Zermatt

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

We stopped at Zermatt on the ride from Chamonix to Andermatt. You can't ride (or drive) to Zermatt. A narrow gauge train from Tasch takes you there.

The town of Zermatt is nestled beneath the Matterhorn (4478 m), which got its name from the town. Surrounded by many 4000 meter mountains, Zermatt became a popular tourist town in the mid 19th century, during the "Golden Age" of mountaineering. The Matterhorn was first scaled in 1865 by Edward Whymper. Four of Whymper's party fell to their deaths on the descent, but the connecting rope broke, saving Whymper and two guides.

We didn't climb the Matterhorn, but we did ride the Klein-Matterhorn-Bahn, Europe's highest ski lift, to the top of the Klein(little)-Matterhorn.

Klein-Matterhorn-Bahn

Klein-Matterhorn observation deck

The observation deck atop the Klein-Matterhorn. That's Kathleen in front of the cross. The (big) Matterhorn is just below the arm.

The Breithorn (below) is directly north of the Klein-Matterhorn. In the blow-up you can just make out 5 hikers (climbers?). If I remember correctly, two were going up, and three were coming down.