The Matterhorn (Italian: Monte Cervino, French: Mont Cervin or Le Cervin) is considered to be one of the most beautiful and also one of the most popular European mountains. Reaching the altitude of 4478 meters, the Matterhorn is the 7th highest peak in the Alps. As a natural border it towers over the well known Zermatt in Switzerland and the italian town Breuil – Cervinia. The name of the mountain origins in german words „matte“ – a mountain meadow and „horn“ – which has the same meaning in German and describes its undeniable shape. The Matterhorn was the last unclimbed 4000er. And conquering its peak was considered unreal and impossible. The first attempt to ascent the mountain was made by Jean Antoine Carrel, a hunter from Breuil and his two companions. They managed to reach only the Tete du Lion. But at the same time they asigned the route on the Lion´s ridge used by the mountaineers during the following attempts to conquer the mountain. (More exact details can be found on wikipedia.com.)
Ascending the most beautiful summit of a mountain in the Alps can be done by various routes. The first option leads from italian Cervinia along the western ridge with the Carrel hut onroute. The second variation starts in the valley of Zermatt along the eastern ridge where also the Hornli hut is located. The discent is done by the same direction as the ascent. Another option is ascending from the Italian side and descending to Switzerland. Or climbing the Matterhorn from the Zmutt Ridge.
Date
June – September
Price
From 1 750 € – depending on the ascent route
Just before the ascent of the Matterhorn at least one or two acclimatization days are needed. They serve the mountain guide to get to know the client´s ability and skills to climb the mountain. The acclimatization days are paid extra. The price is 450 € per day.
Participants: 1 person
Difficulty
advance, physically fit
Price includes
guiding by a professional mountain guide
Price does not include
Transportation, the accomodation, food and lifts / cable car costs of the mountain guide, climbing and safety equipment, insurance
A bit of climbing history:
The mountain has two peaks – the Swiss one and a hundred meters lower Italian one where a large cross is placed. In the second half of the 19th century started the fights for the first ascent between the Italians and the Swiss. The Englishman Edward Whymper together with his guides reached the summit via the Hornli Ridge on the 14th July 1965. Unfortunately, during the descent a tragedy took a place. A sudden fall down the north face claimed the lives of four of the climbers. Only Whymper and the Taugwalder brothers survied. Just three days later was the Matterhorn ascended by the Italian climber Jean – Antoine Carrel. He reached the peak of the mountain together with his comapnions via the Lion´s Ridge. Regrettabely, it was the second and not the first ascent of the Matterhorn…
