- Climb two 4000 metre peaks in just a week
- 3-day, flexible programme for climbing Mont Blanc
- Alpine climbing in Italy and France
- Excellent combination of Italy`s and Westen Europe`s highest peaks
- Traverse of the Vallee Blanche
This brand new alpine climbing holiday makes an ascent of Gran Paradiso (4061m), the only 4000 metre peak entirely within Italy's borders, before going on to climb nearby Mont Blanc (4807m). Arriving in Chamonix, we have a day's instruction and acclimatisation, which involves traversing the Vallee Blanche. Then, we drive across the border and make the short approach hike to the Refugio Vittorio Emanuele. The classic, easy snow climb to the summit of Gran Paradiso is a great introduction to Alpine climbing and provides perfect preparation for climbing Mont Blanc. Returning to Chamonix, we have allowed 3 days for the climb, with 2 chances of making the summit, either via the 'normal route' or via Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit. Guiding is at a ratio of 1:5 on Gran Paradiso and 1:2 whilst on Mont Blanc.
Trip Guide
This combination of Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc provides a challenging week of Alpine climbing. The ascent of Gran Paradiso and the normal route on Mont Blanc via the Gouter Ridge involve little in the way of technical difficulty. Weather conditions aside, the physical challenge and the effects of altitude will present more of a barrier to success than any technical obstacles. Led by professional IFMGA guides using a 1:5 ratio on Gran Paradiso and a 1:2 ratio on Mont Blanc, this trip will provide the opportunity to practice roped glacier travel and guided climbing, using crampons and a single ice axe. The ascents of each of the peaks will be strenuous on account of the altitude and group members should not only have a high level of fitness but be capable of completing long days in the mountains. You can also expect to encounter easy scrambling and some climbing on exposed ridges at altitude. Ropes, crampons and an ice axe will be used throughout the climb.
Depending on conditions and the assessment of your guides, there may be the option for rope pairs to make the ascent of Mont Blanc by the more challenging traverse over Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit. This exciting route is longer and involves a greater degree of technical difficulty than the Gouter Route. The Alpine grade for the ascent via the Gouter Ridge is PD-, and via the traverse the grade is PD/PD+
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