Project - "each idea stays an idea until we start working to realize it" That is why, from one of "those ideas" I had with a friend while enjoying some Merlot in a hut last year, I decided to create the project. On September 1st 2013 I decided to give a try to my natal canton - Ticino. 18h later 27SUMMITS.CH was not an idea anymore, it had turned into a vision.
LOWEST TO HIGHEST
The main idea of the project is to go and come back from the lowest point to the highest of a Swiss canton in one push using my own energy only. Additionally, as crowning of the project I’ll go from the lowest point in Switzerland (Lago Maggiore) to the highest (Dufourspitze).
MULTISPORT
Usually each push will involve a mix of cycling, walking, trail running, mountaineering, climbing, ski touring and cross country skiing depending on the summit, season and conditions that I will encounter. Obviously all material is carried by me.
MAINLY SOLO
I tend to do this things by myself, but it can be that a friend wants to join for part of a push, or that safety issues mandate a partner so I don’t consider this project a pure “solo” project. Nevertheless, in the big picture I see this pushes as my mind experiments.
Challenge
I’m really interested in what a normal person can do, I’m no professional athlete, I certainly do a lot of sports, but not nearly as much as many people do. I don’t train with a fixed schedule nor I control my nutrition (of course I try to eat healthy), I’m just a mountain lover that likes to push his legs and foremost his mind.
Mind game
I know my body, and I know it can fail, often at times, but I also know that when when your legs don’t work, your head can still push them big time. This is what I want to test with some of the pushes. Of course some pushes are well within my capability, but for at least 4/27 I’ve no idea yet how my body will manage.
Scenery
Well, ever been to Switzerland? It is incredibly beautiful.
Part of the initial idea was to do things that normal mountaineers might not do, like going to the “highest point of the lowest canton” to discover even more beautiful corners of Switzerland
Fun
Last but not least, It’s fun to do cool things and its fun to push yourself and to feel your body works well.
OK, it’ even better when you manage a push and can have a steak at home 😉
- Reggae: pleasure trips, summits that can be done in less than 8 hours listening to the good old Bob
- Trip-hop: more challenging than the easy ones, these summits will take between 8 and 16 hours ans some good Massive attack or Portished vibes
- Alternative rock: very challenging summits that will take between 16 and 24 hours and a good dose of Placebo and Muse
- Psychedelic rock: This are the hardest summits, a minimum of 24 hours and a lot of Pink Floyd has to be expected for this summits
Reggae37%
Trip-hop33%
Alternative rock15%
Psychedelic rock15%
One push
No mater how long the push, it has to be done in one push, that means: no huts, no tents, no planned bivouac. Just the needed gear, food and drinks.
Own energy only
Trains and buses are very appealing in Switzerland, they take you about anywhere. Well so does your bike and where the road ends, it time for the next sport.
Allowed gear
Anything that I move myself needed for cycling, walking, trail running, mountaineering, climbing, ski touring and cross country skiing. Of course also anything needed for safety. All gear starts with me and gets back with me – of course I won’t carry my bike to the summits. 😉
Safety
Being in the mountains by myself or with somebody always has an inherent risk, I of course try to minimize all risks and try to be selfsufficent by taking all precautions and all necessary material. Nevertheless, accidents can happen, therefore when needed I carry a REGA radio with me.
Most ethical line
Which way? Well, sometimes the shortest, sometimes the steepest, sometimes the most beautiful one. I leave myself a lot of freedom in choosing which way to take, where logistics, geography and mood permits it, I stay within the canton and Switzerland.
What is lowest
The lowest point of each canton was taken from wikipedia and double checked with a (Q)GIS analysis. When the lowest elevation are lakes, then the closest point to the highest point is taken.
What is highest
The highest point of each canton was taken from wikipedia and double checked with a (Q)GIS analysis. Border mountains are also considered. In case a mountain is the highest of multiple cantons, it will be made multiple time from different starts.
Nutrition
I try to be selfsufficient and to just refill my drinks. I don’t really go full on techno-food as in gels and bars only. I might take some, but I love my cheese, dried meat and nut cake. I’m also pretty lax on the use of huts as restoring places, the all do such wonderful jobs that you have to have a cake if you pass by one.
ALL96.3%
Reggae100%
Trip-hop100%
Alternative rock100%
Psychedelic rock75%
Free your mind…
Summits - the bread and butter of the project, the challenges I'll have to accept to manage my project. I separate the 27SUMMITS into four difficulties, to accommodate the big difference among all of them. Some, will be a nice afternoon trip (maybe even with some friends and a picnic ;) ), while some others will be pretty tough 24h+ mind blowing trips.
- All
- 0 - Done
- 0 - To do
- 1 - Reggae
- 2 - Trip-hop
- 3 - Alternative rock
- 4 - Psychedelic rock
CH – Dufourspitze (4634m) 
AG – Geissfluegrat (908m)
09.05.2015
AI – Säntis (2502m)
20.03.2015
AR – Säntis (2502m)
18.10.2014
BE – Finsteraarhorn (4274m)
21.07.2015
BS – St. Chrischona (522m)
10.05.2015
BL – Hinteri Egg (1169m)
10.05.2015
FR – Vanil Noir (2389m)
12.08.2018
GE – Les Arales (516m)
21.10.2014
GL – Tödi (3614m)
20.03.2014
GR – Piz Bernina (4049m)
21.09.2018
JU – Mont Raimeux (1302m)
22.06.2015
LU – Brienzer Rothorn (2350m)
14.08.2016
NE – Chasseral Ouest (1552m)
19.01.2015
NW – Rotstöckli (2901m)
25.05.2015
OW – Titlis (3238m)
05.05.2018
SG – Ringelspitz (3248m)
22.04.2018
SH – Hagen (912m)
11.10.2015
SO – Hasenmatt (1445m)
06.05.2018
SZ – Bös Fulen (2802m)
11.08.2018
TG – Hohgrat (991m)
07.11.2014
TI – Adula (3402m)
27.06.2015
UR – Dammastock (3630m)
09.06.2018
VD – Diablerets (3210m)
20.10.2014
VS – Dufourspitze (4634m)
25.05.18
ZG – Wildspitz (1580m)
09.11.2014
ZH – Schnebelhorn (1292m)
23.11.2014
Me - Marco Bernasocchi (AKA Bérna)
I love traveling, skiing (especially freeriding), mountaineering, climbing, Kite surfing, scuba diving and sports in general. I enjoy good food and the fascinating world of wine.
In my non free time, I'm the owner of my main sponsor - opengis.ch ;) and I teach ski.
Do what you feel…
Sponsor - Since I'm not a professional athlete, I mainly do my pushes when the conditions are good by taking free time from my software development company opengis.ch. This means that each push (plus the obvious recovery time) kills my work. For that reason, if you can, consider supporting my project by donating or even better by sponsoring me. Below are my current main sponsors and in the supporters list you can see all people that helped me somehow. I thank a lot all of them and definitely suggest you to have a look at their websites and discover all the amazing things they do.
BAABUK, Warmest shoes ever
menzli sport, 7130 Ilanz
Salomon
Cube Bikes
Petzl
Contact
Email me
Social networks
The real basecamp
Marco Bernasocchi · Via Marcau 6 · 7031 Laax · Switzerland · +41794672470