R1: Mountains 1 - Gran Paradiso

Hi STFers,

As I have "hinted" some weeks ago, I have spent - most of the time - the last three weeks in the Alps. Essentially it consisted of two big parts (the first broken up in two part too).

The first one was almost like an expedition to the highest (not THE highest, but quite high :-)) peaks of the Alps. I went there with a team consisting my parents and sister (they like mountains too :-)). First we were two days in the Gran Paradiso National Park (Northern Italy, south of the Aosta Valley and south ast of Mont Blanc) and climbed its highest peak (the Gran Paradiso - 4061m) ... which was also my/our first over 4000m peak. We started from the Rifugio Chabod (not from the more common Rifugio Emanuel), which was a good decision, as from there we had a far better view of Gran Paradiso, and also the traverse of the glacier was much more fun (even though, I have looked into the biggest crevasses I have ever seen :-)). Then from the peak, we had a magnificent panorama ... absolutely impressive ... only the pictures can give you a bit of that feeling.

Here I will post the pictures of this first excursion, the climbing of the Gran Paradiso (thats why I put the "1" in the subject, as this is part 1).

In the coming days I will continue to process and prepare my second set, which will be about 3 days in the Monte Rosa group (at the Swiss border, with even higher mountains to climb, more ice, more famous peaks). And in even more days (a week or two), I will post my last (third) set, which will show you around the beautiful mountains of the Sextener Dolomiten (in South Tirol, Hochpustertal - Alto Adige / Altapusteria) where I traveled with my wife and kids. There you will see - for example - the famous Drei Zinnen / Tre Cime etc.

But for now, enough words, and lets begin with the pictures. As always, I invite you to see the full set at Flickr (30 pics, including 2 panoramas, some crevasses etc.), as I can only post part of them here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/weathermaker/sets/72157624825598147/

And let me now your thought, feelings, ideas ... whatever

Donkeys

From Rif. Emanuel to Rif. Chabod

Gran Paradiso 1

Gran Paradiso Sunset 1

Gran Paradiso Sunset 2

Sunrise with Mont Blanc in the distance

Colle dell Becca di Moncorve

Looking down

At the peak of the Gran Paradiso (4061m)

Mont Blanc

... stay tuned for the other sets