I am planning a trip to Europe in June 2015, with the aim of climbing the Breithorn, Gran Paradiso, and Mont Blanc.
We will be a group of about 8, and most of us have climbed Kilimanjaro and Elbrus. I know that the climbing is completely different, and requires different techniques.
I would like to know whether it is compulsory to have a guide on the Breithorn and Gran Paradiso? We will have a guide on Mont Blanc, primarily to get into the Gouter Hut, and as it is probably just a good idea!
I understand that the safest route should be fairly visible and easy to follow on the Breithorn and the Gran Paradiso. We intend to go in the third week of June 2015, and as it will still be fairly early in the climbing season, I was wondering whether a "path" will already be visible?
We intend to climb the Breithorn from the Cervinia side, so will take the cable car up to the Rifugio Gude del Cervino at 3480 meters, and will walk in from there. Is that a possibility?