Barry Ferris has done quite a bit of hiking in the Engadine. But now it was time to take a crack at the Piz Bernina, the highest peak in the area and one of the most beautiful in the Alps. And what better route to choose than the famous Biancograt, a route that Mark feels is the best route of its grade in the Alps.

So in 3 days, Barry and Mark hiked into the Tschierva hut, climbed the Biancograt to the Marco e Rosa hut, then traversed the Piz Palu, back to Pontresina. Unfortunately, during the Bernina climb, clouds blocked the views (and the tremendous exposure) for almost the entire day. But they had a great outing anyway.

The Piz Bernina as seen from the Tschierva hut. The Biancograt is the snow-crested ridge on the left skyline of the peak.

At Mark's urging we rode the horse-drawn carriage into the Roseg valley to the road end. A fine way to start and alpine adventure.

Looking up-valley and down-horse.

Relaxing at the Tschierva hut.

Climbing on the Biancograt. The route starts with rock, then includes the long snow-ice ridge shown here, and finally ends with a spectacular rock ridge to the summit.

Barry arrives at the summit.

From the summit of the Bernina we descended the normal route to the Marco e Rosa hut. Though still a bit cloudy, we had a very nice sunset.

The following morning the weather improved and we enjoyed fine views back at the Bernina as we traverse the Bellavista Terraces towards Piz Palu.

Traversing the Piz Palu involves both rock, snow and ice. Here, another party climbs along the ridge. On the right, behind is the Bernina.

After descending the glacier shown here, we have a short hike to the Diavolezza lift. The east and Central summits of the Palu can be seen behind Barry, here.