Italian Alpinist Matteo Bernasconi Dies in Avalanche

On May 12, Italian alpinist, mountain guide and Ragni di Lecco climbing club member Matteo Bernasconi died in an avalanche ski mountaineering in Valtellina. He was 38.

Bernasconi, who was known as Berna, was in a couloir on Pizzo del Diavolo solo yesterday when the avalanche took place. He was found by search and rescue crews after an extended search.

With Matteo Della Bordella and Luca Schiera, he had climbed a new route up the west face of Torre Egger in Patagonia in 2013. A remembrance post on planetmountain.com here said: “You could always trust him, in the mountains and even while sipping a bottle of beer. He was one of few words, but deeds never failed. He was the ideal companion. For many, even, an older brother. You felt safe in his hands. And many will remember him for this, as someone you could always rely on.”

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So sad to hear of Matteo Bernasconi’s passing. Young and talented, he climbed new routes all over the world, but he had particular affection for Patagonia, where together with Matteo Della Bordella, Matteo Pasquetto and others, he climbed new routes on Cerro San Lorenzo, Cerro Murallón, Aguja Standhardt and Torre Egger. He was caught by an avalanche while skiing in Valtellina. He is survived by his daughter Kiki and his wife Marta. So long Berna ? . #ciaoberna

A post shared by Patagonia Vertical – guidebook (@patagoniavertical) on May 13, 2020 at 5:43am PDT