by Colley » Sun Oct 12, 2014 7:15 pm
Date walked: 15/08/2014
Ascent: 2232m
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This climb was the culmination of a week in the Alps last August on the KE Adventure/Mountain Tracks "Chamonix Gran Paradiso" trip. For those looking for an alpine intro/refresher I can't recommend this trip highly enough, well organised and with excellent guides.
The first half of the week was spent in the Mont Blanc massif practising alpine skills and acclimatising. On the Thursday after a morning crag climbing in Chamonix we drove through the Mont Blanc Tunnel into Italy and down to Valsavarenche. After a short stop for lunch in the restaurant at Pont the afternoon was spent climbing the 880m up to the Chabod Refuge on an excellent path with stunning views.
Hope that you enjoy the photos, if you haven't been to the Alps this is a great way to start with a 4000m peak in the bag!
- Attachments
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- The water trough at Lavassey provided a welcome stop, crystal clear freezing cold water just what was needed on a hot afternoon!
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- The view toward Pointe Blanche 3415m (L) and Pointe Bioula 3413m.
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- North up the valley of Valsavarenche.
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- Petit Paradis 3921m (L) and Gran Paradiso 4061m from below the Chabod Refuge
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- Chabod Refuge 2710m
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- Gran Paradiso from the Chabod Refuge, the route of ascent is via the low col centre right.
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- A blurry shot outside the refuge, 4.30am on the morning of the ascent.
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- On the Glacier de Laveciau just after dawn, Pointe Money 3272m behind. The climb to Gran Paradiso from The Chabod involves 1351m of ascent, but its all uphill with no annoying downhill sections.
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- A bit of an uphill slog but the views make it worthwhile!
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- Chabod Refuge just visible bottom left centre.
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- The rock outcrops "Il Roc" at 4026m
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- Towards the summit, far left with the white marble Madonna just visible.
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- The view SE back along the route of ascent. No summit poses I'm afraid, at this point my camera battery decided it was too cold and packed up!
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- Back to the Chabod Refuge just after 11 for lunch and then a walk back down to the valley and drive back to Chamonix. A really fantastic day in the mountains and one that I shall remember for a long long time.
