Piz Badile, July 25

Piz Badile is the epitome of a mountain: a monolith of iron-hard granite rock that dominates the deeply incised Val Bregaglia. Its northern ridge is the easiest route from Switzerland to its highest point: climbers must overcome mostly slabby, airy climbing of grade 4, with occasional brief stints in the lower grade 6.

A stunning view rewards 29 pitches: the Ortler, Orobie, and even the Valais and Bernese Alps, and more, are within sight. Once the arduous descent to the Italian side is behind them, the magnificent Val Masino, with its seemingly endless abundance of water and forests, awaits the diligent climber.