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MATTERHORN ASCENT

Guided Climb of the Iconic 4478m Matterhorn in Zermatt

Climb the Iconic Matterhorn With Epic Europe Guides in Zermatt


151 years ago, the iconic Matterhorn (4478m) was summited for the first time by Englishman Edward Whymper and his team. On 14 July 1865, Whymper’s 7-man team completed the first ascent of the Matterhorn via the Hörnligrat ridge and the north face. Whymper was the first to reach the summit, followed by the mountain guide Michel Croz (from Chamonix), the Reverend Charles Hudson, Lord Francis Douglas, Douglas Robert Hadow (all from England) and the Zermatt mountain guides Peter Taugwalder senior and Peter Taugwalder junior.  

 

This summer, Epic Europe celebrates this impressive feat with a special itinerary designed to make you feel like Whymper yourself, with modern-day gear and comforts, of course. Custom trips for private groups and individuals, tailored to meet your abilities and strengths, achieving your own summit safely.

 

Proposed Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival – VIP transfer to Zermatt, check in at the Hotel Monte Rosa 4*+ Meet with your Epic Europe UIAGM guide to discuss the week’s plan, and review gear. 

Day 2 - 4: Training and acclimatization climbs followed by lunches at some of our favorite on-mountain restaurants.

- Riffelhorn 2928 m: Various rock climbing routes of different levels of difficulty. Ideal climbing preparation for the Matterhorn ascent.

- Half-traverse of the Breithorn 4164m, or Pollux 4091m: Training climbs for hiking and climbing with crampons. Ideal for proper altitude acclimatization.

Day 5: Scenic heli tour – review gear and climb to the Hörnlihütte for overnight before the Matterhorn ascent, cable car to Schwarzsee and an easy 2-hour walk to the hut. Dinner & overnight Hörnlihütte.

Day 6: The ascent of the Matterhorn. Breakfast at 4:00am, and just before dawn, commence the procession up the Hörnligrat ridge. The ascent takes approx. 4-5 hours, and the descent requires about the same amount of time. The route is mostly rock, and entails scrambling and climbing interspersed with some fixed ropes on difficult sections to the Solvay Hut. Once on the ridge, you will climb on fixed ropes and mixed terrain from the north-facing side to the shoulder up to the summit. The descent follows the same route down, with the goal of descending in time to get the last lift down from Schwarzsee to Zermatt.

Day 7: Weather day, or use this day for a final climb or relaxing down day in the village of Zermatt.

Day 8: Guest departure, VIP transfer to Geneva, Milan or Zurich airport


* Pre-course fitness training and acclimatization: The best way to reach proper altitude acclimatization and the required level of physical fitness is to train in advance. Contact us for a recommended pre-trip training regime.

 

Highlights

  • Pre-ascent training with a renowned Zermatt mountain guide
  • Accommodation at the historic Hotel Monte Rosa 4*+, the mountaineering headquarters of Edward Whymper and his team
  • Pre-climb overnight in the new Hörnlihütte - mountain refuge, private room with bathroom
  • 1:1 Guide to client ratio for the climb and descent of the Matterhorn
  • 30 minute scenic heli flight around the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa Massif
  • Private tour of the Matterhorn museum and local history tour with an elder retired mountain guide
  • Celebratory dinners, massages, private gear fittings, everything you need to conquer the Matterhorn in comfort!
  • Women’s ascent of the Matterhorn: climb with a fully certified female UIAGM guide
  • The Matterhorn is one of the most difficult classic climbs in the Alps. The ascent and descent are on rock and ice only and require excellent physical condition as well as high mountain experience.
  • The best time for climbing the Matterhorn is from the beginning of July until the end of September
  • For safety reasons there can only be one participant per guide for the actual ascent of the Matterhorn. For small groups, the training can be accomplished together.
Matterhorn Ascent
 
 

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Destination:
zermatt
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WHAT WE DO

Epic Europe is a luxury experiential adventure travel operator based in the Swiss Alps.


Epic Europe specializes in private bespoke itineraries for small groups. Experiencing the best of each region, from interacting with the local people and enjoying authentic regional food and wine, as well as time-honored traditions and festivals, to recreating in the alpine landscape, and truly understanding why the Alps are the birthplace of adventure travel. From custom ski, hiking, or cycling trips to building in city tours, cultural itineraries, or gastronomic discovery, these award-winning, multi-dimensional trips are tailored to our clients' wishes every time, and are not packaged tours. From Switzerland, Italy, and France's Alps, to world-class cultural cities and larger towns, Epic Europe can design a tailored adventure that fulfills your every need. 

  • "I have done trips in the Alps and surrounding regions with Epic Europe for the past 4 years, and every one has been unique and surpassed the last. The experiences that they deliver due to their personal relationships are a window into the real life in these incredible locations, and they share these friendships with us." - K.B., CT USA
  • "I would have to say that Verbier and Zermatt might be the best places I have ever ridden a mountain bike, and I couldn't imagine going without the help of Epic Europe's guides. It was a dream trip for sure." - B.S., PA USA
  • "Epic Europe has coordinated several corporate events for us over the past 5 years, and I cannot imagine a more professional operation to handle all of the details. From a team-building event for 50 people in a 17th-century castle atop a mountain pass, to marketing conferences and catalog shoots, their knowledge of the best locations in the Alps is second-to-none, and they are as good as it gets at being creative." - E.P., Lugano CH
  • "Epic Europe's custom road biking trip that they put together for my buddy's bachelor party was great - the right combination of killer rides, great hotels, and outstanding restaurants. Great guides, and overall a perfect trip." - A.S., London UK
  • "Our family spent last Christmas in Zermatt on a bespoke Epic Europe ski trip. The special thought and care that they put into our holiday made it our best yet." - L.M.; CA USA
  • "A day of heliskiing in Italy culminated with a sunset run off the Breuil saddle of the Matterhorn - one of the most thrilling runs of my life - and we left our tracks in a place where they remained for a week afterward, reminding us of the best day of skiing in our life!" - WG, CT USA
  • “The team at Epic Europe created the most incredible trip for us, where everything came together seamlessly, and we never had to think about what came next - it just magically happened as if it was meant to be. That takes real talent, and they make it look easy." - B.N., WY USA
  • "Hiking in the Alps has always been on my bucket list, but I wasn't sure that a typical trip was my style. Epic Europe designed a custom route for our group, staying in the best little inns and hotels, and we felt like we had the trails to ourselves. I will come back again and again to explore new trails with their guides every year that I can!" - R.B., NY USA

PROCESS

Would you like more information, or to have us create a tailored trip for you? We would be glad to begin the design process for your ultimate experience in the Alps. 


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