An 0400 start and 1100 finish today on the Grand Paradiso (from the Vittorio Emanuelle Hut) ensured fine crisp snow conditions throughout the ascent of the normal west flank route.

It was a busy day on the mountain as numerous teams headed over from Chamonix as an alternative to the Gouter Route on Mont Blanc.

The Ciarforn normal route had tracks on and looked a much more attractive proposition than the North Face which is in a mid-summer mess! Photo on our Alpine Conditions Gallery.

Meanwhile over in the Swiss Valais Alps, Dave Hollinger reported fine, dry conditions for a traverse of the Matterhorn via the Italian and Hornli Ridges