Philippe Gatta

Alpinism: Mont Blanc Traverse (Mont Blanc Massif)

By Phil | Published: May 28, 2017

Climbing Mont Blanc is always a pleasure. This time, Anna and I made a long traverse from Aiguille du Midi, to the 3 Monts, Dome du Gouter, Aiguille du Gouter followed by a 3,800 meters descent to Les Houches.

Sunrise from Col de la Brenva (© P. Gatta)

Posted in Alpinism | Tagged Aiguille de Bionnassay, aiguille du gouter, Aiguille du Midi, Arête des Bosses, cosmiques, Les houches, mont blanc, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Mont Maudit | Comments closed

Alpinism: Grand Combin (Pennine Alps)

By Phil | Published: May 24, 2017

I really enjoyed the Grand Combin; nice mountain, good snow conditions, great views and we were only 3 climbers.

South Face of Grand Combin from Mt Vélan (© P. Gatta)

Posted in Alpinism | Tagged Aiguille du Croissant, Bourg-St-Pierre, Grafeneire, Grand Combin, Mur de la Cote, Plateau du Couloir, Tsessette, Valsorey | Comments closed

Ski: Mont Vélan – Annibal Couloir (Pennine Alps)

By Phil | Published: May 16, 2017

Mont Vélan is a nice mountain located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Easily accessible from the Great St Bernard Pass, it is a good ski objective.

Mont Vélan and Valsorey Glacier seen from Grand Combin (© P. Gatta)

Posted in Alpinism, Ski touring | Tagged Annibal, Bourg-St-Bernard, Glacier de Proz, Mont Vélan, Valsorey | Comments closed

Ski: Pointe de la Terrasse (Aiguilles Rouges)

By Phil | Published: May 9, 2017

Pointe de la Terrasse is a small peak South of Barrage d’Emosson (Dam). It is a very popular ski tour in spring when the road to Emosson Dam is open. Pointe de la Terrasse is a perfect balcony offering stunning views over the Mont Blanc Massif.

Pointe de la Terrasse. Aiguille Verte in the background (© P. Gatta)

Posted in Ski touring, Trail | Tagged col de la Gueulaz, Emosson, Mont Blanc Massif, Pointe de la Terrasse, Veudale Gorge | Comments closed

Climbing: Barberine – Magicien d’Oz (Aiguilles Rouges)

By Phil | Published: April 30, 2017

We just climbed a fun and easy route in Barberine: Magicien d’Oz. It is a seven pitches route, all nice and on good rock, thanks to Michel Piola!

Barberine - Magicien d’Oz (© P. Gatta)
Barberine – Magicien d’Oz (© P. Gatta)

Posted in Climbing | Tagged Barberine, Magicien d’Oz, Michel Piola | Comments closed

Ski : Verbier – Zermatt – Haute Route

By Phil | Published: April 11, 2017

I wanted to ski the Haute Route for a while from Verbier to Zermatt, skipping the Chamonix part that I already know.

Haute Route: Matterhorn / Cervin (© P Gatta)

Posted in Alpinism, Ski touring | Tagged Brulé, Cabane Des Dix, Col des Gentianes, Evèque, Haute Route, Pigne d’Arolla, Prafleuri, Rosablanche, ski, Valpelline, Verbier, Vignettes, Zermatt | Comments closed

Alpinism: Mont Dolent – South Face (Mont Blanc Massif)

By Phil | Published: April 4, 2017

Mont Dolent is a 3,820m peak in the Mont Blanc Massif, located at the border between Italy, Switzerland and France. The South Face is a great ski objective.

Aiguille de Leschaux and Grandes Jorasses (© P. Gatta)

Posted in Alpinism, Ski touring | Tagged Bivouac Fiorio, La Fouly, Mont Blanc Massif, Mont Dolent, Petit Col Ferret | Comments closed

Alpinism: Aiguille Verte – Couloir Couturier (Mont Blanc Massif)

By Phil | Published: March 29, 2017

The Aiguille Verte is an iconic mountain of the Mont Blanc Massif and it is always a pleasure to climb it. The Couloir Couturier is a classic and this year it has been in good conditions for a while, so Morgan and I decided to climb it up and down as training.

Posted in Alpinism | Tagged Aiguille Verte, Couloir Couturier, Grands-Montets, Mont Blanc Massif, Rognon Glacier | Comments closed

Via Alpina – Traverse of the Alps (7 countries): story and photos

By Phil | Published: February 20, 2017

Here is the story and 30+ photos of our traverse of the Alps along the Via Alpina.

Posted in Trail | Tagged alps, trail, traverse, Via Alpina | Comments closed

Trail: Gorges de l’Ardeche (France)

By Phil | Published: February 18, 2017

After a couple of climbing days in Seynes and Russan -a bit too polished, and old style for our taste- we went to the Gorges de l’Ardeche for a great to trail running day. There was too much water to cross Ardeche river, so we had to improvise some off trail sections to complete our planned loop. I am not sure that besides wild boars many have seen the Gorges from that angle but it was fun, the scenery was amazing and we had the place for ourselves

Posted in Trail | Tagged ardeche, Chames, gorges, Gournier, Gué de Charmassonnet, templiers, trail | Comments closed