How to Climb the Matterhorn

Located on the border of Italy and Switzerland the Matterhorn has long been held as a classic climb among mountaineers. Even though it is not generally considered particularly dangerous because it is climbed so often, the Matterhorn can be a very dangerous and sometimes deadly climb.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Warm clothes
• Climbing boots
• Crampons
• Hiking poles

1. Hire a guide. The Matterhorn can be one of the safest climbs you ever do, if you hire a guide.
2. Hike up to Humli Hut, located at the Matterhorn trail head 10,700 feet above sea level, on the day before your ascent.
3. Get started early the next morning and begin walking up the hill. After a few hours you should come to a huge snow slope.
4. Attach your crampons to your climbing boots and continue up the hill using your hiking sticks for balance.
5. Shortly before you reach the top you will come to a vertical face. There are ropes permanently attached here. Use these to climb the face.
6. Walk a few hundred feet up the ridge after you clear the rock face and you will be at the very top of the Matterhorn. Be sure to take some pictures.

Tips & Warnings

• You want to climb quickly and start early, because ice that is easy to walk on in the morning can become slick and dangerous by the afternoon due to the drop in temperatures.
• Climbing the Matterhorn is very strenuous. You can easily become dehydrated while performing strenuous activities in cold weather so be sure to bring at least four quarts of water, and drink regularly even if you don't feel thirsty.
• Mountain climbing is very dangerous. Take a technical climbing course before attempting to climb the Matterhorn or any mountain.