After Grossglockner , they didn't make it to Mont Blanc due to the weather. Three weeks passed because of that... The second acclimatization (because the first one was a failure) began with a long drive to the Gran Paradiso National Park . The first day was for warming up the legs. A two-hour walk up the hill along a beautiful path to the Vittorio Emanuele II hut. This was followed by a complete disconnection. Considering that we started at 4 am in the morning, the free time was completely useful. A complete disconnection also because there was no network.
I couldn't sleep in the afternoon because there was too much noise (and I'm not really a napper). We sunbathed, leafed through magazines and books, and played a few games of rummy. Then came dinner ( pasta , mashed potatoes, and beef, with pear compote for dessert) and a briefing . We slept well at 2753m (half board costs €50 per person). We got a room for four with really comfortable beds. We had already packed our backpacks the night before and left thermoses so they could fill them with hot tea in the morning. The alarm clock rang at 3.30am.
Breakfast at 4am . Warm clothes, the salt is sparkling outside, gloves, gaiters, belts. Lights up and off we go. Snow starts right behind the hut. We can do the first part without crampons. Then, when it gets dark, we put on crampons. A little higher up, Andrej and Marija tie us up. It's steep. It also starts to blow and we're in the shade. The snow is nicely frozen and the equipment grips really well. The view is magnificent. I feel safe and just enjoy walking, the view, in the morning light, only in between the snow carried by the wind stings my cheeks a little.
After a good four hours we are at the top. It is a bit crowded because the peak is really small. Otherwise, despite the fact that we are still covered in snow in June. At the top we are happy that it has been reached and that we all have no major problems with the altitude. We take pictures and continue down so that others can reach the top. We eat something in the saddle and then the descent follows. First to the hut, where we take an hour break, put our wet equipment out of the sun. We put away our crampons, gaiters and harnesses.
Next comes the descent along the dirt track into the valley. From 4060m to 1960m. This Gran Paradiso was a beautiful tour. Practically nothing exposed (except for the last few meters below the summit). Satisfied and happy, we shower in the hotel in the afternoon and at dinner we plan again how and what for the next day. Now it will really work , tomorrow we will be somewhere under Mont Blanc.
