• Key Information

  • Matterhorn

  • Type
    Mountain
  • Elevation
    14,692 ft
  • Prominence
    3,418 ft
  • First Ascent
    14 July 1865 by Edward Whymper, Charles Hudson, Francis Douglas, Douglas Robert Hadow, Michel Croz, Peter Taugwalder (father), Peter Taugwalder (son)
  • Learning Point
  • The Matterhorn is one of the most recogniseable mountains in the Alps mountain range, with its pyramid-like shape being formed by four glaciers. It was one of the last mountains to be climbed in the Alps, and is often climbed by mountaineers today.
  • Project
  • Draw the Matterhorn with you and your friends climbing it.
  • Location
  • Located in
    Aosta Valley, Italy & Valais, Switzerland
  • Fun Facts
  • The name Matterhorn derives from the German words Matte ("meadow") and Horn ("horn") and often translated as "the peak of the meadows".
  • Because of its height and how it is isolated from other mountains, the weather can change suddenly and unexpectedly.
  • The first complete ascent up the mountain was made on 13 July 1865 by Edward Whymper and six other climbers.
  • During the first descent from the top, four of the climbers fell and died. Over 500 people have since died on the mountain.