Starting from the king of the Gran Paradiso National Park to end with the climb of the Capanna Margherita, Europe highest mountain Hut at 4554 mt, on the well known Signalkuppe or Punta Gnifetti.
This program will allow you in one week to learn the basic techniques of mountaineering, of glacier walking and of new safety systems, while being in a beautiful alpine environment, with huts known for their Italian quality.
This program will allow you in one week to learn the basic techniques of mountaineering, of glacier walking and of new safety systems, while being in a beautiful alpine environment, with huts known for their Italian quality.
We will start with the ascent of Gran Paradiso (4061 mt) to finish with the ascent of the Punta Gnifetti (4554 mt), in the Monte Rosa massif, where we will stay two days.
Gran Paradiso, a summit at 4000 meters accessible to novice mountaineers who are in good physical condition, is located at the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park, it is a jewel of the Aosta Valley. It will be your first 4000 which will allow you to well acclimatize for the next ascent.
The Punta Gnifetti is one of the main peaks of the Monte Rosa Massif and it is surely the highest peak in the Alps easily accessible for intermediate mountaineers.
The view from up there is exceptional on all the Alps, you have the impression of having the world at our feet, only the Punta Dufour overlooks us.
Once at the top, we will visit the famous Capanna Margherita - 4554 mt - the highest observatory hut in Europe and we will eat Europe highest pizza before heading back down to the Città di Mantova hut. The hut will be our base camp for the ascent to the Pyramide Vincent (or another 4000 in the surrounding area) and to the Punta Gnifetti.
The guide will adapt to the weather and mountain and group conditions to make the most of this week.
Day 1
VALSAVARENCHE - RIFUGIO CHABOD (2710 mt)
Meeting at 3:00 p.m. in Valsavarenche and departure for the Chabod Hut. Click on the Map below to see the departure point: you can park the car just aside the river.
We will walk about 2/3 hours to reach the hut. During the walk we will have the chance to appreciate the landscapes, the fauna and the flora of the Gran Paradiso National Park. Once we arrive at the hut and after settling in, we will check the equipment and organize the backpack the next day. Night at the refuge.
Day 2
RIFUGIO CHABOD - GRAN PARADISO (4061 mt) - CHABOD HUT
Departure at 4/5 am, ascent to Gran Paradiso and return (6 to 8 hours). The day starts with about 40 minutes of walking on a path to reach the first part of the glacier; the climb continues to reach the glacier shoulder in about 2/3 hours, leaving the last ramp to overtake the glacier terminal and reach then to the Madonnina, following easy steps along the rocky ridge. The descent will be done on the same side. Walking time: about 6/8 hours - return to the hut scheduled for 12.00/1.00 pm, depending on the training of the group. Afternoon and night at the hut to rest properly for the next day.
Day 3
CHABOD HUT - GRESSONEY - RIFUGIO CITTA DI MANTOVA (3498 mt)
Descent from the Rifugio Chabod in the morning. Once back down in Valsavarenche, you will drive together with the guide to Staffal, the last inhabited hamlet in the Gressoney valley, and reach the departure of the Gabiet cable car. We will therefore reach Punta Indren by cable car and from there we will walk for 40 minutes to reach the refuge "Città di Mantova" where we will have dinner and stay overnight.
Day 4
CITTA DI MANTOVA HUT - SNIGNALKUPPE / CAPANNA MARGHERITA (4554 mt) - GRESSONEY - AOSTA
The climb to Margherita Hut starts at the early lights of dawn. After a good breakfast, using front lamps and after being roped up, you will begin your climb along Lys glacier, which will take you to the saddle of the homonym Pass (4248 mt). You will reach the Capanna Margherita, climbing on the top of Punta Gnifetti (4554 mt.), around mid-morning. Once on top our eyes open on the magnificent summits of Punta Zumstein (4561 mt) and Punta Dufour (4633 mt - the highest summit of Mont Rose) and the vertiginous walls of Lyskamm. You will enjoy the satisfaction and the panorama from the hut’s terrace and resume your energies, warming yourself up with a cup of hot tea. The descent will be along the same climbing route. Consider about 5/6 hours of ascent and 3 of descent. You will arrive at Rifugio Mantova for lunch time - you can then take a break and stop for a pasta and finally walk down with the guide to Punta Indren again, to take the cable car back to Staffal. In the afternoon we will descend back down in the valley and return to Aosta.
The price includes:
Not included in the price
Dates
Below are some dates we propose, but do not hesitate to contact us at info@espritmontagne.com if you wish to organise the Ascent on a different date.
The Ascent for the dates below is guaranteed with 4 participants.
If the number of participants is not reached 21 days before departure, Esprit des Guides SA will cancel the reservation and refund the payment received (3% will be kept for bank fees).
If you wish and if you agree, Esprit des Guides SA can still offer you to pay the remaining balance based on the number of participants reached (see prices above) and therefore guarantee the departure.
First layer on the skin:
Second layer:
Third layer:
Last layer:
Important Additionals:
N.B. Consider a change for when you are back to the hut (you can leave some stuff at the hut).
Well-trained mountaineers of an average level, in search of new perspectives: From Gran Paradiso to Monte Rosa provides a great variety of terrain. You will need to have a good level of fitness, good sense of balance and the ability to walk on rough terrain. This is a fairly non-technical excursion apart from some glaciated sections.
It is necessary to have a resistance to about 6 to 10 hours of walking a day and a good acclimatization to the high altitude as you will be staying at above 3500 mt.
It would be advisable for you to properly train and to climb a 3000 peak at least once before leaving for this Tour.
Insurance
We recommend to have your own personal travel insurance, covering accident abroad and repatriation.
How to reach Aosta Valley
Meeting point on the first day:
Meeting at 12 noon in Valsavarenche and departure for the Chabod Hut. Click on the Map below to see the departure point: you can park the car just aside the river.
If you are coming only for the climb, we can organize you a taxi to pick you up or the mountain guide can come to pick you up on the road nearby Aosta (organization upon booking).
