Gran Paradiso 4061m

Just after dawn on the glacial ascent of the Gran Paradiso (4061m)

Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses visible beyond

The Gran Paradiso North Face (left) & Glacial Route from Chabod Hut (right)

The ascent of the Paradiso from the Vittorio Emanuelle Hut

A superb finale and narrow snow ridge to summit the Gran Paradiso

Fine early summer (late June) conditions on the Paradiso North Face

About a dozen teams on or about to start the North Face with some teams climbing the whole thing in 1 hour.

Topping out on the Gran Paradiso North Face

After a longer, tougher ascent in icier conditions later in the summer

The Fine Gran Paradiso Eastern Summit Ridge, Italian Alps

Mont Blanc & Grandes Jorasses in the background

Trekking up the snow covered glacier roped together

Early on the glacial ascent of the Gran Paradiso with Mont Blanc in the north

Ibex Play Fighting in the Gran Paradiso National Park

Ibex Play Fighting in the Gran Paradiso National Park

Alpine Gentian in the Grand Paradiso National Park

Alpine Gentian in the Grand Paradiso National Park