Mese Montagna is a rich calendar of events dedicated to the world of mountains and alpinism — designed for those who love to live, discover, and respect the alpine environment in all its forms.
The initiative is promoted by the association Mese Montagna ETS, founded through the collaboration between the Municipality of Vallelaghi, the Community of Valle dei Laghi, the Ecomuseum Valle dei Laghi, the Tourist Consortium Valle dei Laghi, and Mountime.
Its goal is to promote a conscious, sustainable, and inclusive approach to the mountains, highlighting hiking, climbing, and mountaineering as experiences of both personal and collective growth.
Mese Montagna also aims to spread the culture of exploration and adventure, while showcasing the history, traditions, and unique features of the Valle dei Laghi. Through conferences, encounters, and testimonies, the event helps visitors discover the area and encourages a responsible, mindful form of tourism.
All events take place at the Teatro Valle dei Laghi in Vezzano.
Mese Montagna – C. Ciavaldini & J. Pearson
Friday, November 7, 8:30 PM – Teatro Valle dei Laghi
Full ticket: €8.00 | Free entry for children under 14
Caroline Ciavaldini, from France, began her career as a competition climber, often ranking among the top in the Lead World Cup and winning in Chamonix. After a decade on the circuit, she turned her focus to outdoor rock climbing.
James Pearson, from the United Kingdom, is one of the world’s most daring traditional climbers, known for tackling routes with extremely high fall potential. His achievements include the first and only repeat of Tribe in Cadarese (2020) and the first ascent of Bon Voyage in Annot (2023).
Traditional climbing, characterized by the absence of fixed protection, is considered one of the purest and most respectful forms of climbing, demanding technical ability, risk management, and environmental awareness.
Caroline and James, parents of two children, show how family life and high-level climbing can coexist. They often explore areas close to home, reachable by public transport or by bike, making the most of their time together.
Mese Montagna – Hervé Barmasse
Friday, November 14, 8:30 PM – Teatro Valle dei Laghi
Full ticket: €8.00 | Free entry for children under 14
Hervé Barmasse, born in Aosta in 1977, is an alpinist, athlete, writer, and mountain film director. A fourth-generation Cervino mountain guide, he has completed numerous significant climbs worldwide, including a solo new route on the Matterhorn, the first ascent of Cerro Piergiorgio’s granite face, and new routes in Patagonia and Pakistan.
In 2017, he achieved an alpine-style ascent of the Shisha Pangma South Face (8,027 m) in just 13 hours. His work has earned him several awards, including the Paolo Consiglio Academic Prize, received four times.
In his conferences, Hervé offers a deep reflection on mountaineering, revealing not only the triumphs but also the vulnerability, fear, and humanity behind each climb.
Mese Montagna – Nives Meroi
Friday, November 21, 8:30 PM – Teatro Valle dei Laghi
Full ticket: €8.00 | Free entry for children under 14
With the ascent of Annapurna, Nives Meroi and her partner Romano Benet completed their extraordinary goal of climbing all fourteen eight-thousanders, always together, without supplemental oxygen or Sherpa support.
Their journey is not only a tribute to the beauty of the mountains but also a path of personal growth and awareness, marked by illness, recovery, and resilience.
Their mountaineering philosophy is rooted in respect, solidarity, and cooperation, standing as a counterpoint to the individualism of modern society. It demonstrates that the greatest strength lies in teamwork and shared human connection.
A 30-minute video will be followed by an interview.
Mese Montagna – Filip Babicz
Friday, November 28, 8:30 PM – Teatro Valle dei Laghi
Full ticket: €8.00 | Free entry for children under 14
Filip Babicz, a Polish-born alpinist based in Valle d’Aosta, is known for his fast, lightweight, and environmentally conscious approach to climbing. He climbs independently, without fixed ropes or external support.
Among his greatest achievements is the double traverse of the four Matterhorn ridges (Furggen, Hörnli, Zmutt, and Leone) in a record time of 7 hours and 43 minutes.
Babicz represents a pure and ethical vision of mountaineering, focused on integrity, minimalism, and respect for nature. He is a philosopher of the mountains who seeks to push his limits while remaining faithful to authenticity and simplicity.
