'll spend some nights camping and some nights in Alpine huts. We'll pass through towns where we'll pick up food and restock our packs before heading back up into the mountains. Over eight days we'll pass through charming villages, visit mountainside waterfalls, enjoy stunning visitas and hike some of the most beautiful trails in the Swiss Alps. Our trek ends in Grindelwald, where we'll get cleaned up and enjoy an afternoon in the town.

Hiking The High Route

From Grindelwald, we'll take a train to Trient on the Swiss/French border to begin our hike on the High Route. From Trient we'll be able to see Mont Blanc, the highest point in the Alps. We'll then, once again, don our packs and set out on a 12-day through-hike on the High Route, which stretches from the slopes of Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn, the two greatest mountains in Europe. Our trek will take us through some of the most stunningly beautiful Alpine scenery in Europe. We’ll hike through quaint villages, camping out and staying in Alpine huts, before reaching Zermatt.

Hiking in Zermatt

We'll take advantage of our time in Zermatt by enjoying a day of exploration as we take a leisurely walk along the valley and visit the town. We'll also climb the 11,000' Mettelhorn and get our final glimpse of the Alps dominated by the crooked spire of the Matterhorn.

Trip End

At trip end, we'll train back to Geneva, where we’ll enjoy a final dinner out and look back on four weeks of the greatest hiking and summer adventure Switzerland has to offer.

“We're fully confident in Overland. After six trips, you have our complete trust!” Dave Russell, Ellicott City, Maryland

Trip Details

The Alpine Challenge will take you into beautiful mountains—some of the most dramatic scenery in the world—and charming Alpine villages. Hiking in the Alps offers an unsurpassed mountain and cultural experience. We will traverse two distinct sections of the Alps on ancient mountain paths that have linked tiny Alpine communities for centuries. Far more than just a hiking trip, the Alpine Challenge is a chance to truly explore another culture while at the same time testing your limits—as a hiker, as a group member and as a leader.

“Our leaders were amazing. They were knowledgeable, and everyone looked up to them." Alice Colquhoun, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Photos

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Enrollment Forms

Enrollment Forms 2012

Prepare & Pack

Preparing For The Hiking

Your trip will be significantly more enjoyable if you have a good level of fitness and well-broken-in boots. We cannot overemphasize the importance of well-broken-in boots. There have been students who have had to leave their trips because of blisters from boots that were not well broken in. The training table below is designed to help you properly break in your boots and develop a solid fitness base.

Pre-Trip Training

Five weeks before your trip: Wear your boots for 15-30 minutes a day to walk around your house or neighborhood so your boots will begin to conform to your feet.

Four weeks before your trip: Take three 30-minute hikes or walks in your boots.

Three weeks before your trip: Take three 60-minute hikes or walks in your boots.

Two weeks before your trip: Take three 1-hour hikes or walks in your boots with a backpack loaded with 10% of your body weight.

One week before your trip start: Take two 2-hour hikes or walks in your boots with a backpack loaded with 15-20% of your body weight.

Trip Difficulty

Participants must be prepared for long days on the trail hiking with full backpacks. Groups wake early, hit the trail right after breakfast and hike with breaks until at least mid-afternoon. The terrain is challenging—with long, steep uphill sections, rocky descents and possibly some hiking on snow (depending on the trip) and inclement weather can add a further challenge. Experience among participants will vary but no previous hiking or backpacking experience is required.

Packing For Your Trip

Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.
Bring only what you need and pack everything in your backpack or daypack. Alpine Challenge and European Explorer students should not bring a day pack since they will be carrying everything in their large backpacks during the entire trip.
Participants on High Sierra Explorer, Teton Challenge and Colorado 14er Challenge can bring one additional set of travel clothes (e.g. jeans and a t-shirt) to wear on the plane. These will be left in the van.
If you are flying to your trip start, you should wear your hiking boots on the plane and carry your sleeping bag and sleeping pad on the plane with you in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time.
You will have the chance to do laundry periodically so please stick to the packing list and bring only the clothes and items listed below.
Overland will rent or provide any specialized gear for any of our non-hiking activities (for example, rock climbing, rafting, mountaineering, or kayaking) and that gear is included in your trip fee.
Check out some of our favorite brands and retailers to purchase items on this list.
Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool like a Swiss Army knife or Leatherman tool.
If you have any questions, please contact our office at 413-458-9672.

Clothing

Fleece Jacket or Pullover & Long Fleece Pants
The fleece should be medium to heavy weight and reasonably compact. Please don't bring jeans or sweatpants.

Synthetic Long Underwear Top & Bottom
Two or three tops and one bottom.

Winter Hat & Gloves/Mittens
For cool nights in camp. High Sierra Explorer students should bring a second pair of warm waterproof gloves for climbing on snow and ice.

Insulated vest
An insulated fleece, Thinsulate or down vest. High Sierra Explorer students should instead bring a lightweight and compressible down jacket.

Waterproof Rain Jacket and Rain Pants
Your rain gear must be waterproof (not just water resistant). Gore-Tex is one of the better-known waterproof, breathable fabric brands, but there are many to choose from. Ponchos are not acceptable.

Hiking Shorts or Pants
Two or three pairs. Synthetic only, not cotton. Instead of shorts and gaiters, you may choose to wear pants while hiking to keep mud, water and snow off your legs and boots.

T-Shirts
Three synthetic t-shirts.

Underwear
Five pairs.

Socks
Four pairs of thick wool or synthetic socks made for hiking. Sock liners are optional.

Sport Sandals
These must have a heel strap if the trip has kayaking or rafting (flip-flops or Crocs are not acceptable). Crocs or flip-flops are fine for Alpine Challenge or European Explorer.

Sneakers or Tennis Shoes
A comfortable and lightweight alternative to your hiking boots. To be used on short day hikes and in camp when your hiking boots are not necessary. Sneakers are not allowed on Alpine Challenge or European Explorer.

Pajamas
Optional.

Bathing Suit
Optional.

Hiking & Camping Equipment

Hiking Boots
Waterproof hiking boots that are mid to high cut (recommended price range $100 to $175). Choose a comfortable boot that is designed for hiking with a medium weight pack.

Backpack
4,000-5,000 cubic inches. Before you purchase a backpack, find your backpack size by measuring your torso length and your hips. We recommend getting fitted at a store where you can try on a number of different packs.

Waterproof Pack Cover
If your backpack does not come with a cover, choose one that fits your pack well.

Day Pack
Your day pack can be used as a carry-on for your flight and will be necessary for day hikes. This can be a very basic backpack, maybe even just your school backpack. You should be able to carry it over both shoulders (i.e., NOT a satchel) and it should be big enough to hold your lunch, 2 water bottles, snacks and some extra warm layers and rain jacket. Do not bring a day pack for Alpine Challenge or European Explorer.

Sleeping Bag and Stuff Sack
We recommend a lightweight, compact sleeping bag (synthetic or down) that is rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Your sleeping bag should compress into a stuff sack which can then be cinched down to 12-20” in length.

Sleeping Pad
A full or ¾ length mattress pad that is inflatable or made of closed-cell foam. It should be compact enough to either fit in your pack or be strapped to the outside.

Bowl, Mug & Utensils
For meals you will need a 6-8” plastic dish or bowl with a lid. The bowl can be a rigid Tupperware-like material or collapsible. A spoon is all you need but you can bring a spork or a set of lightweight silverware if you’d like. We also recommend a plastic insulated mug to be used for hot drinks.

Water Bottle
One 1-liter Nalgene (or similar) water bottle. Overland will provide you with a second water bottle on arrival. A Camelbak or similar water bladder is acceptable. High Sierra Explorer students should know that water bladders are not recommend for the Shasta climb.

Headlamp & Extra Batteries
A small flashlight is OK but headlamps are great because your hands are freed up for other tasks. A headlamp is required for High Sierra Explorer and Colorado 14er Challenge students.

Small Safety Whistle
Plastic or metal with a string or lanyard attached. This is for safety reasons in case a student is separated from the group.

Telescoping Hiking Poles
Optional. Hiking poles are great for stability while hiking, reducing strain on the knees and providing balance while crossing streams or on rough terrain. Recommended for Alpine Challenge and European Explorer.

Gaiters
Optional.

Mosquito Head Net
Optional. Strongly advised for High Sierra Explorer and Teton Challenge.

Miscellaneous Gear

Towel
Optional. Synthetic camping towel only.

Plastic Bags
Ten large 1-gallon ziplock bags and four large trash bags. The ziplock bags are used to organize and waterproof your gear and small items. The trash bags are used to line your pack and to wrap your sleeping bag and pad.

Toiletries
All items should be travel size. If necessary, you will be able to restock en route.

Moleskin or Molefoam
One full package for blister protection.

Sunglasses & Hat with Visor
High Sierra Explorer students should have sunglasses that wrap around to protect from the sun reflecting off of the snow and ice.

Sunscreen (SPF 15+) & Chapstick (with SPF protection)
Please bring ample amounts of sunscreen.

Insect Repellent
Please bring ample amounts of bug spray.

Personal Journal or Book
Optional.

Digital Camera & Extra Batteries
Great for documenting the trip. Make sure you bring a large enough memory card (1 to 4 GB).

Valid Passport
For international trips only. However, all students who are flying home should have photo identification. Leave a photocopy of your passport at home just in case.

Spending Money
$25/week in cash or with a debit or ATM card. Students on international programs should note the exchange rate.

Cell Phones, Electronics and Personal Property

Please note the following important policies:

Our programs offer the opportunity to strengthen independence and self-reliance. To maximize these benefits, we do not permit phone calls to or from our students (except in the case of emergency).

If it is important for your son or daughter to be able to call you while en route to Overland, we recommend that you purchase an inexpensive phone card that your son or daughter can use at any airport pay phone.

If you feel that it is necessary to send your son or daughter with a phone, please do not send an expensive smart phone like an iPhone or BlackBerry. Send an inexpensive prepaid cell phone instead. On arrival we will collect all phones but we have found that safeguarding these phones is problematic given that our programs move from place to place. Despite our best efforts over $25,000 in phones have been lost, damaged or stolen in the last two years alone. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Communications

To maximize independence and self-reliance, we do not permit phone calls, emails or text messages to or from our students (except in the case of an emergency).
Your child will call home with our phones and assistance on arrival and departure if he/she flies to his/her program.
In the case of an emergency, we will make sure you are in touch with your child as soon as possible.

Cell Phones

Cell phone use is prohibited on all Overland programs.
Any phone brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and returned at departure.
If you decide to bring a phone, do not bring an expensive smartphone (e.g., iPhone or BlackBerry); instead bring an inexpensive prepaid cell phone (better yet, bring an inexpensive prepaid calling card).

Personal Electronics

We do not permit personal electronics (e.g., iPods, Kindles or iPads) except for digital cameras.
We do not permit emergency response or GPS tracking electronics.
Any electronics brought by a student will be collected by us on arrival and mailed home or returned at departure.

Personal Property

Overland is not responsible for any student’s personal property—including but not limited to: phones, electronics, cameras, equipment, bicycles and clothing. Please schedule all expensive items on your homeowners insurance policy to ensure that your child/ward’s personal property and equipment is covered against loss, damage or theft.

No Reimbursements for Lost, Damaged or Stolen Phone, Electronics and Personal Property

Despite taking precautions, some phones, electronics and personal property brought by students (and collected by us) have been lost, damaged or stolen. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Questions or concerns? Please call us. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated.

Travel Information

Families are responsible for making travel arrangements to and from Geneva, Switzerland. Overland’s leaders will be on hand at the airport to provide supervision and assistance at trip start and end.

DROP OFF: Geneva Intl Airport (GVA) International Arrivals Area 8:30 a.m. Sunday
PICK UP: Geneva Intl Airport (GVA) Swiss Air Check-In Area 10:00 a.m. Saturday
FLIGHT ARRIVAL: Geneva Intl Airport (GVA) between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Sunday*
FLIGHT DEPARTURE: Geneva Intl Airport (GVA) between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Saturday
"*Please note: To arrive in Geneva on Sunday morning, flights must depart from the U.S. on Saturday night. If possible, please choose a flight that does not connect in Europe (e.g., fly non-stop from a U.S. gateway)."

Any other special cases, please call Overland to coordinate, if you have not done so already.

Flight & Travel Information 2012

Program Start & End Information 2012