Climbing the Matterhorn - 5 tips for a successful ascent

Our own experience of preparing for and climbing the Matterhorn. This is not an instructional piece, the intention is to share some information about this fabulous, iconic mountain, having climbed it. It's a dangerous pursuit. I've lost friends to winter climbing, and a relative on Mont Blanc. Accidents happen. We choose to climb with full knowledge of the objective dangers.

[@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😁

[@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.

[@mikebarton]

Terrific clip. Thank you.

[@FIVE-FOOTLyth]

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

[@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 🤗

[@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

[@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…… 🤗

[@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

[@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. ❤️

[@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 🍻

[@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]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂