Humans have occupied Europe for more than 40,000 years, but none had ever climbed the South-East face of Monte Rosa, the second tallest mountain in the Alps, until last September.

There’s good reason. The imposing 800-meter cliff is composed of a matrix of loose rock that makes the line all but impossible to attempt.

Fourth-generation Italian mountaineer Herve Barmasse and his father Marco Barmasse didn’t think so. The face stared over their homeland for their entire lives. The route appeared climbable.

And besides, the pair had made history before, charting a new route on the Matterhorn together in March 2010. They had the confidence and skills to make history again.

And they did.