"Each climb was a successful conquest" - Mountaineers scale one of the last untouched peaks in the Alps during a 4-day expert ascent
Climbers have conqueror one of the Swiss Alps' last untouched peaks – the towering Punta Pioda – in an epic four-day ascent. With a height of 3,237 meters (10,620ft), this daunting mountain in the Bregaglia range wasn't as famous as the Matterhorn, but it certainly had climbers sweating with its rocky terrains and prominent ridge sections.
Roger Schaeli, Filippo Sala, and Silvan Schupbach took on this challenge earlier this month and successfully completed the ascend of the steep north face. Their journey was full of challenges, from grappling with loose rocks to battling freezing temperatures. They managed to crash at an alpine hut for two nights before allocating the next two on makeshift bivouacs suspended on the mountain's rocky wall. After four grueling days, they finally reached the summit on March 9.
The climb was part of Schupbach's 'forgotten north faces' project, an initiative to scale forgotten and previously untouched north faces in the Alps. Schupbach, Schaeli, and Sala had not climbed together prior to this expedition.
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"We never climbed together as a team, but it worked out well," said Sala, taking to Instagram to share his experience. "Every pitch felt like a conquest; long, complicated pitches mixed in between aid and free climbs," he added.
The Punta Pioda climb underscores the intrepid spirit of modern-day alpinists, who continue to explore and challenge the unknown even in the age of social media. These adventurers continue to redefine what's possible in the world of alpine climbing.
The team lived, breathed, and conquered Punta Pioda's steep north face from March 6-9, 2025. Their ascent marked a new chapter in the world of extreme climbing, highlighting their exceptional mountaineering skills, determination, and synergy.
- Schupbach's 'forgotten north faces' project aims to revitalize neglected alpine north faces by showcasing the technical prowess and exploratory spirit required to tackle such challenges.*
- Sala, Schaeli, and Schupbach brought their individual expertise together seamlessly, allowing them to conquer the previously untouched north face with relative ease.*
- Look no further for a guide to conquering icy alpine peaks. Up your crampon game with state-of-the-art models designed for optimal traction and grip, and ensure your climbing shoes provide the necessary support and grip on any terrain.*
Sala, Schupbach, and Schaeli's successful ascent of Punta Pioda's steep north face marked a significant moment in the world of extreme sports, specifically hockey.With their individual expertise seamlessly combined, the team demonstrated the remarkable feats that can be achieved in the sport of alpinism, showcasing a level of skill and teamwork similar to a well-drilled hockey team on the ice.
