The Matterhorn, Switzerland

The Matterhorn is a mountain of the Alps, straddling the main watershed and border between Switzerland and Italy. Wikipedia

Elevation: 4,478 m

First ascent: July 14, 1865

Prominence: 1,040 m

Listing: Great north faces of the Alps

First ascenders: Edward Whymper, Charles Hudson, more

Mountain range: Alps, Pennine Alps

 

 

The Matterhorn, the king of mountains, is the most-photographed mountain in the world. It is myth and emblem for Alpinists and photographers alike, as well as Switzerland’s most famous landmark and symbol. In 2015, Zermatt will celebrate its mountain in the context of numerous events, all relating to the first ascent of the famous mountain by Zermatt mountain guides and Englishman Edward Whymper in 1865, 150 years ago.

The Matterhorn has a magic attraction, both for day-trippers who love the view and for Alpinists who love a challenge and dream of climbing the peak of the Matterhorn at least once in their lives. The most popular ascent route is the Hörnligrat.
Base Camp Matterhorn / Hörnlihütte
Height
4,478 m
First ascent
14 July 1865: the Matterhorn was the only remaining famous 4,000-metre peak to be conquered.
First climbed by
Edward Whymper, Douglas R. Hadow, Charles Hudson, Francis Douglas, Michel-Auguste Croz, Peter Taugwalder senior, Peter Taugwalder junior. On the descent, four climbers fell to their deaths: Douglas R. Hadow, Charles Hudson, Francis Douglas and Michel-Auguste Croz.
Tips in the village

• Zermatlantis, the Matterhorn Museum, with Matterhorn room: exhibits include the snapped rope from the first ascent (original)
• Hotel Monte Rosa with commemorative plaque for the first ascent. Guided tours.
• Hotel Matterhorn Lodge: Matterhorn-themed hotel.
• Guided tours of the village
• Vernissage cinema, documentary film “Whymper's Weg aufs Matterhorn”, original sound with subtitles in German/English/French
• Mountaineers’ cemetery with memorial stones to Peter & Peter Taugwalder, Michel-Auguste Croz