The year 218 BC may seem a long time ago, but the manner in which Hannibal set about his task is identical with that which a competent commander would follow today. Even though his exact route is not known even to this day for centuries there has been great speculation as to which of the passes he crossed. Historians have narrowed it down to four possible passes-we cross over the most likely of them and have a lot of fun speculating the likelihood of the entire episode in this spectacular journey that not only retraces Hannibal's historic crossing, but embraces the cultural richness of the French and Italian Alp communities we pass through. You too will feel the elation Hannibal must have felt as you cross into Italy from France. As beautiful as this day is it's hard to believe it only gets better.
Today is one spectacular sight after another.
We begin hiking through an enormous marshy bowl bordered on the far side of a rocky shelf known as Plateau d'Emparis. The beauty never seems to stop. After adjusting the cramp-ons onto your boots we all rope together and start our hike up the Girose Glacier. At the foot of Le Rateau enjoy magnificent views from the Mont Blanc to Mont Ventoux in Provence. Those that would like to try some rock climbing can ascend the peak from here and are rewarded by stunning views over the whole Massif des Ecrins with its countless high, icy peaks and glaciated valleys as well as countless other peaks in the Alps.