It is with a team of three young athletes that I head to the Monte Rosa massif to attempt the ascent of their first 4000 meters. The Monte Rosa massif extends between Italy and Switzerland, its altitude is high and it concentrates an impressive series of peaks above 4000 m including the Lyskamm or the Pointe Dufour. We have the ambition to climb the Zumstein peak 4562m. This summit of initiation to the high mountains does not present any particular technical difficulties, it is ideal for a first 4000m in a mountaineering career. From Gressoney, at the end of the morning, we take the ski lifts to access the Punta Indren 3275m, departure of our hike towards the Gnifetti refuge. The path quickly crosses the tongue of the Indren glacier to slip between the rocky bars where you sometimes have to "put your hands". We have to be careful not to climb too fast because we quickly run out of breath at this altitude. A few nice via ferrata passages allow us to overcome the steepest passages. We quickly reach the Citta di Mantova refuge, but the final destination is a little higher... This time we have to cross the Garstelet glacier to reach the last rocky passages below the refuge. In 1h30, we reach our goal for the day: the Gnifetti refuge 3647m. Above we can see tomorrow's route which winds between the impressive glaciers. We can see the Pyramide Vincent 4215m, another top summit; but for now it's beer time. A very hearty meal and we quickly return to our little room. Tomorrow we start early! 4am...it's time, we jump out of bed and head for breakfast. Everyone is ok, no headaches, everything is fine. It is in the light of the headlamps that we go
It is with a team of three young athletes that I head to the Monte Rosa massif to attempt the ascent of their first 4000 meters. The Monte Rosa massif extends between Italy and Switzerland, its altitude is high and it concentrates an impressive series of peaks above 4000 m
