The Tour of Monte Rosa - A Trekker's Guide

• Location
• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Maps
• Updates
• Reviews
• Further Reading

There are masses of books about the Alps, but the following are good to read and provide lots of useful information. There are also some books about associated places such as the Valle d’Aosta.

Zermatt Saga by Cicely Williams (Roten-Verlag, 1989) is an account of Zermatt from the year dot by the wife of the Bishop of the English Church in Zermatt in the 1960s. Mrs Williams spent time in Zermatt since childhood and is clearly in love with the place. Whilst her description of life there in the present day is rather dated, her history is spot on, and the book gives an insight to what can only be described as a bygone age.

How the English made the Alps by Jim Ring (John Murray, 2000) is a broad account of the activities of English mountaineers throughout the Alps. Many first ascents of Alpine peaks were made by local Guides with English clients, and this book is an easy and interesting read.

The High Mountains of the Alps by Helmut Dumler and Willi Burkhardt (Diadem, 1994) is the bible for all those who dream of ascending these giants; the photos alone will provide more than enough inspiration.

Scrambles amongst the Alps by Edward Whymper (National Geographic, 2002) provides the first-hand account of the fateful first ascent of the Matterhorn, as well as many more detailed accounts of climbing during the 1860s.

Ulrich Inderbinen: As old as the century by Heidi Lanz and Liliane De Meester (Roten-Verlag, 1997) tells Ulrich Inderbinen’s story of growing up and becoming a Guide in Zermatt.

Our Alpine Flora by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC, 1989) will fund many hours of research in the evenings as you try to figure out what ‘those flowers’ are.

The Alpine 4000m Peaks by Richard Goedeke (Diadem, 1993) describes the 61 official 4000m peaks in the Alps by their Normal Routes. The bible for peak-baggers!

Trekking and Climbing in the Western Alps by Hilary Sharp (New Holland, 2002) includes a description of the Tour of Monte Rosa as well as the Normal Routes up several summits on the region, notably the Weissmies, the Allalinhorn, the Breithorn and Monte Rosa.

The Valle d’Aosta and its Castles by Giorgio Giubelli (Co. Graf, 1996) is one of several similar books available in English recounting the history and culture of the Aosta region.