Adrenaline is running high and everything is ready for an extraordinary feat on Monte Rosa that combines cycling and ski mountaineering. Alessandro Sozzi, Francesco Surace, and Matteo Gozzoli set off at 4:00 AM from Lecco with the goal of reaching Capanna Margherita, Europe's highest refuge located on Punta Gnifetti at an altitude of 4554 meters.
The first pedal strokes along Lake Lecco kick off a 222 km cycling route with approximately 2400 meters of elevation gain, crossing the Piedmontese plain to the Gressoney valley. The climb progressively becomes more challenging, also due to the weight of the ski mountaineering equipment carried on their backs. Arriving in Gressoney in the afternoon, the three allow themselves a few hours of rest before setting off again at 11:00 PM for the night ascent with skis towards Monte Rosa: 30 km and almost 3000 meters of elevation gain tackled without ski lifts, in full traditional mountaineering style.
The high altitude tests endurance and concentration: breathing shortens, fatigue increases, and each step requires adaptation to the mountain. The climb towards Capanna Margherita, above 4550 meters, represents the key moment of the endeavor. Once the summit of Punta Gnifetti is reached, the view of the Alps repays every effort.
After the conquest, the fast and technical ski descent concludes an extreme adventure accomplished entirely without external support, from Lake Lecco to the summit of Monte Rosa.
