Piz Bernina - Biancograt
View route detailsIt seems like I have a subscription to the Biancograt—the third one this year… But once again there is a clear reason: this is the easternmost 4000-metre peak in the Alps, the final seal of the traverse project. Let’s start from the end… Bernina summit: a great emotion, mixed with some apprehension for the other rope team accompanying us, who has fallen behind; a devilish wind and a biting cold. We can no longer stand the freezing conditions while stationary on the summit, so we decide to descend to the Marco e Rosa Hut. A fitting conclusion to the Swiss tour, where the sky has shown us little mercy. A few “minutes” later, at Passo Marinelli, a small group of people is waiting for us. We descend quickly together to the Marinelli Bombardieri Hut for a brief toast, before heading down toward the valley, vainly trying to outrun the approaching darkness. But let’s go back to the previous day… A chain of transfers and public transport takes me to Pontresina, then on foot to the Hotel Roseg, where we meet Teo. We have some food that Elisa has lovingly prepared for him, so that the dinner and breakfast before the final stage are a bit better than usual. At 4 a.m. it is warm and perfectly still, until the clouds rise, the wind starts to rage, and snow begins lashing the rock: the curse of Switzerland continues… The heavy snowfall makes orientation with headlamps difficult, and we only realize we have reached the via ferrata of the Forcola Prievlusa when we literally bump into it. The rest is a story of trail-breaking through fresh snow. The conclusion, as often happens, is a strange moment, filled with contrasting emotions. I will miss these appointments in improbable places, with extremely heavy backpacks, to spend 5 or 6 days completely self-sufficient, with little or no contact with everyday life. I would like to thank Teo for the vision and determination with which he carried out this project, for his friendship and patience, but also for his prudence and willingness to turn back when necessary. And who knows—maybe there will be a sequel…