The Monte Rosa massif is home to the second-highest mountain peak in the Alps coming in behind, just barely, Mont Blanc. Monte Rosa, which straddles the Swiss-Italian border just a bit east of the Matterhorn, has several peaks that break through the 4,000 meter barrier. The most famous is Punta Gnifetti, home to the Rifugio Margherita, the highest building in Europe. I have climbed Monte Rosa three times, including twice to the Rifugio Margherita, and I recounted one of those trips in an article for The New York Times.

Trekkers heading up to the Rifugio Margherita before dawn

We’re almost there, really

Inching the way up the mountain