Signalkuppe

The Signalkuppe (in German, pronounced seen-yall-koo-pay) also known as Punta Gnifetti (in Italian) (4,554 m) is a peak in the Pennine Alps on the border between Italy and Switzerland. It is a subpeak of Monte Rosa. The mountain is named after 'the Signal', a prominent gendarme atop the east ridge, named Cresta Signal.

Signalkuppe
Punta Gnifetti
The Signalkuppe lying behind the Zumsteinspitze. The Margherita hut is just visible on the summit.
Highest point
Elevation4,554 m (14,941 ft)
Prominence102 m ↓ Colle Gnifetti
Parent peakDufourspitze of Monte Rosa
Isolation0.7 km →  Zumsteinspitze
Coordinates45°55′38″N 7°52′37″E 
Geography
Signalkuppe
Alps
LocationPiedmont, Italy /
Valais, Switzerland
Parent rangePennine Alps
Climbing
First ascent9 August 1842 by Giovanni Gnifetti and party
Easiest routeGlacier tour via west flank, south-west ridge (F)

The first ascent was made by Giovanni Gnifetti, a parish priest from Alagna Valsesia, together with J. Farinetti, C. Ferraris, C. Grober, J. and G. Giordiano and their porters on 9 August 1842.

The highest hut in Europe, the Margherita Hut (named after Italy's Queen consort Margherita of Savoy) lies on the summit of the mountain. Work started in 1890, supported by the Italian crown, and Queen Margherita opened it in 1893. The new hut, effectively a high-altitude Faraday cage, is clad in sheet copper to shield against unwanted electrical fields.

See also

References
  • Dumler, Helmut and Willi P. Burkhardt, The High Mountains of the Alps, London: Diadem, 1994
  • Collomb, Robin G., (ed.), Pennine Alps Central, London: Alpine Club, 1975


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