Below Gran Paradiso (4061 m), looking northwest towards Mont Blanc, Europe's highest mountain.

Mountains always have this enigmatic character. What ever you do, no matter how easy it is to climb it, you never actually conquer it. 4000 meters (i.e. 14.000 feet) pose some initial problems of altitude and our pour lungs, but the fact is that you are small compered to it and you need to be aware of it.

Gran Paradiso is located in Aosta valley in north-west part of Italy and it lies in Graian Alps. If you care for more details on Gran Paradiso check Wikipedia or your local library. Few people, who actually do not know eachother gathered and decided to go there. As Gran Paradiso is regarded as one of easeier 4000 m climbs, we thought, why not. My wife's coworkers and myself started in Ljubljana, Slovenia 5am on hot summer morning. After 7 hour drive we arrived to Pont village in Valsavaranche valley close to Aosta. The weather was not really optimistic, after gazing at gray and dark sky. Though snow started to fall, imagine in the middle of August, our optimism was not demolished. Somehow we knew it will be OK and it seemed people had plan B in mind as being quite acceptable. If we end up in cottage due to bad weather at least we can have some beers - that was plan B. Simple as that.

Well, to cut story short, the weather was fantastic exectly the day we reached the summit. See photos below.

You may also check GRAN PARADISO in GALLERIES.

Again, below Gran Paradiso looking northwest towards Mont Blanc.

Did I mention it was sunny?

My wife Vesna, still jolly, before she saw what it will take to reach the summit. Crowded with mainly clumsy people, looking as if they just arrived from alpine clothing fashion show in Salzburg.

The photo below might throw some light on last airy meteres. Otherwise the climb is easy.

Piece of cake this Gran Paradiso. Rest on the way going back to cottage Vittorio Emanuele II.

And after such a succeful day, beer is well deserved and...

... apfelstrudel as well..

Don't ask!

And for the end, snowy group shot the day after.

And the passport photos collage of part of the group in case you fancy somebody.