Gran Paradiso Summit - Italy

Towering above Valsavarenche in the Gran Paradiso National Park, standing at 4061 metres, this is the highest peak inside Italy's border, and rated as non-technical.

So if you want a crack at your first 4000m alpine peak without having to worry about scaling sheer walls of rock and ice, this is it.

What's more you get first hand experience of glacier crossing with highly experienced alpine guides.

Join a group on this excellent weekend, pack it in over three days on the mountain, and all you have to do is get yourself to Turin airport by the right time on the day of departure - and of course bring your gear with you.

Val d'Aosta in north west Italy has a unique atmosphere, it slices abruptly from the northern Italian plain into the Alpine chain culminating at the Mont Blanc Tunnel. It has for centuries been one of the main thoroughfares across the Alps, which is evident by the superb fortifications dating from Roman times that can be seen along its length. Once owned by the Dukes of Savoy the semi Franco, semi Italian culture is also unique.

The true majesty of what lies behind the rock walls and hills overlooking the valley only becomes finally evident as we cut off back south from Val d'Aosta to the high alpine pastures in Valsavarenche - in the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park.

The first night's stay is at 1960m, and on the second day we'll ascend to 3200m before coming back down to overnight at the refuge at 2750m, thereby giving you time to acclimatise to the altitude before the summit day.

Testimonials

Apart from the weather which hampered our summit attempt, this trip was superbly organized by Spacebetween - it was difficult to pick holes in any of it. The accommodation was superb, food good, and in the wake of the diabolical weather conditions, our guides went the extra mile to organize some extras for us in the form of some rock climbing.

One of the joys of booking with a small business who are in tune with their client's needs.

I would thoroughly recommend this trip. Paul Funnell. September 2006

Season

July to mid September

Departures to date

2008 - contact us for more information.

Pricing

Standard weekly package :

Hotel and refuge full board - £655

For non-standard periods and programmes, contact us to discuss the options. Read about our flexible way of working.

Walking Grades

grade

What's included

4 day break. 3 nights accommodation full board first and final night in hotel, second night in Refuge.

Two days guided walking by an International Mountain Leader, one day guided summit ascent by an Italian speaking Guide de Haute Montagne.

Transport from and to Turin airport. All technical gear bar crampons and ice axe.

All parties must supply their own appropriate clothing and footwear.

Itinerary

• Day 1 Arrive Turin airport, pick up and transfer to the Aosta valley (about an hour and a quarter), lunch stop, and then carry on up to Valsavaranche (3/4 hr). Check into Hotel Genzianella. Dinner here.
  
  
• Day 2 Start about 9 a.m., walk up to the Refugio Chabod, lunch there, and leave kit. Spend the afternoon gaining the top of Punta Money at 3273m. IML guided. Back to Chabod, meet guides and dinner.
  
  
• Day 3 Summit day, start 5.00 am. From the refuge, climb steeply up the moraine below the walls of Montandayné to access the Laveciau glacier. Cross the glacier and ascend towards the col at Becca di Moncorvé. Just before the col turn back across the glacier and climb towards the summit ridge. Just below the summit, leave sacs and scramble (roped) up the last 50m to the summit.
  
  Descend either via the acent route, or down via the Refugio Vittorio Emanuele II to the hotel at the base of the valley.
  
  
• Day 4 Breakfast and return to Turin airport.

Suitable for

Adults and over 18s.

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