The Vincent Pyramid
A first 4,000-metre peak above Gressoney
The Vincent Pyramid is one of the summits of Monte Rosa. It rises to 4,215 metres above the Gressoney valley, on the boundary between the Aosta Valley and Piedmont. Seen from the south, it is a smooth dome of snow at the edge of the Lys glacier. It is often the first 4,000-metre peak that novice mountaineers climb.
A name from Gressoney
It is named after Johann Nikolaus Vincent, a resident of Gressoney. In the early 19th century, his family worked gold mines in the valley. In August 1819, he climbed to the summit with a few men from the mine and some chamois hunters. It was one of the very first ascents in the Monte Rosa massif. At the time, people were still trying to work out which was the highest point of the massif, and many men from Gressoney, Alagna and Zermatt took part in this exploration.
The climb from Punta Indren
Today, the Vincent Pyramid is approached by cable car and chairlift. From Gressoney-La-Trinité, or from Alagna on the Piedmont side, you reach Punta Indren, at just over 3,200 metres. From there, a path and then the glacier lead to the Città di Mantova hut and the Gnifetti hut, at around 3,500 metres.
The next morning, you set off early, roped up. The ascent is on the glacier, up even slopes, with no climbing. The summit is a snow ridge with a few rocks. You come back the same way.
Easy, but at high altitude
Technically, the normal route is one of the simplest in the Alps above 4,000 metres. But it should not be taken lightly. Above 4,000 metres, the air contains less oxygen, and many walkers suffer from headaches or nausea. The glacier has crevasses, sometimes hidden under the snow. And fog can come down quickly over these great white expanses, where it is easy to lose your bearings. A night at the hut helps the body adjust. For a first attempt, many people choose to go with a guide from Gressoney or Alagna.
A summit among other summits
From the top, you get a close view of the other peaks of Monte Rosa: the Punta Gnifetti with its Capanna Margherita, the Lyskamm and the Punta Zumstein. Fit parties often combine the Vincent Pyramid with other nearby summits, such as the Balmenhorn, where a large statue of Christ of the Summits stands.
