#5: [21-Aug-22]

#4: [15-Oct-11]

#2: [25-May-02]

#1: [18-May-02] (incomplete)

13-Sep-2009 -- I had kept an eye on this point for quite a while, but did not go for it due to the long access route from Zurich and the snow conditions in the Alps. This September weekend however we took the opportunity.

With the first train and bus connection on Saturday morning we reached the village Ceppo Morelli (6160 m beeline distance, 2040 m vertical distance from CP) at 10 a.m. From here, we started a 2-day hike. Just after we had left Ceppo Morelli, our path disappeared gradually. Not willing to confess an error or track back, we continued cross-country along steep forested slopes over a huge rock fall that must have taken place a decade ago. With the invested effort and time increasing, so did the thickets and climbs increase in their degree of challenge. When we came almost to the point to give up, we delightedly spotted the serpentine road towards Mondelli.

Mondelli is a beautiful mountain village, where the clocks seem to have stood still for decades. For us, the old, car-free place with narrow alleys and deserted houses gave us a deep impression of romance. But for the residents, living might be hard and earning money hardly possible. “For Sale” signs in front of houses supported our conclusion. Since there was no shop or café, we held a picnic based on our own food supplies.

The next stop was involuntarily: when we reached the alp Cortevecchio at an altitude of 1476 m, it began to rain. Waiting under a shelter was worthwhile: after an hour the sky cleared and we could continue on a not-so-easy-to-follow path to the alp Predenon at a height of 1831 m. A little further up at a meadow, we camped for the night.

The next morning, we continued hiking upwards; thereby enjoying great views down to the Valle Anzasca. The vegetation got more and more sparse, and soon we had to climb over bare rocks.

At 11:22 a.m we reached the confluence point. In contrast to previous visits, the confluence had no snow coverage – besides some residual snow fields in 500 m distance. Directly at the confluence, you have a great view towards south-east into the valley and its mountain-ranges on the other side. Although there is the sign-posted trail towards Mondelli Pass we didn’t meet any other hikers. It seems that the Monte Moro pass which crosses the mountain range just a bit further west is more attractive, because it is better known and easier to follow. The nearest distance between our trail and the confluence was just 30 m.

After a short break, we continued hiking and reached Mondelli Pass (2839 m) an hour later. We crossed the pass and descended northwards until we reached the Mattmark Reservoir. At the dam, public buses brought us back to Visp and trains back to Zurich.

CP visit details:

• Beeline distance from Ceppo Morelli: 6.2 km
• Walking time: 10 hours
• Time at the CP: 11:22 am
• Measured height: 2575 m
• Position accuracy at the CP: 3 m
• Minimal distance to the CP: 0 m
• Vegetation: some grass between bare rocks. Also some lichen and moss. Scattered, low growing alpine flowers
• Distance to a road: 4.2 km (Mondelli)
• Distance to a hiking trail: 30 m
• Distance to houses: 2.3 km (Predenon)
• Distance to a mountain pass: 500 m (Passo Mondelli)
• Distance to a village: 4.2 km (Mondelli)
• Topography: steep grade, high mountains
• Weather: cloudy, 16° C (felt temperature)
• Description of the CP: In Italy’s Piermonte Region, in the northern most Province in Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, just 430 m south of the Swiss border. In a high-alpine terrain far above the tree line. Ground covered with loose rocks of all sizes.
• Given Name: Hans-Jakob’s First Confluence

Altitude source: SRTM 90m digital elevation data.