4061 MISSION COMPLETED
4061, which is the name of the "mission" is also the share of incoming, we crossed by two beautiful days : THE GRAN PARADISO !
was a bit 'we had in mind to cross a 4000 ... We were, however incecisi and hesitant in late July it was impossible to climb the Grand Paradise because of the large number of people present in the nearby shelters e. .. The Capanna Margherita, Monte Rosa, was definitely in the same conditions.
And then ... Will we reach 4000 meters? The only time we We suffered a lot left over-height, even if we reached the glacier Felik Day (see special section!).
But we feel if we can not then be patient. And so on, as usual, with the classic picture of "preparations", once the car arrived in the beautiful Valsavarenche.
A nice photo deserves a beautiful Valsavarenche, Moldova man's hand is very limited, probably due to the fact that the Gran Paradiso National Park.
After lunch in the small town with a delicious bowl of noodles with mushrooms porcini, we start with goal Refuge Vittorio Emanuele, "base camp" for the middle of the day. The scenery is always beautiful!
slowly climb down there you can see the first parking lot where we parked the car. The plants are increasingly rare, we're almost at 2500 meters. The car-parking should be remembered - is at an altitude of 1960 meters.
A look at the mountains around the valley. All very nice, as it was very nice blue skies that we had in two days (blue in the city unfortunately we see only on windy days because of pollution!). 
seems to see this film about Indians in the background where there are canyons and mountains of the Arizona desert and the rock is colored red.
above 2500 meters. As expected, the landscape starts to become more "tough" with no green lawns and some glacier around us. The mountain in the foreground should be Ciarforon, reaching a maximum height of 3642 meters. Semra so high ...
Another photo of the mountains surrounding the valley!
We are now Refuge Vittorio Emanuele, in 2775 meters. Ciarforon is close to us, and the landscape is always the hardest!
Here we are at our base camp! There he stayed and had dinner in the evening. Massimo has been central to the knowledge of some fellow travelers who convinced him to leave the next day! a mountain in front of us from the shelter
wake up at five, breakfast, prepared with a harness, crampons, rope, ice ax e. .. on, with the torches to illuminate the ground. We left in the dark!
The alarm clock so early allowed us to admire the sunrise in the mountains. Hardly our eyes and our mind will forget what we saw today!
The sun is rising. Wonderful image, that needs no introduction.
Meanwhile, we are raising the quota, and after a passage quite difficult Laveciau we approach the glacier, about 3400 meters high.
Last drawn on stony ground. From here on, crampons and rope walking!
Here is the entrance of the glacier, where the CIA are gearing up to follow it safely.
A look at the majestic glacier, we will have to go to the top. The cold was felt!
Here we go, watch the many crevasses exist along our path.
A rope by opening the road before us.
So much effort and after about an hour for the first time we see the sun on the snow. The wind was very strong, but it was also the only "noise" that we could hear! We and nature, nature and us!
For me (ste) the most exciting moment of the climb was beautiful and perhaps when we have erupted on the ridge at around 3700 meters and there was a strong wind that lifted reels of snow. preocedevamo silent on the rope to 10-15 meters of each other, taking care not move us too far from the cold wind: beautiful-just a few simple elements of nature: wind, cold, snow, sun and focus effort on trying to climb to save strength for the final ramps!
We're doing the
! We are tired, an effort perhaps never experienced before, but with great satisfaction, we are at 4000 meters. I do not care "record", but what you see from up there. And now I understand also that the various Zurbriggen first and then try Messner reached the summit of a mountain range, a indescribable feeling. You should first try and then comment on it ... 
The Madonna del Gran Paradiso welcomes us to the summit. Marino is the first to reach the goal!
A photo of the Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn from the summit. It 's amazing what you see from up there!
we had to climb, as mentioned, much of the morning on the glacier. This is the final stretch before the goal.
Group Photo: Maximum, Emanuele, Stefano and Marino.
Another photo of the magnificent panorama before you uncork a bottle of red that Marino has done to bring! 
began the descent. Goodbye Gran Paradiso, was a unique experience!
Glaciers retire. but we still have a chance to see the 30 meters accumulated. I wonder if in a few years will still be there ...
admire the descent of Mont Blanc. From the top you could see almost all the major peaks of the Alps, including Monte Viso.
The ice must be respected ... Here a very deep ravine, is why a lot of attention and caution. 
To get Max has even broken shoes. Here we see him attempt the repair! 
It 's done ... Now we can calm down!
In short, it was an unforgettable experience for me, allowed me to see how beautiful the world. This day I will stay a long time - perhaps forever - in the heart!
I owe thanks to Stephen Marino and Massimo you for sharing this emotion!
Until next time, Emanuele
