Well evidently doing my 1st 4000 meter peak in Europe was not enough, I had to go back! We ended up in Italy again as the Swiss huts were all booked up with people training for the epic patrouille des glaciers race from Zermatt to Verbier.
From the lifts in Gressoney we had a pleasant walk up to the cabane. After a surprisingly super comfortable night at 3455 meters in the Rifugio Mantova we set out in the wind to climb to the top of the Piramide Vincenz (4213m) at 7 a.m. Then we hopped over to the Christ Roi on the Balmenhorn (4161m)overlooking the Lyskamm at 4532m. We managed a short picnic break out of the wind and set off for the Punta Parrot (4433m). What a magical accomplishment! Never really imagined I could possibly be on top of these mountains which I have admired many a time from Zermatt & the top of Mont Fort in Verbier!