The Matterhorn

As a result of enormous forces, the African continent started moving towards Europe 100 million years ago, and the ocean that existed between the two continents at that time began to disappear. 50 million years later, the large rock formations involved in this movement began to deform and fold, and the Matterhorn was created from the upward movement of these rock masses. It is one of the best-known symbols of Switzerland, and is the most beautiful and most photographed mountain in the world. 3'000 people try to climb it every year.

The Matterhorn was first climbed 140 years ago, on the 14th of July 1865. Four of the seven young men who made the assault on the mountain led by the Englishman Edward Whymper lost their lives in the attempt. Everyone was talking about Zermatt and the accident on the Matterhorn. The rope that connected Edward Whymper and father and son Taugwalder from Zermatt with the rest of the unfortunate rope team and that tore during the descent is on display in the Matterhorn Museum, along with other relics of the first ascent.

Nowadays, most mountaineers choose the Hörnligrat (on the north-east face) for their first ascent. On the Swiss side, the normal route starts with the hike from Zermatt-Schwarzsee to the Matterhornhütte (Hörnlihütte, 3,260 m. above sea level) and the neighbouring Berghaus Matterhorn. A 4 to 5-hour climb over the Hörnligrat leads from here to the summit. The Solvayhütte (4,003 m. above sea level), which was built as an emergency refuge, is at the halfway point.

Those who succeed in climbing the Matterhorn are entitled to be truly proud of themselves, and can register themselves in the Internet as a «Matterhorn Climber».