Lagginhorn 4,010m - Best 4000m mountain to solo in the Alps?

Is it possible to climb a 4000-meter mountain in the Alps by yourself?
That was the question I ended up asking myself when a friend of mine cancelled our climbing trip last minute...
Soloing a mountain in the Swiss Alps was honestly the last thing I wanted to do, but with my flight ticket paid and holiday already booked, I wasn't going to jump ship so easily.
After doing some research I realised that there are routes you can solo and also minimise your risk while doing so, and that's how the Lagginhorn mission came to be.
I had a lot of fun climbing the Lagginhorn.
The trip has you leave from Saas-Grund, stay the night in the Weissmies hut and as you're ascending the mountain you have views of the Mischabel group (including Dom) and the Weissmies mountain.
The Lagginhorn is a great four thousander for beginning mountaineers.
Regardless of my solo approach of this mountain, I HIGHLY recommend that anyone going should do so with a climbing partner.
I also want to inform anyone that’s planning to do this mountain that in icy conditions it’s very easy to slip and fall from some of the more exposed sections.
If you’re gonna do it, train hard, take care, and have fun!

[@josepo1163]

That shot with the moon was extraordinary, great video man! You got a new sub

[@devmiles]

Great video! I just came from mount Fuji and am inspired to do more mountains

[@bnbproductions]

The next time when you're climbing in switzerland let me know (: I live in Switzerland and would be up for climbing with you tho... Great, authentic content! Have a nice one.

[@TraintoSummit]

Thanks! I'll take you up on that ;)

[@yqod7277]

Do you still need someone to climb with ?

[@nowaccki]

The views look absolutely crazy when you’re at cloud level! Would love to see some scenic timelapses :) keep making these!!

[@TraintoSummit]

Thanks Andrew, that's great feedback!

[@cpm4317]

Yeah, maybe for those watching that still want to attempt it on normal route: -Ask at the maintain hut for direction. There is rockfall in this area and the "normal route" change to minimize exposure to danger zones. This implies that a lot of literature is outdated. Applies to Fletschhorn (neighboring peak) as well. Just ask at the huts and don't blindly follow a GPS track you found online....

[@Pachosk]

You have some balls my friend ! Huge respect by doing it solo. Very inspiring for me, beacuse i am mostly a solo hiker.

[@TraintoSummit]

Thank you mate, and thanks for watching!

[@MountainManJohnFilms]

Great film. I do lots alone in the UK but not the Alps. We turned round because of ice somewhere near where your camera froze. Always regretted 😂. Enjoyable mountain.

[@TraintoSummit]

I hope you give it another shot one day💪🏼 Thanks for watching!

[@simeonveselinov7819]

Great one my friend I watched this video few months ago Today i came back to rewatch it Thanks for the great journey

[@TraintoSummit]

Thanks for watching mate, appreciate it!

[@FuriousBOIAngel]

After this video i'm going to attempt this in two weeks. Thank you

[@TraintoSummit]

You got this!

[@blueshadow3794]

Such a beautiful place, and the editing is top notch. I lost it at 5:19 btw haha. Also, that Moon, good Jesus was it beautiful. I would like to share some ideas/feedback. When you go for a meal, like at this retreat, show me what you are eating and a bit about the food, like habits, or how is it prepared, what's in it, that sort of thing. And about the room where you are sleeping, what kind of beds, the room itself. Anyway i was happy that I could take a little part of your beautiful adventure. Keep it up!

[@TraintoSummit]

Amazing feedback! I'll definitely implement it 💪🏽

[@sandralutz-rodriguez2864]

Cris and Viv you guys are amazing. I love watching your videos. I’m from Switzerland living in USA and came across your channel. Just enjoy your adventures so much. Being an observant Swiss citizen I was wondering why the Refuge Hut had a flag from Uri (the steer) as you were hiking in Valois or Waadt canton.

[@TraintoSummit]

Thanks so much for your lovely comment and for watching our videos! I remember that at the time when I filmed this video I didn't have much of an idea of what the cantons were, let alone what their emblem was 😂 Very interesting observation! My only thought as to the reason is that the hut-keeper from the Weissmies hut might of been from the canton of Uri and was trying to represent. If we'll go back there one day I'll make sure to ask!

[@TheArendt1]

Man, this is a nice video. Good camera work and storytelling. Inspiring 👍🏻

[@TraintoSummit]

Appreciate the kind words mate 👊🏼

[@paulhoulden]

Nice one! I done this in august also, i was running a race on the Saturday and was solo for the week, although i started from Saas Almagel at 4am, upto the summit and back down in 8 hours, it was so hard man! also will drop a sub!

[@TraintoSummit]

8 hours from the bottom of the mountain is super impressive!

[@paulhoulden]

@@TraintoSummit only just seen this! the day was perfect, weather, no crowds and so on! Heading back in August, will probably do the Weissmeis and some other 4000ms

[@Attila1968Huk]

Lovely Moon ....Thanks...

[@cristianrojassalamanca4939]

Hey, really nice video and edition! I want to do the same trip as you during August and I wanted to ask where can I find a place to stay before and after going to the mountains, and what kind of tools did you bring, like do you recommend going with rope, harness, crampons, etc.? Thank you very much!!

[@cristianrojassalamanca4939]

And how many nights did you stayed at the hut?

[@Martassssss.....]

Haha you are an good videomaker 👌 Lagginhorn and Weissmies are two duable mountains for climbing alone, but are there more 4- thousand-peaks ?

[@TraintoSummit]

I'm sure there are. I remember spotting a few when I looked into doing this trip but can't remember which. Thanks for watching!

[@yerniyazbalgozhenov576]

Great video! Never did solo hiking though=). How many hours in average does it take to hike from Saas-Grund to Hohsaas Hut? And how many hours doest it take to hike from Hohsaas hut to Lagginhorn peak? Is this trekking well labeled so I can go solo as well? Thinking to travel soon to Saas-Grund. Thank you😀

[@TraintoSummit]

Thanks for watching! I went to the Weissmiess hut not to the Hohsaas. I think this took around 4 hr 30 m from Saas-Grund. From the Weissmiess hut it took another 4 hrs to the summit the following day. The paths clear but they're many, you'll need to have a map (I used All trails). Have fun and stay safe!

[@mountainsforeverybody]

Great video, you are a natural talent. I climbed it 15 years ago directly from the valley. Not much left from the glacier. Is it possible they still describe it as a glacier?

[@TraintoSummit]

Thanks for the kind words! They still describe it as a glacier but in all honesty, it's a sad sight to see 😞. Regardless, the surrounding area is stunning!

[@ivanpg1326]

Good morning! There are others routes for 4000m peak in Alps to climb alone, without so much risk??

[@TraintoSummit]

Hey! I definitely recommend doing these things with someone, it's much safer with a buddy there ;). I'm not sure about 4k peaks, but there are plenty more tame ones across the Alps that are in the 3000m range!

[@janpratalemany3217]

A great and informative video! Thanks for sharing this! Do you know if the ridge between Lagginhorn and Weissmies is possible? In a few days I want to climb both of them and maybe the ridge is an interesting option, but i can't find many information. Many thanks in advance!

[@TraintoSummit]

Thanks! From memory, there's a route on the North ridge of Weissmiess that a guide and his client did when I did the Lagginhorn, rated AD. I don't know if it's possible to get straight onto in from Lagginhorn's summit, it didnt cross my mind at the time so I didn't have a look. Either way, the area is amazing. I hope you have a great time! Thanks for your comment😬

[@janpratalemany3217]

​@@TraintoSummit And another question if you have the time :) do you know if there's a free place to sleep in the weissmieshut? Just somewhere with a roof

[@TraintoSummit]

@@janpratalemany3217 The hut is great. They have a booking system on their website. I'm sure they'll have free places. If it's busy just avoid Friday and Saturday and you'll be fine!

[@sambogambo]

when did you go up? I was wondering if its okay to solo it around the end of september? Will be my first 4000m so abit unsure:) love your videos

[@TraintoSummit]

I did it in mid-August. It would be possible at the end of September (conditions permitting), there might just be a bit more snow. There's a strong chance the Weissmiess hut will be closed, so you might have to camp. I don't know your experience and comfort level, but Lagginhord is neither too hard or too easy - it's a long day out tho and can be pretty exposed and have crumbly rock in areas. Thanks for watching the videos and let me know how it goes!

[@mommymusingsbyyogita4765]

Are you planning more summits in Switzerland this coming summer ? Would love to tag along . I have done Allalinhorn, Breithorn, Weissmess and Nadelhorn so far ,last summer

[@TraintoSummit]

Hey, well done on all those summits! Fingers crossed I end up in Switzerland this summer. Will let you know!

[@lizthomas1539]

Thank you for the detailed video! I also hope to be laggin' up the Lagginhorn this August 😌 Which route did you end up actually taking if not the normalweg?

[@TraintoSummit]

It was actually one of the best mountaineering experiences I ever had. Essentially it is the normalweg up to 2,850 meters. If you open the AllTrails map under the name 'Lagginhorn' you'll see that at 2,850m on the map there's another route (market in a black line) that is parallel to the normalweg and on the left of it. If you turn on the satellite option you'll see that there's a path which connects directly to this route. This path will take you straight onto the ridge as opposed to crossing the glacier and then bringing you to the ridge. The path is easy to follow and the route is pretty good! Thanks for watching and let me know how it goes, you got this 💪🏼👊🏼

[@lizthomas1539]

@@TraintoSummitah yup I see it on satellite view! Couldn't find a gpx track on Alltrails for the ridgeline start, but the Komoot app has it. Thanks for replying, I'll keep you posted 🤞🏼😊

[@lizthomas1539]

@@TraintoSummit also going to Madeira in May so I'm glad to have stumbled across your channel!

[@TraintoSummit]

@@lizthomas1539 I 100% recommend doing Levada Caldeirão do Inferno, it's an experience. Stay tuned this Sunday for the Pico Ruivo video 👊

[@laurencecalvo5373]

J’avais une question, est-ce que pour grimper cette montagne nous avons besoin d’un guide et est-ce que le chemin est simple à repérer

[@ilvonful]

Where did you carry the big alpine boots in the beginning, inside the backpack?

[@TraintoSummit]

Yup!

[@ilvonful]

@@TraintoSummit Thanks. And how long did it take you from the hut to the peak?

[@TraintoSummit]

@@ilvonful From memory 3 to 3 and a half hours :)

[@nicebird332]

Did you go over the old snow or the rock for the last 100 meters before the summit? If you went over the rock was it more steep then the part before the summit?

[@TraintoSummit]

I went over rock for the last 100 meters. There were essentially paths leading up to the last section that was quite easy to navigate through. The section before the summit was steep but not as steep as some sections on the actual ridge. The challenge is more on the ridge that you're on 1-2 hours before the summit than on the actual summit from my experience. Thanks for watching!

[@nicebird332]

​@@TraintoSummit thank you for the answer. Does it get steeper then 16:35 ? And if yes is it possible to climb/walk more left on the ridge? I heard the rock is smother there but less steep. But probably only a good idea to go on it without the ice like in your video.

[@TraintoSummit]

@@nicebird332 That was actually the steepest section, but I wouldn't go any further left than that on the ridge. If you take care and take your time it's totally doable ;)

[@nicebird332]

@@TraintoSummit thank you for the information! I wanted to write more right not left. More Left is indeed not a good idear ^^ Is it more flat on the right? If the weather is fine end of August I probably gona try my luck.

[@TraintoSummit]

@@nicebird332 More right is definitely less steep. Once you're there it's easier seeing what the path of least resistance is. Have fun, hope you go for it!

[@joole1876]

I want to summit lagginhorn as well but do I need to bring my ice pick and crampons with me?

[@TraintoSummit]

I don't think an ice axe is needed for the normal route, although I had one in my bag. I took crampons, the last section can have more snow than I got up there, and its pretty steep. Good to play it safe

[@herwald51]

I always climb mountains by myself. Since now 58 Years.

[@TraintoSummit]

It's a unique experience. Keep on climbing 🔥💪🏼

[@renspeene5326]

What gear would you say is necessary to climb the Lagginhorn in these conditions?

[@TraintoSummit]

B2 boots, crampons in case of ice, and depending on the conditions perhaps an ice axe. Thanks for watching!

[@juancarlosibanez8751]

I have climbed over 10 mountains over 4000 alone, and is perfectly possible, but is a risk, if you take this risk go ahead! if not look for someone else to be tied to him.

[@ЮляМоисеева-т2х]

Hey, when was that?

[@TraintoSummit]

August 2021. Thanks for watching!

[@arpudli8962]

Did you use crampons? Which month was this?

[@TraintoSummit]

It was in August. I didn't use them but had them with me just in case:)

[@tu0ootu]

Great film , if you come back Mexico let me know .. free digs for you if you fancy a climb.. I’m English living in Mexico 🇲🇽

[@TraintoSummit]

Will definitely come back to Mexico at some point, Nevado de Toluca is still on the list! I'll take you up on that offer mate, thanks for watching!

[@tu0ootu]

Great I live I Valle de bravo .. 1 hour 30 minutes fro Nevada 👍