Climbing the Matterhorn - 5 tips for a successful ascent

[@jonashubalekwhiskyandthewild]

Hello Sue, good informative video about the Hornli/normal route. Well done for climbing it and being so fit to do it. Won't ask about the age but don't think you were in your twenties..🙂Well done! I think the fitness is the main aspect for this climb. For Italian route even more, it's very straightforward line to follow, but steep and even with protection it's hard. Not technical climbing but hundreds of pull ups on the way🙂 For the way down via Hornli ridge I remember it's quite long, not as steep as the other side but not as obvious to follow and in a few places there is a danger you can get lost and end up in steep almost vertical terrain as you mentioned.. That ridge is almost without protection as far as I remember so it's more fair ascent and more about mountaineering in general [unless you in the queue with the others] In ideal summer conditions it's mainly rock scrambling/climbing both ways excluding the very top, no glacier, no crevasses, ideal for solo ascent🙂 I don't think climbing experience is crucially important for these two easy ridges on Matterhorn [Hornli and Lion route] but is definitely an advantage. However as I mentioned before one has to be young, fit and strong to try this one. I think people over forty are generally too old for this ascent unless they are very fit and sporty and look after themselves like you and/or your husband... Not saying you two look over forty at all!!🤣🤣 Sorry to bore you off with a long comment. ATB Jonas.

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Hey!!!! It’s a great pleasure to hear from you Jonas 😃 You must know that I follow your channel and enjoy your adventures. They are extremely inspiring & you are way bolder than I but also very modest which I admire even more. It’s my birthday today, I am 57 so yes. Older than twenties 😂😂 Currently camping at Inverie under a very starry sky, so your comment has made a great day even better. Na zdraví 🍻 The Lion ridge…. 👌

[@jonashubalekwhiskyandthewild]

@@FIVE-FOOTLyth Vsechno nejlepsi k narozeninam😁

[@ikmarchini]

Utmost respect to you from New Jersey. At 71 the stairs have become daunting. But the joy you radiate in this lovely video makes me wonder, hmmm???

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

@@ikmarchini Thank you, what a lovely thing to say! 🤗 The Matterhorn is one of the world’s wonders, that’s for sure.. probably never to be repeated for me, but I’ll never, ever forget the experience. I recently watched (from my tent) a trail of head torches weaving their way up from the bottom of the ridge. I felt envious! ❤️ All the best, Sue

[@raphaelwellig5066]

Hello Five-Foot Lyth I congratulate you on climbing the Matterhorn in my home region of Valais. Thank you for the wonderful film. It brings back many unforgettable memories. I wish you wonderful mountain tours. With alpine greetings Raphael Wellig

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

@@raphaelwellig5066 Hello Raphael, it is wonderful to hear from you. And I feel honoured to receive such feedback from someone who is local to the Valais region. The more I visit this area, the more I love it ❤️ The Matterhorn was a dream come true for me, and I will never forget it. Likewise, may you have many wonderful mountain adventures! Cheers! Sue 😊

[@velislavstoev]

Congrats! Thank yo for creating this video and sharing it. I found it very helpful. Good luck in your next journeys. Cheers!

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

@@velislavstoev Thank you! Good luck to you too, whatever your plans are 😁 Sue

[@kvpc11]

Thank you for this wonderful video! I have been climbing and training and plan on soloing the Matterhorn this August. Your information is greatly appreciated!

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Wow!!!! That’s brilliant.. a pleasure to be of some help. Good luck, are you planning the same route? I’m envious, it was a wonderful climb.

[@catchyoulater.5836]

A really very well presented and informative video, Sue. I remember your photo of topping out on the Matterhorn. I was so happy for you. Your fitness is key, and I know the hard work you have put in, even though some injury problems. But your main attribute is your mental strength with a great sense of humour. Well done, again ❤

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Ooooooh, bless you Mick. Thanks so much for the comments. We’ve shared more than one adventure haven’t we? As for mental strength, that’s one aspect of adventure which you will always excel at! Until the next one…… 🤗

[@IanTupmanOutdoors]

Very helpful for folks contemplating this Sue and Dave. And I like the format, very relaxed and enjoyable. Hope to catch up with you both soon. Ian and Meg 🙋‍♂🐶

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Thank Ian 😁 A different style for me, thought I should show my face for a change 😉 Hope you’re both doing OK, & Meg still recovering well. TTFN 🤗 Sue

[@OlderandBolder.]

Yes, preparation is key. The things that we have to work hardest for are usually the most enjoyable and rewarding (often with hindsight). I know you work hard to achieve your dreams, hence, I shall think of you when I struggle up the stairs - to achieve my dreams! Seriously though, thanks for a relevant, concise and motivational video. 👏

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Thanks so much for your comments, they mean more than you know. Yes, I agree that sometimes hindsight is the less painful moment when one realises what we have managed to achieve. Especially the big dreams! At times the adventure is so huge that we don’t take all of it in until we reflect on it afterwards. Best wishes, Sue 🤗

[@oliviabaklaton4552]

6. Look back every few minutes to memorize the track down. 7. Don't do it if there is still snow starting at 4200 m. Such conditions are for the professionals. 8. Take 10 slings, 10 little stoppers and 20 snap links with you. Use the bolts, the last 25 m to the solvay hut are bolted, use them climbing like in the rocks. Then have 25-45 m between you and the second. Now you can, after Solvay, place slings and stoppers while climbing up without stopping. Before running out of gear make a relay. Place slings around the fix ropes. Below the summit, after the fix ropes, there are bolts too. This way and I went up 5 times, among once with 8 people, 2 ropes 50 m, and once with 3 people, 50 m rope. Same procedure going down. Same week (with the 8) 4 climbers at one rope fell down, all dead. They had no slings, stoppers placed between theme.

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

@@oliviabaklaton4552 Thanks for your interest. Everyone has their own technique and climbing style, according to their abilities. The Matterhorn, like all high altitude environments, are potentially dangerous. Safety, as well as climbing at sufficient speed, are paramount. Congratulations on your ascent. ATB, Sue

[@mikebarton]

Terrific clip. Thank you.

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Thanks Mike, appreciate the comment & glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@lifesahobby]

This is outstanding btw , thanks for the detail .

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Thanks Owen. Always aim to please! 😊 My wish is for anyone watching to be encouraged to go for their dreams (safely!) ATB, Sue

[@mongolmcphee7791]

Food work! Greetings from Scotland

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Thank you! Where in Scotland? I’m a massive Scotland fan!! 😊

[@mongolmcphee7791]

@@FIVE-FOOTLyth Glasgow it's self mate, so there is a bit of a drive before the ground starts pointing up (not too bad though).

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

@@mongolmcphee7791 👍 I live in the lovely Yorkshire dales but Scotland can’t be matched! To Glasgow 🍻

[@darrensmith3796]

Do you know if there is a hut near the castor Peak because I had planned to climb castor but it is to far away from the cable car station and would not want to be stranded up there all night because of not being able to get back in time for the last cable car back to Zermatt

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Hi Darren. There is a bivouac hut - Rossi e Volante hut, however don’t know of any other huts from the Swiss side. The first cable car from Zermatt is very early and we had no problem making it back before the last one down, though the snow does get very soft and the last pitch to the summit was taking some people by surprise! You may already know, but a 50m rope is needed unless you’re very confident with a steep slope, I placed a couple of ice screws to protect it. Thanks, and Best of luck! Sue 🙂

[@darrensmith3796]

@@FIVE-FOOTLyth Thanks for the information that's good to know I can climb castor and make it back in time for the last cable car. I will be going back to Zermatt next year to have a try at the Matterhorn is July the best time of year for the Matterhorn the Matterhorn is on my list of climbs to do along with the Himalayan Matterhorn Ama Dablam

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

@@darrensmith3796 Hi Darren. We always go end of July to very early August, August is busier due to holiday season and July is supposedly the best time for weather according to the guide books. There are always exceptions, we’re heading there now for 3 weeks and there has been major flooding in Zermatt! I’m no expert but the best advice I can give is to wait until the weather is perfect. Good luck 👍

[@darrensmith3796]

@@FIVE-FOOTLyth Thanks Sue I'll plan and prepare for the Matterhorn for July next year

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

@@darrensmith3796 www.summitpost.org/rossi-e-volante-bivouac-hut/914818 This is a post I found on the bivouac hut. It’s nearer Breithorn than Castor but I think some people have used it in extremis.

[@SetForAdventures]

What can I say Sue truly epic 🙌🙌 isn’t really enough to be fair to have soloed the Matterhorn 🏔️🇨🇭but epic 🤠👌🏻 Some great tips too the recon especially has served me well in way easier climbs than this of course but feeling the rock the mountain 🏔️ makes a difference & that east face (keep that in mind 😳) Great film 🙏🏼 BIG FLEX 💪 😉 Very best regards Simon 🤠👍🏔️

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Thanks Simon. A bit different for me this one, but I wanted to share my experience & do something useful! Really appreciate your interest. ❤️

[@lifesahobby]

Watching this in a tent .

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

Hey Owen, in a tent too! Cheers!🍻 thanks for watching, this was a bit different for me so glad you liked it 🤗

[@lifesahobby]

@@FIVE-FOOTLyth the line "have your wits about you " says it all

[@SetForAdventures]

Oh forgot to say congratulations to Dave (I genuinely thought he had sat this one out while you climbed ) don’t know why I thought that 🙃 ATB 🏔️🇨🇭💪

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂