Although relatively short in distance at about 11 kilometers, and mostly downhill, this day's stage covers some of the most rugged terrain of the trip. Leaving the hut we first ascend the gentle upper slopes of the Mont Miné Glacier to the Col de la Tête Blanche at almost 3600 meters. A quick ascent of 3707 meter Tête Blanche is an easy, optional side trip from here, with magnificent views. The Dent Blanche looms nearby to the northeast; beyond it the Obergabelhorn, Zinalrothorn and Weisshorn march into the distance. To the east we see the Dent d'Hérens and our first up-close view of the Matterhorn.

Tearing ourselves away from the views, it's time to descend the crevassed Stockji glacier to leave it where it breaks to either side of the rock ridge called the Stockji. We pick up a faint path that traverses along the base of the Stockji to the moraines of the Schönbiel Glacier. Crossing these and the rubble-covered lower reaches of the glacier, we make our way up the steep northeastern bank to the Schönbiel hut, our last hut night of the trip. After an excellent dinner we can sit on the terrace and watch the daylight fade on the imposing North Face of the Matterhorn, just across the Zmutt glacier.