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Refuge Igloo des Pantalons Blancs – Swiss Alps

Refuge Igloo des Pantalons Blancs (at 3280 m) is in the Wallis region of Switzerland, in the area of lake Dix. This is a very pleasant place, remote and beautifully built wooden half-dome structure. The refuge is perched on a rock surrounded by a glacier. There exists also a separate shed with wood and (a frozen) toilet.

[A. Dedic: Djevojka iz moga kraja]

Essential information about the refuge is as follows:

  • Longitude: 7.36848 (7° 22′ 7.99″ E).
  • Latitude: 46.04054 (46° 2′ 29″ N).
  • Capacity: 15-17 people.
  • Mattresses: available.
  • Blankets: available.
  • Stove: both gas and wood (as of July 2007).
  • Access route: from lake Dix dam, 3 hours and 30 minutes or more.
  • Guardian: no.
  • Water: from melted ice and snow.
  • Wood: available.
  • Owner: Le Club Alpin Suisse (CAS) Sion.
  • Open: always.
  • Payment: there is a box on the wall, visitors are supposed to put 20 Swiss francs in.
  • Nearest peaks to climb: Pointe du Cret (3322), La Sale (3646), Rochers du Bouc (3314).

Access roads, source – Federal Topographical Office:

Area around Igloo des Pantalons Blancs (red dot) and access roads.
The area around Igloo des Pantalons Blancs (red dot) and access roads.

Map (courtesy of  © OpenStreetMap) of the two routes:

Access routes to Igloo des Pantalons Blancs. Blue route: alpinistic equipment required.
Access routes to Igloo des Pantalons Blancs. Blue route: alpinists equipment required.

My climb to Refuge Igloo des Pantalons Blancs

I came by car to the parking below the Dix dam (2100 m, Grande Dixence) which is an attraction for itself, 285 meters high.

From the dam, I walked up to the Barma hut (2458 m), which is always open and with a guardian for weekends only. From this point, I continued to the summit of Rochers du Bouc (3314 m).

The first part of this section is rather steep and demanding, with the total altitude difference of about 850 meters to the summit, but it is all the time just a walk-up. The upper part, closer to the summit is rather pleasant and with wonderful views, as may be seen from photos below.

The walk over the Rochers du Bouc is unproblematic except at one point when you pass the summit and start descending toward the short passage over a glacier in order to get to the hut.

There is a fixed iron chain on a rather steep rock, perhaps some  8-10 meters long (see the movie below with a group of climbers which I found on YouTube, at 10:45).

I did not have a rope to secure myself (did not know about this particular section), so sliding down the chain was a bit scary because of the deep drop below it.

But everything was fine and I was in the hut in  3 hours and 30 minutes from the dam.  The weather was fine all the time and my plan was to spend the night there. From the log-book which I saw there, it appeared that 12 people were sleeping the night before (it was Sunday). But I was alone, it was Monday (just to know how to choose if you decide to go there).

The wood was available, so I made a fire and cooked a soup after bringing snow from outside in a large pot. The atmosphere was just perfect.

But the night was still young when the wind started, clouds descended on the area, and it became rather noisy. However I was very happy, the building is simply beautiful (just see these pictures bellow), it was warm inside, and I was in a great mood after eating and making a coffee.

Refuge Igloo des Pantalons Blancs
Igloo des Pantalons Blancs.

It was much later during the night that I realized it was snowing. It was a mixture of snow and hail.

This made me worried as I expected the section with chain would become tricky if it was covered with ice. Though there was no much choice but to wait for the dawn and to see the situation.

So with the first daylight, I decided to move back. At the chain there was snow and it was slippery, but I decided to ignore the abyss and climbed it up.

The rest of the route was under snow and there were no marking visible any longer. So I kept the summit of Rochers du Bouc in sight and managed to pass it. The rest was easier, just following the ridge toward the lake which was soon in sight.

This episode describes how unpredictable weather can be at such altitudes, and it is compulsory to carry the necessary equipment even if it looks redundant.

I have described the normal route to Refuge Igloo des Pantalons Blancs, but there is another possibility to reach the Igloo. Instead of climbing  Rochers du Bouc, just continue along the glacier valley on the right side of the mountain (see the blue line on the map above, and also the movie below at 13:20).

Most of the time this is a simple walk along the valley, but for the final part, you will need all that is necessary for a steep glacier climbing (crampons, an ice axe, a rope and a harness if you are in a group). This is not a route for beginners and for those without equipment. I would not recommend going solo that way.

There are many nice peaks to climb around, see for example Rosablanche described in another page in the site.

Please leave some comments below, I shall be happy to read them and to answer any question.

Below is a YouTube video that shows ascending the normal route and descending along the valley. I hope you have enjoyed my story. It will be great to have your comments. If you have been there please share this with me.

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Comments

  1. I just found your website! That area is very beautiful. Much more beautiful than the part of Germany were I once lived.

    I’m glad you included the video. It was the next best thing to being there.

    Although I am still learning about mountains, it interesting how different mountains seem to have very different personalities.

    Reply

    • Thank you Sondra. This tour to the Igloo was again something special for me. I was hoping to have it selfishly for myself only, and indeed this was the case. So it was a perfect night in solitude in such an unusual place with glaciers around. Yes, you are right and you put it nicely, mountains have so different personalities. I wonder how many people are able to feel it, no doubt you are one of them, and this is rare. All the best to you.

  2. Hvala, Jovo

    What a beautiful song and such an awesome website. Your passion shows in your work and I’ve loved every part of it. You may very well have invented the “Selfie!”.
    Keep up the great work my friend and never stop the adventures!
    Continue the climb!
    Bravo!
    ~Jim

    Reply

    • Many thanks Jim for such kind words. So you noticed the song, it is in Serbian-Croatian language, a great peace from a singer who passed away recently admired by everybody there. His songs meant a lot for many in former Yugoslavia, and that accompanying female voice stays in my memory. Np plans to stop, this is what keeps me alive. All the best to you.

  3. What an inspirational and exciting site my friend! I look forward to seeing more. I do as much back packing as I can but, my most adventurous trip thus far has been in the Grand Canyon and Canyon lands National Park. : )

    Reply

    • Thanks Fyre, I would really like to visit the places you mentioned. Jovo

  4. Hi Jovo

    I just love yr “mountainsforeverybody” website, it is so neat and clean with lots of resources!! 🙂

    Wow, you have beautiful photos. I just love the outdoor activities you are having on the mountains. Although I am quite afraid of heights, to me, climbing the mountains can be quite scary … but I just love the mountains and the scenery …. Your beautiful photos gives me such warm feeling in my heart and I really enjoyed them, it is as if I am there, enjoying with you all, ha..ha.. lol. 😉

    Thank you for making me smile … and it is such a great feeling to see you doing what you love in life. I didn’t know the Wallis region of Switzerland, in the area of lake Dix can be such a beautiful and pleasant place. 😉

    Thanks a million for sharing such great reviews on “Refuge Igloo des Pantalons Blancs”.

    Jewel Carol

    Reply

    • Thanks Jewel for such kind words which bring smile to my face. Great to read your lines. Jovo

  6. Great post Jovo.

    I also love the mountains, although I prefer skiing down them than climbing them. That might have something to do with the fact that at the end of a day’s skiing I can look forward to a nice meal in a cosy hotel. What you did (alone, on the top of a mountain, at night, in bad weather) takes a lot more character. I agree with Gunny mac’s comments about enjoying solitude – I’m just not sure that I could enjoy it under those more extreme conditions. Respect to you!

    And… I wouldn’t worry too much about achieving perfect English in your posts. Your writing is perfectly understandable and seems to convey your thoughts extremely well. It’s far more important to write with flow and enthusiasm (and you certainly achieved that) than to sacrifice readability to correctness.

    Reply

    • Thank you Kelvin for kind words and encouragement. It means a lot to me having such a comment from somebody whose native language is English. I am used to use English in science, while this is something completely different, a lot of emotions involved. Many thanks again. Jovo

  7. Your website brought a smile to my face…its nice to see someone share their experiences doing what they love. Some times it is nice to be alone without someone talking and interrupting the peace and quiet around you. I’m convinced not enough people spend time with themselves and get to know who they are and find out where they are going. We waste so much time trying to entertain ourselves with worthless electronics. I’m with you on this one- of my most blessed time was cross country skiing with 240 Marines in Alaska at midnight wearing a large pack on my back with the moon throwing light across the windswept snow and all I heard was the gentle swishing of the skis across the snow and the ice crystals hitting my parka.

    Reply

    • Thank you Gunny mac. Your comment is the best I have ever received. You understood it, the real essence of it, and you brought me to tears. Now I know someone is able to understand it. Jovo

  8. Hi Jovo, incredible sights you present us here again, your video and story make me drool to spend a night in the Refuge Igloo des Pantalons Blancs, fantastic views, Loes

    Reply

    • Great to realize that you like it. Spending a night there is a wonderful experience. Jovo

  9. I love this story! I’m going to forward it to a friend who comes from Switzerland and knows the Alps. Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Thank you Shivanii. I hope your friend will like the story about one beautiful part of Switzerland. Jovo

  10. Hi Jovo your website gives me a good understanding how this outdoor recreation is so fasinating. The video is very nice and greatly adds the real imagination to the story. So how many day and night do you spend in a whole trip? The mountain climbing in my country is not as fasinate as you do enjoying in Europe since there are not any snow covered mountain like yours. Thank to your information.

    Reply

    • Many thanks Tinnakon. This was a two-days solo tour in a great environment. Great you liked it. Jovo

  11. Hi Jovo –

    Beautiful pictures and great article. I feel like I was there! That was quite a climb.

    Looking forward to the next one!!

    Joan

    Reply

  12. Very good post and very good images well layed. I suggest you continue to improve your writing in English,

    Reply

    • Thanks Wedge910. English is not my native so I use what I have. Hopefully it will become better in time. Glad to realize that you like the story. Jovo

  13. Hello again Jovo. This is great stuff. No…. it’s amazing adventures. I live vicariously through your exploits. Keep going but be careful, and yes, I think maybe you invented selfies lol. All the best.

    Jeff

    Reply

    • Many thanks Jeff. Very kind words. So you agree, selfies were invented there at 3200 meters. Jovo

  14. Mountain climbing is one of those things that I have never tried, but definitely intend to at some point. From the pictures I can see that your climb to the refuge was truly a great experience.
    I enjoyed reading your post.
    Adam

    Reply

    • Thanks you Adam. I suggest you to try yourself. It is a great activity. Jovo

  15. Hi Jovo!

    Love your site! This is the perfect way for me to look at beautiful mountains; on photos! I could not walk in many of the places you describe since I am so afraid of heights, but I would really like to, since the mountains are gorgeous. The ‘igloo’ looks really cozy too, a perfect place to meditate when you are alone there.

    Thanks for posting!
    Kristina

    Reply

    • Thanks Kristina. It was a great experience. Though it can be a nightmare if many people are there, somebody always snores. I was lucky. Jovo

  16. Hi Jovo there was some amazing photos on that mountain, the video was very good, very interesting and it kept my interest till the end. It was very informative of the personal input and the facts of the mountain . job well done
    Thanks
    Willie

    Reply

    • Thanks William, great to read your impressions. Very much appreciated. Jovo

  17. Hi Jovo. I really enjoyed reading about your climb to the Refuge. I must say that I don’t think the route over Rochers du Bouc would be for me. It looks steep and a bit scary for my taste. 🙂 I love all of your pictures and am especially fascinated by the Igloo. The Wallis region of Switzerland is definitely some beautiful country.

    Reply

    • Hi Michele. Thanks for the comment. It always look more scary from some distance. Once you start climbing you realize that there is always some way to go up. This particular is not so scary, the chain section only may be problematic for some. Jovo

  18. Hello, Jovo. Wow, those photos are beautiful and I love the video. Great review and it is really interesting. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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