High Altitude Cappuccino

🗺️   Overview Highest point: Gran Paradiso, 4,061m — the only 4000er fully in Italy Elevation gain: 2250m over 2 days, 1350m the second Duration: 2h30 first day, 10-12h the second Day 1: Hike to Rifugio Federico Chabod (2h35, 950m elevation gain) Day 2: Ascent to summit and return to the valley (~11 hours total) Difficulty: Long but non-technical (glacier + short via ferrata) Gear: Crampons, harness, helmet, ice axe — rentable at the hut Best advice: Start early to avoid slushy snow and traffic on the summit! Download GPS file Gran Paradiso (4,061m) holds a special place in the Alps: it's the only 4000-meter peak located entirely within Italy. After climbing to Capanna Margherita last year (4,556m, the highest building in Europe), Gran Paradiso was the natural next step. It's known as one of the easier 4000ers technically—but don’t be fooled, it’s long and demanding due to the lack of lifts. Day 1 – The Climb to Rifugio Federico Chabod We arrived on a Sun...

🗺️ Overview Starting point:  Turtmann Valley, Senntum parking (1,900m) Arrival:  Barrhorn summit (3,610m) Altitude gain:  1,700m Duration:  2 days (if not an ultra-runner) Difficulty:  Moderate Technical difficulty:  Low (some ropes, loose gravel, altitude effects) Download GPS file The  Barrhorn  is known as the  highest officially marked hiking trail in the Alps  that doesn’t require mountaineering equipment. At  3,610m , you reach the summit with nothing more than a good pair of boots (plus the usual mountain essentials, of course). The route passes by the  Turtmannhütte , offering breathtaking views of glaciers and high peaks along the way. Day 1: The Ascent to Turtmannhütte I started the hike at the  parking lot in the valley , sitting at  1,900m .  💡 Important tip:  bring cash! The parking is paid, and my phone had no signal, so I couldn’t use the app. Since I had neither  cash nor network , I h...

🗺️ Overview Starting point:  Passo Fedaia (2,057m) Arrival:  Punta Penia (3,343m) Altitude gain:  1,286m Duration:  1 day Difficulty:  Hard Technical difficulty:  Medium Download GPS file I was in Istria, preparing for the trip to my parents’ chalet in Nevegal (Belluno) the next day. My guided tour to Punta Penia, the highest peak of  Marmolada — the Queen of the Dolomites —was scheduled for two days later, allowing me time to travel and rest. However, the agency called with unexpected news: rain was forecasted for my planned climb, but the day before was looking perfect. Could I anticipate the climb?  I hesitated . It would be a rush, but the opportunity was too good to pass up. In the end, I said yes. The Journey Begins After a long drive, we arrived in Nevegal at 18:00. The tour was set to start at 5:00 at  Passo Fedaia, a 1.5-hour drive  from Nevegal. With an early wake-up looming, I had dinner and tried to sleep by 20:00—but I coul...