Rifugio Guide d'Ayas e rifugio Mezzalama da Saint-Jacques (Mostro TUTTO il sentiero!)

gpx track: https://loc.wiki/t/272774967?wa=sc Welcome to this new high-altitude hike! On Saturday, Serena and I decided to jump out of bed very early to treat ourselves to a true connoisseur's "morning vertical" in the Monte Rosa mountain range: an express ride from Saint-Jacques des Allemands (1,635m) to the 3,420-meter Rifugio Guide d'Ayas, passing by the historic Rifugio Mezzalama. The plan? We'll cover 20 km and 1,800 meters of elevation gain at a brisk pace, enjoy a different kind of breakfast at the foot of the ice giants, and return to the valley in perfect time for lunch! Since the itinerary is long and covers a wide variety of terrain, I wanted to create a complete video without any drastic cuts, so you can study the entire trail step by step before tackling it. 🥾 THE TWO REFUGES ALONG THE ROUTE: HISTORY AND HIGH ALTITUDE Ottorino Mezzalama Refuge (3,036m): This is the first historic outpost we encounter along the climb. Inaugurated in 1934 and dedicated to one of the pioneers of Italian ski mountaineering, this stone and wood refuge still retains the charm of mountaineering from days gone by. It sits on a moraine ridge between the Verra Grande and Verra Piccolo glaciers. Rifugio Guide della Val d'Ayas (3,420m): Perched on the rocky spur of the Rocce di Lambronecca, this is a more modern and imposing structure. It is the definitive launching pad for climbers heading towards the four-thousanders of Monte Rosa, primarily Castore and Polluce. The view from up here of the surrounding glacier is simply "super wow." THE TRAIL'S DEVELOPMENT (WHAT YOU'LL SEE IN THE VIDEO) The trail is long, but as you'll see in the full video, the trail is always clear and well-marked. The hike is divided into three main sections: 1. The Verra Valley and the Blue Lake: The first section ascends gently through woods and alpine meadows, passing the Pian di Verra plain and the spectacular Blue Lake (which, on the way back, reveals stunning colors in the sunlight). 2. The Great Moraine: After crossing the stream, the trail steepens and begins to get serious. You climb a gigantic and exhausting moraine in zigzags. Here, the view opens up, and if you're lucky like us, you might have a few close encounters with the local ibex. 3. The Final Section (Hemp Ropes and Footbridges): From the Mezzalama onward, the terrain becomes typically high-altitude, with scree and rock slabs. The last 50 meters of elevation gain are the most fun and exciting: you ascend ramps equipped with solid hemp ropes (fixed ropes) and suspended wooden footbridges that lead directly to the terrace of the Guide d'Ayas Refuge. ⚠️ IMPORTANT TECHNICAL NOTES Glacier: To reach the Guide d'Ayas Refuge, there are NO glaciers to cross, and no mountaineering equipment (rope, harness, crampons) is required. The trail ends right at the foot of the glacier itself. Snow: During our ascent, we only encountered a very short strip of snow, just a few meters wide, which was easily surmounted without any problems. (4/7/26) Physical effort: Although the trail is clear and safe, we're talking about 1,800 meters of elevation gain, which starts to take its toll on your lungs above 3,000 meters. Good training is required! If you enjoyed the video and found it helpful in planning your next trek, please leave a like, a comment, and subscribe to the channel so you don't miss out on future high-altitude hikes! 😉 00:00 - Departure from Saint-Jacques des Allemands (1635m asl) 00:35 - Start of the trail and the fountain 00:54 - Mezzalama and Guide d'Ayas: the lesson learned from the cold last time 01:41 - First sightings: Pollux, Castor, and the large moraine to climb 02:25 - Passing the Lago Blu at 2200m altitude 03:11 - Crossing the stream towards the moraine 03:49 - On the moraine ("Baila Morena") and the sunrise 04:19 - Time sign: Mezzalama and Guide d'Ayas (EE Trail) 04:42 - The valley lights up and memories of the icy wind pass between the rocks 05:33 - Altitude 2600m: the last 400 meters to the first refuge 6:08 AM - Encounter with an ibex and start of the steep zigzags 6:45 AM - The roofs of the Mezzalama and the Guide d'Ayas peaks come into view 7:35 AM - Climbers descending and a close encounter with an ibex 8:28 AM - Arrival at the Mezzalama Refuge (3,004 m) 9:19 AM - The journey continues towards the foot of the glacier 10:51 AM - Altitude 3,200 m: the altitude begins to take its toll 11:26 AM - After passing 3,300 m: arrival at the fixed ropes 12:00 PM - Wooden walkways and scaffolding suspended over the void with a glacial view 1:14 PM - FINISH LINE AT 3,420 m! Guide d'Ayas Refuge and epic breakfast 2:33 PM - Start of the descent and glimpses of the climbers on the Polluce glacier 3:44 PM - The illuminated refuge seen from below and a sandwich stop 4:10 PM - Spectacular helicopter ride with supplies to the refuge 4:33 PM - Return to the Lago Blu plain: a 6-hour hike home!