DE FR. Here you can get involved as a 'gear fairy'! The material is distributed in Visp at the station, then we go together by train to the station Riffelalp above Zermatt. From here it is about 8. The ascent takes about 3 hours, the descent another 2. To help as a gear fairy you need a big backpack 65L is ideal, at least 45L and hiking equipment. Good footwear is especially important as part of the way is off trail and through scree. We do not go onto the glacier, so you do not need special equipment.
Hiking poles are highly recommended, especially because of the weight of the backpack. We also have some extra backpacks and poles that you can borrow. Everybody can pack as much weight as they like, usually around 15kg per person. Every year we need gear fairies on three days: on the second day of the german-speaking expedition, in-between the two expeditions and on the third to last day of the french-speaking expedition. The helpers are only needed for these individual days, so you go up and descent in one day.
With a full backpack on the way up, or full backpack on the way down. Especially for people with a long journey to Zermatt it is a very long day, if you want you can of course plan a night in Valais. The helpers are, for the most part, among themselves, but we try to have a break on the way so you get to know the participants and instructors at least shortly. However, this year we are trying something new by offering the possibility for people to support the gear fairies directly by donating towards their train tickets.
If we are successful in this fundraising, we hope to offer you a partial refund for your transport by covering an equal percentage of your travel expenses based on the total amounts of funds we raise.
In the meantime, everyone is responsible for their own travel costs and food. For the train ride, it is worth asking the municipality early if they still have discounted day tickets approx.
