The last couple of weeks have seen fairly unsettled weather across the Alps, though fortunately it seems better now. Last week Mont Blanc was deep in fresh snow, an battered by strong foehn winds, so our teams diverted to Gran Paradiso 4061m. This is no mean consolation prize at all, as it is the highest peak that stands completely in Italy, and it is in a national park, so there are no cable cars to reduce the ascent. It is one of the few valley floor to summit routes, so is a great objective when the weather turns. Last Friday we had 23 clients and guides summit.