Conquering the Matterhorn

Good news this week regarding the Matterhorn, the iconic peak of the Alps.

Matterhorn
But first, let's look back, anecdotally.

Reportedly in the last 150 years over 500 climbers have died trying to conquer 14,690-foot Matterhorn in Switzerland. The first successful reaching of the summit occurred in 1865 when, after two days of climbing, Englishman Edward Whymper, leading a team of seven, topped the mountain.

Sadly, tragedy struck on their descent.

The steep terrain below the summit quickly tested the team, and they roped together as a string of seven so that several climbers would always be in a secure position. Inching down, the guide Michel Croz had to help the inexperienced Douglas Hadow by placing his feet into the holds. Then, the glory of their first ascent of the Matterhorn was forever tainted when Hadow fell, knocking Croz off his awkward stance as well. The two men slid at first, arms outstretched in an attempt to save themselves. Charles Hudson’s attempt to stop the fall failed, and he too started sliding. Now with three men falling, Francis Douglas was yanked from his position.

Whymper watched in horror as four of his companions slid away from him. Later he wrote, “Every night, do you understand, I see my comrades of the Matterhorn slipping on their backs, their arms outstretched, one after the other, in perfect order at equal distances — Croz, the guide, first, then Hadow, then Hudson, and lastly Douglas. Yes, I shall always see them.”

The four bounced and tumbled for 4,000 feet.

Regarding the good news, on Wednesday Spanish climber Killian Jornet Burgada ascended and descended the Matterhorn in a "back-to-back time of just two hours 52 minutes."

So, even though the Matterhorn has been insurmountable for hundreds of climbers, Senor Burgada accomplished the task in less time than I devote to watching a Monday Night Football game. Bravo!