The North Face Journal brings to you another mind blowing project of one of The North Face® Athletes Hervé Bermasse
The Project:
Three new routes, up three of the highest mountains in the Alps, in three different ascent styles, with the aim to push the limits of mountaineering in the Alps where alpinism was born.
We will follow Hervé during the season before, during and after his performances, but also in between the routes we want to discover the passion for alpinism and the reason that are leading the man to take this challenge.
Locations – THE ALPS
1. MATTERHORN – CERVINO 4478 MT.
The Matterhorn (German), Monte Cervino (Italian) or Mont Cervin (French), is a mountain in the Pennine Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Its summit is 4,478 metres (14,692 ft) high, making it one of the highest peaks in the Alps.The four steep faces, rising above the surrounding glaciers, face the four compass points. The mountain overlooks the town of Zermatt in the canton of Valais to north-east and Breuil-Cervinia in the Aosta Valley to the south. The Theodul Pass, located at the eastern base of the peak, is the lowest passage between its north and south side.*
The challenge: Open a new route on the Italian face in a solo climb
Terrain: mixed, ice and rocks
2. MOUNT BLANC – 4810 MT.
Monte Bianco or Mont Blanc Italian and French, uniquely situated mostly in Italy, (respectively meaning “White Mountain”) is the highest mountain in the Alps, Western Europe and the European Union. It rises 4,810.45 m (15,782 ft) above sea level and is ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence*.
The challenge: Open a new route together with The North Face
Terrain: Rocks
3. MONTE ROSA – 4634 MT.
Monte Rosa is the highest mountain of Switzerland, the second highest both of the Alps and western Europe.Distinguished by the name Dufourspitze, its 4,634 m (15,203 ft) summit is the culminating point of the Pennine Alps. Although its main peak is located within Switzerland in the southeastern part of the canton of Valais, the Monte Rosa Massif is the second highest massif in Italy*.
The challenge: Open a new route together with Marco Barmasse (Hervé’s father)
Terrain: mixed with ice and rocks
The Team:
Hervé Barmasse: (leader) Italian mountaineer. Began his mountaineering career in his home mountain the Matterhorn-Cervino and since then been conquering mountains around the World. 2004, he made his first solo ascent on an unclimbed 6,000 meter wall in Pakistan and established two new routes, 2006 established a new route on the north face of Cerro Sa Lorenzo in Patagonia, 2008 he returned to Patagonia to conquer Cerro Piergiorgio reaching the peak after climbing for 24hrs straight.
Hervé will team up with his father Marco Barmasse and with other athletes of The North Face® global team during the project.
*(Wikipedia)