MONTE ROSA SKYMARATHON – 4554m – Teams of two
Distance 35 km. Vertical climb 7,000m +/-
The course retraces the original route first completed in 1993 from Alagna Valsesia, 1,192m, via the Bocchetta delle Pisse, 2,396m, to the Indren cable car station at 3,260m. It continues towards the Gnifetti Hut, 3,647m, Colle del Lys, 4,250m, to summit at the Margherita Hut, 4,554m returning by the same course to Alagna.
The route ascends and descends along paths, ski runs and across glaciers in a loop for a total distance of 35 km and 3,490m vertical climb.
The course is on mountain trails with demanding uphill and downhill sections, over snow fields, glaciers with crevasses, exposed areas, steep pastures and scree, possibly subject to severe environmental and weather conditions, summiting at 4,554m. Apart from the Alagna Ski area in the Piedmont Region, from Indren, the course crosses into Gressoney-La-Trinité in the Aosta Valley until Colle del Lys. From here, it’s on Swiss territory up to the summit and the Margherita Hut in Italy.
A high level of physical preparation is required, high altitude mountaineering experience, knowledge of the risks of the terrain and the ability to manage eventual sudden changes such as strong winds and below zero temperatures.
The respect of the environment and solidarity towards other competitors are among the principal requirements of this high altitude race.
Throwing trash outside the aid stations is subject to a penalty of 3’ to 20’ or disqualification in more serious cases.
Assistance from outsiders is allowed only within an area of +/- 100m of the aid stations.
The route is marked with flags and tape and/or coloured posts. Other signage may be communicated at the briefing and/or on race day. The signage must be followed on sight before the snow fields and on the exact course in the snow and on the glacier, subject disqualification.
