4810 m n.m.
4697 m
Alpine Four-thousanders
It is actually quite crazy and foolish to attach any special significance to altitude...
Nevertheless! It is human nature to try to overcome certain boundaries, and the peaks of the European Alps exceeding 4000 meters are a clear proof of that.
Over time, you will also find that it is far from just about gaining a sufficient number of vertical meters and acclimatizing to the lack of oxygen. Staying in the highest parts of the old continent will primarily lead you to discover pristine nature and yourself.
Although there are about 182 peaks in the Alps exceeding 4000m, the main (official) number recognized by the UIAA since 1991 is 82.
To enter the 4000 club, you need to have "summited" at least 30 (previously 50).
So far, only a few dozen people in the world have managed to climb all of them.
...not everyone is a member of the mentioned club, making it practically impossible to find information.
The official list of all members on the way to the set goal, includes about 40 who have already "completed" it.
A good overview, including sorting options and detailed descriptions with photos, can be found at Alpy4000.cz
Alternatively, with descriptions of ascent routes at Goat.cz
I would NEVER dare to determine which peaks are "mandatory" to "summit" and which are not. ALL ARE voluntary and are worth it in one way or another ;) but nevertheless, I have a few "recommendations":
Nevertheless! It is human nature to try to overcome certain boundaries, and the peaks of the European Alps exceeding 4000 meters are a clear proof of that.
Over time, you will also find that it is far from just about gaining a sufficient number of vertical meters and acclimatizing to the lack of oxygen. Staying in the highest parts of the old continent will primarily lead you to discover pristine nature and yourself.
Although there are about 182 peaks in the Alps exceeding 4000m, the main (official) number recognized by the UIAA since 1991 is 82.
To enter the 4000 club, you need to have "summited" at least 30 (previously 50).
So far, only a few dozen people in the world have managed to climb all of them.
...not everyone is a member of the mentioned club, making it practically impossible to find information.
The official list of all members on the way to the set goal, includes about 40 who have already "completed" it.
- 82 peaks in 82 days
- In 2004, a unique attempt was made to climb this entire set (according to UIAA), namely 82 peaks in 82 days (including ascents, descents, and transfers between them)!!! - Patrick Berhault and Philippe Magnin Unfortunately, this attempt ended tragically... In 59 days, they reached an amazing 64 peaks, but on April 28, 2004, P. Berhault fell from the ridge between Täschhorn and Dom.
- It was not until 2008 that Italian UIAGM mountain guides - Franz Nicolini, Diego Giovannini, and Mirco Mezzanotte summited all peaks in 60 days.
- A year earlier, in 2007, Slovenian UIAGM mountain guide - Miha Valič summited all peaks in 102 days, but he undertook the entire project in winter!!!
- In 2015, Swiss climber - Ueli Steck achieved the goal in 61 days. That is one day more than the Italian guides, but he completed the entire project using only his own strength and moved only on foot, on skis, or by bike!!!
A good overview, including sorting options and detailed descriptions with photos, can be found at Alpy4000.cz
Alternatively, with descriptions of ascent routes at Goat.cz
I would NEVER dare to determine which peaks are "mandatory" to "summit" and which are not. ALL ARE voluntary and are worth it in one way or another ;) but nevertheless, I have a few "recommendations":
- Among the easiest are Breithorn, Allalinhorn, Weisshorn, Gran Paradiso, Bernina, Weissmies, Lagginhorn, Écrins, Bishorn, ...climbing the north face of Lenzspitze or Monk.
- The most challenging climbing feats are the extremes at the limits of possibilities in the form of the southern faces of Mont Blanc or the north face of Grandes Jorasses.
- For ski mountaineering, the Mont Blanc area and the peaks of Monte Rosa are popular. Strahlhorn and Rimpfischhorn are even much more accessible. If you are experienced and enjoy steep couloirs, you will appreciate the Whymper Couloir on Aiguille Verte. You will enjoy the vast, deserted plains in the Bernese Alps (9 peaks and the largest glaciers).
- Among the most beautiful are the ridge crossings, with the most famous being the crossing of the Breithorns with a possible subsequent traverse of the entire Monte Rosa massif (17 peaks - alpinist Ueli Steck managed it without cable cars in one day!), the legendary Biancograt, the famous Rochefort Ridge with a possible continuation to Grandes Jorasses, and although a bit more challenging, the beautiful traverse of Schreckhorn-Lauteraarhorn in the Bernese Alps.
