This year’s dose of rocks and wine was enjoyed in Valle d’Aosta, Italy’s northeasternmost region at the border of Switzerland and France. Just south of Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, and north of Gran Paradiso, lots of altitude was to be gained. On two occasions, I finally could do some (legal!) wild camping – experiencing sunrise at 2700m is quite something. (But so is packing a frozen tent at 7:30.) The last week was spent in Gran Paradiso National Park, with the ascent of Monte Taou Blanc (3439m) being the highlight of the trip. Snow-covered peaks all around, a rocky moonscape and the glacier below – what a view!
