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Grand Paradiso NW Face

Gran Paradiso

A classic icy face leads to a fantastic summit

Alpine Climbing Severe

Distance
8.2 km
Ascent
1.3 km
Descent
1.3 km
Low Point
2.7 km
High Point
4 km
Gradient
38˚
Grand Paradiso NW Face Map

From the Chabod Hut follow the main track as for the Grand Paradiso normal route. Continue on the well marked rough trail as far as about 3030m, where you leave the main tracks, heading SE in the direction of the NW Face itself. Cross the rimaye at the easiest point and onto the face. This is a fairly uniform 50 to 55 degrees and may be in snow, nevé or ice. The Chabod Hut webcam will give you a good idea in advance to know what to expect. Give the dormant large serac above you a wide berth, though it rarely calves off chunks of ice. You exit onto the N ridge that leads directly onto the rocky block of the summit at 4061m. From the summit of the Grand Paradiso follow either of the normal routes down to the Vittorio Emmanuel or the Chabod Huts.

Difficulty

Severe

Steep, sustained and serious terrain on rock/ice. Routes will be long, exposed and possibly committing. D, D+

Extreme Exposure

4 out of 4

The majority of the route is "no fall" terrain.

Remoteness

4 out of 4

In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation.

Best time to visit

between April and July

Equipment required

  • Crampons
  • Quickdraws
  • Glacier kit
  • 2 Ice Axes

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area