The Gran Paradiso is the highest mountain entirely in Italy. At 4061 metres, it is the highest point in the national park of the same name. The Gran Paradiso National Park was established in 1922 and is the oldest in Italy. This course is ideal for those new to alpinism or for those who would like to experience the Alps in a long weekend. The program is flexible and can be adjusted to include more rock climbing for example. The grade range of this course will be F to AD- depending on previous experience.
Dates: June, July, August, September.
Ratio: 1:3 Maximum.
Who’s it for: Anyone with hill walking experience who wishes to experience mountaineering in the Alps and learn some alpine mountaineering skills.
| WHAT’S INCLUDED | WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED |
|---|---|
| Instruction/Guiding | Insurance (essential) |
| Harnesses, helmets, via Ferrata equipment | Crampons, ice axe, boots (can be hired in Chamonix) |
| Personal hut fees on a half board basis | Accommodation in Chamonix |
| Transport during the course, fuel, tunnel fees and parking costs | Uplift |
| Guides hut fees, lunches and uplift | Personal lunches, drinks and drinks at huts |
Sample program
The course begins the evening before day one to hire and check equipment. This allows for an early start the next morning.
Day 1: Meet in Chamonix and hire/check equipment. We then use the Montenvers railway to gain access to the Mer de Glace. The day will then be spent on the glacier completing an Ecole de Glace session concentrating on the use of ice axe and crampons and crevasse rescue.
Day 2: We leave Chamonix early in the morning and travel through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Italy. The Helbronner cable car is then used to access the Vallee Blanche. We will then climb one of a number of excellent summits such as; Aiguille d’Entreves (AD-, 3604m), Le Petit Flambeau (PD, 3440m) or Aiguilles Marbrees (PD+, 3535m).
Day 3: The first half of the day will be spent completing the Via Ferrata at Passy before travelling to the Valsavarenche and walking to the Refuge Vittorio Emanuele II where we overnight.
Day 4: An early breakfast and a start in darkness followed by a long glacial trek and rocky ridge will lead to the summit of the Gran Paradiso (4061m). Following our descent, to the hut and lunch, we will return to Chamonix.
The itinerary may change due to weather conditions.
