The Hörnli Ridge (North-East Ridge)
After 18 failed attempts the eight-year struggle for the pioneering ascent came to an end. The first ascent took place on the 14th July 1865 by the guides from Zermatt Peter Taugwalder senior and junior, the guide from Chamonix Michel Croz and the Englishmen Edward Whymper, Charles Hudson, Robert D. Hadow and Lord Francis Douglas. During the descent the last three Englismen and M. Croz lost their lives. The greatest rival of Whymper, Jean-Antoine Carrel reached the summit together with Jean-Baptiste Bich three days later via the Lion Ridge (also called Italian Ridge).
The North Face
For the first time the notorious North Face is scaled on 31.7./1.8. 1931 by the brothers Franz and Toni Schmid from Munich. The Swiss Hilti von Allmen und Paul Etter were the first men who mastered the North Face in winter (1962).
Literature about the Matterhorn
Learn more about the interesting history of the Matterhorn!
