Alain Wicht spends around a third of his working time in the field. Before he sets out in the morning, he stows his utensils in his minibus or in one of swisstopo’s all-terrain vehicles. His utensils include surveying instruments plus three boxes containing various items which he says includes paint, paintbrushes, a spirit level, a measuring device, cement, a scrubbing brush, a saw and a pair of binoculars. “I never really know what to expect,” he says. He also always takes a backpack on his excursions, which contains provisions for his daily needs, plus warm clothing, various small items and his satellite measurement device. In the field, he constantly has to search for boundary stones and plates, as well as engraved border markings. He has to scale mountain peaks, fight his way through forest undergrowth and sometimes even cross rivers in order to find the exact location of the border between Switzerland and a neighbouring country. 

Challenging workplace

Once he has found a border marker, Alain Wicht then has to measure its exact location and keep it clean and maintained. Some of the boundary stones date back to the 16th century: “The finest examples are along the border with France,” he explains. Some of them display the symbol of the French monarchy, the fleur-de-lys, or the Bernese bear. In order to successfully carry out his often adventurous daily activities, he not only has to possess the necessary surveying skills, but also needs to be physically fit and be able to assess risks. There is one element that is always decisive in his profession: the weather. If there is still snow on the ground in the spring, or a storm has been forecast in the summer, he has to adapt his daily schedule accordingly. 

Diplomatic skills

In his profession he also needs diplomatic skills in his dealings with the relevant authorities in Switzerland’s neighbouring countries, because he is a member of various technical and political commissions. When he has to attend a meeting he exchanges his outdoor clothing for suit and tie, and thus transforms himself into a diplomat. “I enjoy the versatility of the work I carry out at swisstopo,” he says. He regularly travels to Italy, France, Germany, Liechtenstein and Austria, or receives delegations from these countries in Switzerland, in order to hold bilateral talks with his counterparts. Here, the fact that he is bilingual is a valuable asset. “We have an agreement with each of our neighbouring countries that regulates the control and maintenance of our borders,” he explains.  

Need to redraw the border with Italy

Alain Wicht is currently involved in a somewhat unusual project: the border between Italy and Switzerland needs to be checked and partially redrawn because its course is changing. Glaciers are melting and the courses of watersheds are shifting. The agreement concluded in 1960 is now outdated and needs to be modified. Both countries are involved in this project. Alain Wicht is also responsible for the region between Chiasso and the French border. Some of the markings and boundary stones are located at dizzying heights, so tracing the border at those locations has to be done with the aid of a military helicopter. “Together with the pilot, I identify these border points using a navigation system,” he explains. If there is nowhere for the helicopter to land, Alain Wicht has to be lowered to the ground from the hovering helicopter and subsequently winched back up. He is well accustomed to this situation: “I just take a deep breath and get on with my work.” The broader the horizon, the more accurate the result: when there are no obstacles in the way, the measuring device can readily connect with up to 32 satellites. In less than one minute, the result that is obtained is accurate to the nearest centimetre.