Wild camping the Walkers Haute Route solo in reverse. Video 3

This video covers the final sections of leaving Arolla over the famous Pas de Chèvres, though Mont Fort and Verbier and finally over the Col de Balme, down through Argentiere and into Chamonix/Mont Blanc.
Walking from the Matterhorn (Zermatt) to Mont Blanc (Chamonix) along the Walkers Haute Route.
Going solo and wild camping along the route, I was able to finish the 12-14 day trek in 8 days. I hiked 12 hours / 30kms per day on average.
I decided to do the route in reverse (usually going from Chamonix to Zermatt) for a few reasons. I wanted to hike alone, yet still wanted to meet people on trail. I couldn't find any information on doing it in this direction so just went for it. Was not disappointed!
My backpack weighed 5.5kg, not including food or water and I had everything I needed to live outdoors at altitude for an extended time.
Wild camping was no problem whatsoever as I was by myself. Groups may find it harder to find spots.
Feel free to message me with any questions. I am more than happy to offer help where I couldn't find any!

[@britishirish1112]

Hello creepy😁!Best videos I've seen of the haute route.particularly liked that you showed the terrain you were walking on and your pitched tent.Inspirational.

[@alpinekiwi]

Thanks Sarah! Glad you enjoyed!

[@yapluka64]

Very nice set of videos! Surprised there were not that many hikers out there! I really like that you shared your relive maps, very helpful, thank you

[@alpinekiwi]

Hope they come in handy! Glad you like them, cheers!

[@olympicmuseum4354]

Really beautiful videos! Had only heard of the "normal" Haute Route with skis, but this one seems spectacular as well.

[@alpinekiwi]

Thanks! It truly is spectacular! I was looking at doing the winter version this season, but the plans fell through.. Next year perhaps!

[@luboyanev]

Great to see your trip in reverse, I hiked the ordinary way this past summer and hoping to also make a video from the trip, it is such an amazing hike, and you did some crazy distances and long days for that route! I am also looking into getting lightweight gear, it should help for the upcoming hikes :)

[@alpinekiwi]

Bring back some memories? Glad you got something from the videos!

[@graemehindshaw4221]

wow you did some miles - impressive. How heavyy was your pack? I think you should've carried onto part of the TMB, up the ladders and along the top opposite the MB massif for glorious views. You could've just taken the cable car down when opposite MB into Chamonix centre - better than walking through the town. What did you do for food?

[@christopheralexandrou6798]

Hey AK excellent videos. I'm keen to do the route next year. Any chance you could put up a short gear list thanks ? Your pack was impressively light !

[@alpinekiwi]

Christopher Alexandrou thanks man, it’s a great walk! I’ve been wanting to do a gear video for a while now so look out for it coming soon. Otherwise, you can have a look at my Lighterpack list here: lighterpack.com/r/6hpkqk Thanks for watching

[@christopheralexandrou6798]

@@alpinekiwi Cool stuff thanks heaps for that. Look forward to your gear video.

[@katherineforsythe4598]

Loved your videos! Thanks for sharing. I'm about to do the Haute Route this July, camping along the way as well. Would you recommend of your camping spots? How hard was it to find spots along the way? Did you think your resupply box was neccesary? Would you recommend? Or are shops sufficient in the big towns to restock food?

[@alpinekiwi]

Hi Katherine, thanks! I would recommend all of my sites! However, I don't have directions for you to find them! You'll be absolutely fine I think by just walking until you're ready to stop. I passed many potential spots. My resupply box wasn't totally needed. There are many small towns you can drop down to to resupply. I actually threw out all of my pre-prepared meals as I was sick of them. I kept the porridge oats, the alcohol for my stove and the drink tabs, but could have easily done away with them. If I were to do it again, I would still probably use a box though. Spending the night halfway through the trek is a good way to eat a hot meal, drink some beer, wash your clothes and sleep in a bed. Why not send yourself something for the hotel to hold for you? For example, I loved the coffee sachets I had prepared as well as the super-porridge I had made. Good luck!

[@SJ-vc2tz]

Hey, nice videos! Going to walk this route in a few weeks, any suggestions for doing it in reverse or normal? :) Cheers!

[@alpinekiwi]

Cheers! I usually prefer doing things backwards for a few reasons: 1. I like the trail to myself 2. I like to pass lots of people going the other way where we can trade information about trail conditions, water sources, greeting etc. 3.You know when you're on the motorway and you are behind another car that is going 1km/hr slower than you and you have to go out of cruise control to pass them? This. But with hiking if you go the same way as everyone else 😀 4. It's actually very social going the other way (see point 2) I think people usually go Chamonix > Zermatt as you get to see the Matterhorn as you get closer. I live near Chamonix, so for me, it was like walking home.

[@50_Pence]

Can you just use phones to navigate. Did you take maps as well?

[@alpinekiwi]

No paper maps. I had the Cicerone guide book downloaded to my phone and consulted their maps and used Google Maps too. The trail is fairly well marked, but you still need some basic navigation skills along with some form of map. The Cicerone maps are pretty basic (pretty bad), but do show the basics you need... I would advise downloading the guide from Amazon.

[@eeekkk34235]

How did you do for water along the way?

[@alpinekiwi]

There's plenty of water along the entire trip, but it pays to take a good filter with you... You shouldn't have to carry more than a litre at any time. Fill up more bottles before camping as many spots are dry...

[@eeekkk34235]

@@alpinekiwi Cool thanks.