UKC

Hi, was just wondering how easy it is to get from Chamonix to Gran Paradiso? also any recomended guide books for gran paradiso?
Cheers, Scott.

In reply to scotty_webster: By car just drive through the Mt Blanc tunnel, then turn left after a bit to head up to the Gran Paradiso (alternatively go via the Col de Montets & the Grand St Bernard - no tolls but much longer if very scenic). Its also possible by bus but you'll proabably have to change a couple of times, eg at Courmayeur & Aoste.

Only guide books I've seen have been in Italian

In reply to scotty_webster: It well works by bus too. Chamonix-Aosta then Aosta-Pont Valsavaranche. There is a campsite in Pont at the foot of the approach to Gran Paradiso. The normal route is described in several selected guides such as Goedeke's or Moran's 4000m books. More detail is given in the very dated Collomb guide "Graians East" which is available after a little searching.

In reply to scotty_webster:

The main guidebook is Maurizio Oviglia. Although the title is in English ie 'Rock Paradise', the guide is in Italian. But it is pretty clear anyway, and an Italian-English dictionary or friendly locals can sort out any unclarity. Great place

In reply to Eric Herring:

I mean 'by Maurizio Oviglia' of course.

Scotty !

There is no need to look for any guide-s. Almost straight line from UK to Aosta Valley. YES - via Mont Blanc Tunnel. U need to get to Pont (little village, 2-3 motels, petrol station-looks like a small shop or information point. One cash point (don't know if works).Have some money with u (exchanged already)as i was very close to "ruin it"-had lots of problems with it (credit, solo, maestro)

Remember, u will find 2 Pont villages - names on the map.

U pass the village, u pass camping "place" on your left and drive straight ahead - big parking area, info point, restaurant, motel- or hotel. When u get there u can leave the car for 2-3-4 days (usually people do Paradiso that way), go along the river, path through the wood-forest, above it u can't miss the obvious route to Vittorio Emanuelle refuge. From there through big stones, rocks to the snow line........

U cannot see the summit for a long time (i would say)
It's very, very easy mountain, i had my crampons, no ice-axe, just walking poles but would take it this time, trekk boots, u will ruin plastic ones.U could take a piece or rope, depends who u going with, i didn't even use it.
If Vittorio refuge doesn't work (end of season) shelter - hut behind it is always open.

Nice landscapes, nice area, helpful people in Pont.
Few photos in my gallery. Good luck my friend

In reply to scotty_webster:

If for "Gran Paradiso" you mean "climbing the normal route to Gran Paradiso main summit - 4061m", going from Chamonix to Pont Valsavaranche (where the normal route or the NW face starts) or even Cogne (if you want to climb the more adventurous East face) is pretty straightforward - it's a 60m drive through the tunnel, Courmayeur then out of the highway at Aosta Ovest, then follow the "Pont Valsavaranche" or "Cogne" indication, according to the destination.

As MG explained, it works quite well via bus too (and is far cheaper). Here's the timetable Chamonix-Aosta
http://www.regione.vda.it/trasporti/orariolinea_i.asp?codlinea=236

and here's the one Aosta-Pont Valsavaranche
http://www.regione.vda.it/trasporti/orariolinea_i.asp?codlinea=60

If you've a modicum of alpine experience, I suggest you don't climb the normal route via the Vittorio Emanuele hut (that may be packed beyond belief), but the slightly longer and harder via the Federico Chabod hut - the starting point is always Pont Valsavaranche, but the trail for the Chabod hut requires a longer walk. Here's the link of the hut

http://www.granparadiso.net/en/rifugio-federico-chabod-valsavarenche.aspx
http://www.rifugiochabod.com/html/eng/index.php?

The "Rock Paradise" guidebook - authored by Maurizio Oviglia - is one of the best climbing guidebooks ever published, and will make you mouth literally foam, but deals exclusively with rock climbing, not comparively easy alpinism as the normal route of GP is. You should still buy it however, as it may give you plenty of ideas!

For the normal route, Martin Moran guidebook is an excellent choice.

Hope this may help.

In reply to scotty_webster:

I would recommend you go to the chabod hut too. Good wine, good food, good folks,cracking view up the north face, easy access to that face and the normal route and a good wander up to the hut. View from top of Gran paradiso excellent northward over the range. Great climb on North face and fun normal route too.

In reply to normie boy:

Chabod hut is much nicer and even the normal route from there, also the girls working there are nicer

Here is another two nice alternatives up to the top - http://album.spinphys.org/fuori/topo01.jpg - The left start as a very nice traverse to the top (a shorter version of the full traverse) and in the middle you have an easier variant to the north face with a nice ridge to the summit.