Pont in the comune of Valsavarenche is the main starting

point for the majority of people who leave to climb Gran Paradiso Italy's highest mountain peak at 4,061 metres. Gran Paradiso is also the only peak over 4,000 metres which sits entirely inside Italy. On September 4th 1860 the first summit ascent of Gran Paradiso was recorded for J.J. Cowell, J.Paynot, W. Dundas and J. Tairraz. Gran Paradiso is now classed as an easy 4,000 metre peak with only the last 60 metres requiring any technical skill.
Photographed in mid September this image shows the alpine meadow from Pont looking towards the Gran Paradiso massif. Shortly after this burst of light thick cloud, low mist and rain returned to once again hide Italy's highest mountain. File 2908.