Gran Paradiso (4061m) – Valle d’Aosta – July 2014
Day 12: We had a leisurely 4.00am breakfast at the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele and waited for the bulk of the climbers to set off ahead of us (we hoped they would trample the fresh snow of yesterday and make the path easier for us!). The weather was fantastic and we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and a cool shady ascent to the summit.
Gran Paradiso Ascent
The summit was literally rammed with people and we sat in grid-lock on the exposed summit ridge for 20 minutes before we decided to sack it off and have a quiet elevenses further along the ridge a little way from the actual summit.
Phil near the Gran Paradiso Summit 4061m
Heather near Gran Paridiso summit 4061m
The views on the descent were equally spectacular though it got a lot hotter as the morning progressed.
View of Mont Blanc massif from the Gran Paradiso summit
We retuned to Rifugio Vit. Emanuele for a big lunch and a much needed long afternoon sleep.
You can hire a local guide for this trip from the local guides office, but it’s relatively easy for anyone with roped glacier crossing experience.
Read more about other days on this trip…
Author: Phil Newby
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