Cime du Gélas, Summit in Maritime Alps, France and Italy.
Cime du Gélas is a 3,143-meter peak in the Maritime Alps with two summits separated by a deep gorge that forms part of the Franco-Italian border. The mountain displays steep slopes covered with scree and exposed rocky terrain throughout.
Paolo di Saint-Robert completed the first recorded ascent in 1864 through the technically demanding alpine terrain. This achievement opened the mountain to further mountaineering exploration in the region.
A cross stands on the northern summit, placed by priests from Cuneo to mark the spiritual bond between French and Italian valleys that shaped this border region.
The ascent requires alpine climbing skills and is only suitable for experienced mountaineers with technical ability. The Bivacco Moncalieri mountain shelter sits about 1 kilometer northeast of the peak and provides basic lodging for those attempting the climb.
The name derives from glaciers that once blanketed the northern slopes, a geological history written into its very name. These ice fields have steadily receded since the 20th century, making them a visible record of climate change in the high Alps.
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