The Grand Combin is a mountain massif in the western Pennine Alps in the canton of Valais (Switzerland). At a height of 4,314 metres (14,154 ft) the summit of Combin de Grafeneire is one of the highest peaks in the Alps and the second most prominent of the Pennine Alps.
We climbed south-east ridge of Grand Combin de Grafeneire (technical difficult AD-) the first of september 2004.
This mountain is very wild. Climbing lasted two days, and we met nobody there. Also the refugee was closed, so we slept in winter bivouac (Chiarella all'Amiante refugee).
We started to climb at night (4:30 am) under the light of front lamp and moonlight. Under an ivory moon, we move slowly steps by steps... Sunrise at over 4000 meters high is an unforgettable experience!
The dawn caught us on the beginning of south east ridge, after crossing a glacier.
Dawn had the same color as flower sprouts, and we felt a great hope to reach the summit.
Mont Blanc summit was the the first mountain illuminated by sun...
Rope wasn't over our heads, but between us, join us together.
Here the snowly and dangerous edge. It was also hard to take some pics in this condition, but I got them.
Here the most technical step, a III grade with bad and not stable rocks, but were lucky: there wasn't ice on the stone!
And finally, after the last step, the summit!
The landscape was so wonderful and wide! It seemed to be on an airplane!
After some hugs, we started fast the long descent. On the summit we were only at halfway.
Here the rocky way to go back (Isler shoulder):
And some glaciers to pass through...
We are back in the afternoon. At the end, I was joking with my shadow. My body has come back, but my soul was still there, forever: this mountain, one of the best in the world, has given us a special gift: it has stolen a piece of our heart, holding it close to him.
Thanks for reading!
Here the photographic sequence of the climb, with music:
