haute route
in a single push
Follow Aaron's epic journey from Chamonix to Zermatt in one push.
120km with around 8000m ascent with no sleep
An epic single push, solo
First pioneered by the English Alpine club in the 1860s, this high altitude route connects the two iconic Alpine towns of Chamonix and Zermatt. First completed on skis in 1911, it's now easily the most famous ski tour in the world. The route is usually completed over 6 or 7 days, where skiers stay in mountain refuges along the way.
Aaron will however, attempt the route in one single push aiming to complete the challenge in under 35 hours non-stop. To date, this feat has only ever been achieved by elite ski mountaineers, almost all of whom compete to an international level.
Aaron hopes to break this mould and undertake this epic journey solo, without lifts and no sleep before Zermatt.
120KM · 8000M ASCENT · 10 COLS
The Route
There are multiple routes to choose from, but Aaron has opted for the Verbier variant. This has become the most popular choice for ski tourers, and as far as we know, has never been completed in one push before. Although most people use the lifts in Chamonix and the 4 valleys, Aaron will be entirely self-propelled, connecting a short section from Champex and Verbier by bicycle.
In the spirit of adventure, he wants the challenge to involve at least 8000m ascent, and he'll push through the night aiming to not sleep until he reaches his end goal, Zermatt.
About Aaron
Aaron is a London-based photographer who lives for adventure. Despite learning to ski late in life, he firmly believes strong-will and self-belief will get you anywhere. He's not a pro skier, nor a lycra-clad ski mountaineer, but he was lucky enough to escape to the Alps this winter.
With resorts closed in France, the only way to get his ski fix has been to earn those turns. Now with plenty of tours under his belt, he's ambitiously set his sights on becoming the first person to complete the Verbier Haute Route in one push.
"The Haute route project has been on my radar since I first read about the route years back. Doing this alone is no doubt a serious business, but I'm excited to push through the night and hopefully join the shortlist of the most accomplished ski mountaineers"
Aaron Rolph
The Gear
For this challenge, not only does Aaron need to be fast and light but he will also be extremely reliant on his equipment moving through harsh alpine conditions alone through the night. A huge thank you to the supporting brands for helping make this ambitious project a reality.
Skis & Ice Tools
Skis: Faction Agent 1.0 (86mm under foot & 1450g)
Bindings: ATK Kuluar (200g, out next season)
Skins: POMOCA Climb Pro S-Glide
Boots: Scott Superguide carbon
Poles: Black crows telescopic carbon
Crampons Petzl Irvis Hybrid
Ski Crampons: ATK (91mm)
Ice Axe: Blue Ice Akila Adze
Clothing
Shell jacket: Arc'teryx Sabre LT
Mid layer: Arc'teryx Atom LT
Down jacket Arc'teryx Thorium AR
Shell pants: Norona Gore-tex Pro
T-shirt: Smartwool Merino Sport 150
Socks: Smartwool Ski Light Elite
Boxers: Smartwool Merino Sport 150
Gloves: Arc'teryx Sabre Glove & Arc'teyrx Venta Glove
Accessories
Backpack: Blue Ice Klune (30l)
Helmet: Julbo Peak
Ballaclava: Smartwool Marino 250 Balaclava
Goggles: Julbo Quickshift (Reactiv 1-3 lenses)
Sunglasses: Julbo Shield (Reactiv High Mountain lenses 2-4)
Harness: Blue Ice Choucas Light
Head torch: Exposure Lights HT1000 & Support Cell
Safety & Technology
GPS Watch: Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar
Emergency Device: Garmin InReach Mini
Navigation: iPhone 12 with FatMap route (& back-up paper maps)
Transceiver: Pieps
Probe: Black Diamond
Shovel: Orthovox