Camping/Bivvying in the high Alps

Has anybody had any experience of camping or bivvying in the alps above the 4000m mark?

Im an experienced wild camper especially in winter in Britain and Ireland and am heading to the Valais Alps this september.  Beginner peaks to begin with, (Weissmies, Lagginhorn, etc)

I would love to bivvy on or close to the summits of these mountains, is this a viable option?

Thanks

I am not familiar with that part of the Alps, but I have bivvied a few time around 4000 metres. Assuming you can find a flat spot, it's not really any different to camping anywhere else. Make sure you take a stove that will work in the cold.

The main worry is what would happen if the weather craps out. Being in a storm at 4000m is probably going to be life threatening. The other problem is moving at all at that altitude requires a lot of effort. If you are carrying extra gear and being slow, your chances of getting into a dangerous situation are much greater.

Ill be packing as light as i can manage, probably using a PHD bivvy bag and hispar sleeping bag. If conditions allow i could dig a small snowhole too; thats if there is sufficient snow up there at that time of year.

The lure of an alpine sunset and sunrise is too much for me. Weather permitting of course!

Derek Goffin would be the one to ask on here - just back from the Andes. I've camped at 4200m. Used 4 season gas just fine with a remote stove and preheat tube, just flipped the can over.
From what I can gather, late September is pretty dire weatherwise and wildcamping is frowned on in the Alps generally. Can't see the problem with a bivvy myself, stealthy is always good.

hi. was there a couple of summers ago on these peaks. never bivvied though. but there are usually unofficial spots close to the huts. bivvying can restrict you to going up and down the same way, to collect your stuff, on the way back down. rather than a traverse of the top, eg on the wiesmies, your descent can be another route.

i have heard that there are free lifts operating this summer, and also deals on trains in may and sept.

feel free to get in touch if any questions. went to zermatt valley last year which is not too far and worth a look.

dan.