Signalkuppe, Mountain summit in Monte Rosa massif, Italy
Pointe Gnifetti rises to 4,554 meters (14,941 feet) and forms a summit of the Monte Rosa group with steep glaciated slopes and exposed ridges. The peak displays the characteristic structure of a high-altitude mountain with multiple glaciers defining its mass.
The summit was first reached in August 1842 when Giovanni Gnifetti led a group of mountaineers to what was then an untouched peak. This early ascent marked the beginning of modern mountaineering activity on this massif.
The Margherita Hut at the summit serves mountaineers as shelter while hosting scientists who study high-altitude phenomena. Visitors can observe the researchers at work and experience what daily life looks like at extreme elevation.
Climbers reach the summit via established routes from either the Gnifetti Hut or Mantova Hut, requiring glacier equipment and solid alpine experience. The ascent demands endurance and familiarity with high-altitude climbing in severe conditions.
The summit holds Europe's highest mountain refuge, clad in copper sheeting. This copper cladding functions as a Faraday cage, protecting the structure from electrical fields during storms.
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