The Next Summit: Gran Paradiso to Mont Blanc (and what I learnt along the way)”

The adrenaline filled trip was nothing but perfect.

When my friends and I started chatting about embracing higher climbs, I knew I had to give it a go - the sooner the better! I embarked in a spontaneous bout of research for the perfect place and – faster than you can ‘Perfetto’ - I came across these amazing shots of Gran Paradiso. I knew I was hooked.

A moderate amount of additional research brought the plan together (certainly but not that slowly) and, after checking on available dates, finding what seemed like the perfect guide (he was!) and enrolling my good friend Kyle to join me, I had my next adventure all down on paper and firmly set in the (very busy) calendar. Gran Paradiso – I just couldn’t wait!

This majestic Alpine peak in the Northwest of Italy was going to be my first 4,000er and, as such, the perfect testing ground for higher mountains and glaciers and the first step to achieving my long-term mountaineering goals – nothing like a bit of healthy ambition to spice up one’s life – so, when the time finally came to board that plane to beautiful Italy and when we landed in Turin, I really did feel elated, and hopeful all the preparation we undertook during the previous few months would prove adequate to the task.

Fast-forward to the beginning of this adventure – and not neglecting to visit some of the stunning surrounding areas – we drove past some incredible mountain views in the Gran Paradiso National Park (by many described as the Italian version of Yellowstone), and prepared to start the climb near the glacier rivers at the bottom of the 7th highest mountain in the Graian Alps with an elevation of 4061m

The incredible views of the alps driving to our start point.

Excitement built the closer we got to beginning the ascent, and I’d be lying if I denied there was also a certain degree of nervousness, but that’s healthy…you know…keeps you grounded (and alive).

Fate decided this was to be one of the hottest weekends in the area, and the temperature at the bottom was over 40°C, so the start of the climb was tough.

We had already decided to stay at Rifugio Federico Chabod, a mountain hut perfect for the task, and enjoying a spectacular view over the whole massif at 2710m above sea level. This helped us to acclimatise for the summit day, and here is where we got to know our guide – wonderful Elis - over a cheeky beer and a Limoncello the night before. We set the alarm for 4:00 am and – full of excitement - we began our climb to the top on rocky terrain, in the dark, with our path lit only by our head torches.

The head torches in full swing just before the sun began to rise.

I will never forget the feeling of seeing the sun rising behind us during this very first experience on a glacier: I could finally see it, and feel the ground under my feet. It’s something I’m struggling to describe well enough to do this justice…This was definitely one of the most stunning views I’ve EVER had the fortune to contemplate.

With our UIAGM IFMGA Mountain Guide – Elis, you were a true star - we progressed over the Schiena D’Asino (The Donkey Back) ridge at 3700m and, quite suddenly, the wind became a force to reckon with and hit us with constant gusts we had to fight against. The game had just got tougher and all our training days did help a lot with the physical side, but nothing could fully help you prepare for the mental side of this – you are there in the moment, and you have to face the music.

The Donkey Back Ridge pre-wind picture.

We took every step with a lot of caution. At one point, one of my legs slipped down a covered crevasse deeper than my reach and the situation got serious really fast. Luckily, our guide was incredibly experienced and had already briefed us on the possibility of this happening, so Kyle and I had a good idea of what to do. Elis was quick to react and brake, no damage was taken, and we pushed on (maybe a tad shaken, but certainly fine and not less determined to make it to the top).

The summit was now in sight, but every step took more out of us. We knew this might happen, and we had to keep going.

As we zigzagged our way up to the top we passed a few people and got closer and closer. We reached the point offering a view of the pinnacle, and this is where we stripped our crampons off to finish the climb.

And, suddenly, there it finally was…As we reached the top, the incredible experience of finally seeing this easily recognisable rock formation and being able to look back and scope out the way we took to climb up produced a lot of emotions – I wouldn’t want to spoil this for anyone who might be planning the trip, but I really couldn’t recommend it enough (with the due preparations). This is a climb through pristine trails that wind through mountains, dense forests, breath-taking glacial valleys and, at the top, you will enjoy an incomparable view of all the surrounding peaks (Mont Blanc among those). Pure joy!

Standing on the summit of Gran Paradiso, 4061m.

The really high winds meant we couldn’t spend too long at the summit, so we began a speedy descent but we still had plenty of time to check out the incredible view on offer. The heat got more and more aggressive – we fully empathised with the local Italians complaining of a heatwave (it’s not easy to bear).

We reached Rifugio Federico Chabod – where we had started our adventure - and we were told we’d somehow made it to the fastest climb of the day: climb and descent all within 5hr55mins. Not bad…Not bad… but I swear, never have I needed a can of Coca-Cola so much...oh and a beer!

Instead, we celebrated with a "typical local coffee" (apparently) from a "Friendship Wood Cup” a coffee-based alcoholic drink enjoyed through a wooden cup displaying multiple drinking holes. We were under strict instructions: this drink needed to be sipped and passed to the person on the left without touching the floor/table before all of it was gone. Had we failed to complete this task, this would have allegedly led to forever-lasting bad luck… I guess it added to the excitement.

"Enjoying" the wooden friendship cups content.

We then proceeded to descend the remaining 1000m (very slightly intoxicated) before making our way back to the hotel, and, ultimately, to reality.

To conclude: did the experience match expectations?

It was everything and more. Words can't describe how much my adrenaline junkie spirit needed this. I’d say the biggest learning was around clothing and how quickly we had to work out when to take layers off and when to layer up again. It turns out that, once you start sweating, you need to take layers off because the higher up you get the more the sweat begins to cool you down – against expectations! The main aim here is (clearly) to reduce sweating in the first place.

The toughest part of it was definitely Exhaustion (with a capital E). My legs were getting fatigued, which is what I am now working on hugely whilst I get ready for the upcoming trip to Mont Blanc in July.

Eventually, I would love to keep climbing the Alps’ 4000m peaks and, potentially, to head to Nepal one day (when work quietens down – wish me luck with that) and to give a 6000m climb a good go, to test the body and mind.

Bring on Mont Blanc, I can’t wait!

Watch this space and drop your comments – we want to know if you’ve been to either Gran Paradiso or Mont Blanc. Has that changed your perception of what a great climb should feel like? Did you take back with you any great learnings which you know will be super-useful for your next adventures? Let us know.