Matterhorn

Matterhorn

The Matterhorn which lies on the border between Switzerland and Italy, is one of the most familiar mountain peaks in the Alps. Known as the Matterhorn in German, it is known as Cervino in Italian, and Mont Cervin in French. It's distinct shape makes it a familiar and favorite photographic subject. The Matterhorn has four faces and is known as a horn. The steepness of the sides keeps snow and ice from clinging, and avalanches are frequent. It has an AD rating, and although a difficult climb, it is not a hard climb for seasoned climbers. Most climbers climb the Swiss side.

Each of the four faces has a route. The Hörnligrat, or Hornli Ridge, on the northeast ridge, the Italian Ridge or Liongrat, on the southwest ridge, the Zmuttgrat on the northwest ridge, and the Furggengrat on the southeast ridge. After many failed attempts, Edward Whymper and his party were the first to successfully climb the Matterhorn, but during the descent four of the climbers slipped and fell to their death. The controversy surrounding this made the mountain well known. Many other prominent mountains in the world are nicknamed the Matterhorn, including Mount Assinibone, in North America, Machapuchare, in Nepal, Mount Yari of Japan, Ushba of the Caucasus Mountains and Ama Dablam of the Himalayas.

The Matterhorn originated in Africa, but moved with the Alps when the African plate moved over the European plate, 90 million years ago. Fast Facts:

14,692 feet high
First ascended in 1985
The Hornli Ridge, on the northeast, is the usual climbing route
Several climbers die each year
Falling rock has become a problem
Glaciers are rapidly melting
Disneyland has a miniature, bobsled variation of it

Categories

Geography | Travel | Mountains

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The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Matterhorn
Zermatt: Matterhorn
SummitPost: Matterhorn Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering
Peakbagger.com: Matterhorn
Alpinist: Record Retour On The Matterhorn's Hornli Ridge (September 20, 2007)
Amazon.com: Tour of the Matterhorn
Video: The Matterhorn (Time:05:33)

Matterhorn News

Google News: The Matterhorn
The New York Times Search: Matterhorn
BBC - Search: Matterhorn
CommonDreams.org: Decades of Devastation Ahead as Global Warming Melts the Alps (July 20, 2003)

Matterhorn History and Background

Wikipedia: Pyramidal peaks
University of Wisconsin: Orogenic Belts
ABC News: Mountaineers Testify to Warming's Effect

Matterhorn Educational Resources

Matterhorn Museum

Matterhorn Travel

Matterhorn Transportation

VirtualTourist.com: Zermatt Transportation
iExplore: Switzerland Airports
Rail Europe: Switzerland Rail Pass

Matterhorn Travel Packages

Mountain Madness: Mont Blanc, The Matterhorn
Mountain Guides: The Matterhorn
GORP: Experience Matterhorn Magic

Matterhorn Activities

Ski-zermatt.com: Zermatt, Matterhorn - What to do in Summer
Alpine Hiking: Jungfrau and Matterhorn Switzerland
Zermatt: Matterhorn Glacier
Ski-Europe.com: Skiing Zermatt, Switzerland
Photo Safaris: Alps in Autumn

Matterhorn Photos and Videos

Panorama: Matterhorn Zermatt-Mountaineering in Switzerland
Peakware: Matterhorn Photos
Google Video: The Matterhorn Search
Yahoo! Image: Matterhorn Search
Picsearch: Matterhorn Pictures
Google Image: The Matterhorn Search
Yahoo! Video: Matterhorn Search

Matterhorn Blogs and Forums

Google Blog Search: The Matterhorn
SummitPost: Matterhorn in Winter Tastes Bittersweet
Seattlepi.com: Matterhorn misadventure: Be prepared -- and never dress for a walk... (May 23, 2007)
Photo.net: Leica and Rangefinders Forum: Matterhorn (October 8, 2006)
Lanset: Matterhorn Article
Leh Ladakh: Indus River Rafting Excitement

Matterhorn Fun Stuff

Disneyland Park: Matterhorn Bobsleds
Cedar Point: Matterhorn
Zermatt - Matterhorn Web Cam
Matterhorn Project: MUH!, Moo Song, MOO!
JigZone.com: Matterhorn Jigsaw Puzzle

Matterhorn Books and Merchandise

Amazon.com: Matterhorn Merchandise
AllPosters.com: Matterhorn Posters
Cafe Press: Matterhorn Merchandise
Google Product Search: The Matterhorn
eBay: The Matterhorn Merchandise

Related Pages on Mahalo

Alps | Switzerland | Italy | Zermatt | Climbing | Himalayas | Kilimanjaro | Alaska Range | Mountaineering | Skiing | Caucasus Mountains | Andes

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