Three Climbers Die on the Matterhorn

Three climbers died this past week after falling off the Matterhorn in two separate incidents. Officials have yet to release any personal information about the deceased.

The first accident took place on Aug. 14 when two climbers failed to return to the Hornli Hut after leaving to climb the Hornli Ridge. The innkeeper at the hut reported the situation to the Valais Cantonal Rescue Group and a helicopter was sent out to look for the missing climbers. Two bodies were recovered from the base of the north face.

Two days later, a climber witnessed another climber fall off the Hornli Ridge down the north face to the Matterhorn Glacier 800 metres below. The climber’s body was later recovered.

The Hornli Ridge is the most popular route up the famous Swiss mountain and was the one used by the 1865 first ascent team led by Edward Whymper. During their climb, four climbers fell off the ridge and to their deaths down the north face – watch a documentary below about the historic ascent. Over 600 climbers have died on the Matterhorn over the past 160 years.

Matterhorn Documentary