11th June 2021
Thank you and see you from the most beautiful terrace in the world

Dear,
and so, with the last crate loaded on the refrigerated truck, our drilling campaign on Colle Gnifetti ends. 10 days of activity, two deep cores up to the basal rock 81 m below and another three shallow ones, between 15 and 20 m. Approximately 0.9 m3, over 700 kg of ice sections, now neatly enclosed in 18 thermal boxes. Before closing the tailgate of the truck that is already lit and ready to go, I look at them and think about the story they contain. History of the climate and environment of these mountains, of these valleys, of the plains below, of the whole of Europe. A unique and unrepeatable archive. More than 10,000 years of places, events, men and people. Some samples will stop in Venice, others will go to Villigen, Switzerland, for chemical, biological and isotopic analyzes. The best quality deep carrot will make a much longer journey, reaching DomeC on the Antarctic plateau. Here it will be kept, under the aegis of an International Foundation, in a specially prepared cave, safe from the effects of climate change, as a gift for future generations. If our beautiful glaciers by 2100 really, as expected, will almost completely disappear from the Alps, so will not be for the memory preserved in them! Among the many carrots, that of Colle Gnifetti will be among the first to be transferred, probably as early as next year. And, due to its importance, it could only be so!

Now that the tension finally disappears and before the resumption of the daily routines goes to fade the emotions, taking me back to the grumpy mountain bear as they say I am (?!), I let the feelings flow and put on paper all the thanks that, sincere , they come from my heart.

First of all to the Monterosa Refuge Society. I think I will always remember the first phone call with Giuliano. Those ten seconds of silence after my babbling, that of him “give me a few days but I think so, it can be done”, his countless “forget it, just tell me what you need to do”. So it has always been. Erica, splendid caretaker of the Gnifetti hut, who with her precision, professionalism and her smile has accompanied us throughout our adventure (indeed, much earlier!). Claudio and Sunda, still (our) custodians, this time at the Capanna Margherita. True idols, with their highest pizza in Europe brought still hot from the oven to the coring tent! Unfortunately, only through the stories of all the guests can I give credit to the staff of the Pastore Refuge for the warmth and the wonderful delicacies. To Susanna, president of the CAI of Varallo, who warmly welcomed us into her shelters. To the Skyaviation company, with Gianluca and all the pilots and aeronautical technicians who have worked with us: a show and a safety to fly together, even at the limit of visibility, in the splendid setting of the Rosa! To Andrea and the other Guides of Alagna, guardians of the Rosa glaciers and witnesses of their changes, constant and irreplaceable references before and during all our activities. To the Monterosa 2000 Company, with Andrea and Claudio, for collaboration and access to the cableways. To Mayor Roberto, immediately enthusiastic both in listening to our stories and in providing us with support and assistance.

An entire valley, that of Valsesia, enthusiastically available to us and to the ICE MEMORY project. Something, for us, truly unprecedented that warms our hearts and empowers us, encouraging us to do better and more!

To Salvatore, ARPA Piemonte meteorologist who updated us daily on the weather evolution both in the valley and at high altitude. To Michele and Marco, friends of the University of Turin, for their availability and hospitality at the Mosso Institute. To Riccardo: as a videomaker already a lot of stuff, but actually much more for us, both from a professional and a human point of view. To our Guide Paolo, a real security in the field, a generous and tireless worker when he is needed, a jester at times, a true friend always.

To Carlo, our Director, the mind but above all the heart of ICE MEMORY. To all my colleagues, starting with Andrea and Fabrizio, irreplaceable companions both on the glacier and in moments of leisure. To Enrico, the war machine of communication. To Rachele, Federico, Marco and Angela, without whose contribution it would not have been possible to organize the Monte Rosa field experience… and much more! To Valentina, Pamela and Elisa, administrators of our Institute. Discussions and daily scorns, but those that are given to each other only when, in the end, they love each other and respect each other.

To all the friends who accepted the invitation to participate in the Monte Rosa field experience, both to those present and to those who, due to the constant postponement, could no longer be there. With some she was a good reunion, with others a splendid first time. In any case, a beautiful moment of union between the whole scientific community and not only that on these mountains it operates daily with passion, competence and dedication. At least for us, a seed that can only bear fruit and something truly beautiful, absolutely worth repeating.

To the journalists and the media who followed us, some enthusiastically on the field, some unfortunately for previous commitments only remotely. ICE MEMORY is, among other things, the science that comes out of the laboratories and gets closer to people. We have believed it and we believe it. And apparently you too.

Last, but certainly not least, to our sponsors AKU and KARPOS. Not only suppliers of superlative technical products, but above all companies made up of exceptional people, enthusiastic and generous in supporting us and the ICE MEMORY project. Without you none of this would have been possible. Thank you!

I hope I haven’t forgotten anyone but it sure will be. Because you have been so many. Thank you, thank you very much to all of you. And with the photo of this last splendid sunrise that Rosa, from the most beautiful terrace in the world, wanted to give us yesterday before flying away, see you soon!

Jacopo