The Matterhorn: Risking it all to climb the most iconic mountain

[@codyandvictoria]

How about a thumbs up for the ol’ algorithm? 😊

[@ChrisBabez]

no.

[@codyandvictoria]

Wow. Edgy. Nicely done.

[@marcbalaban6299]

Honestly love that you folks bailed. A good bail shows more character than a reckless push. Thanks for normalizing smart decisions in mountaineering.

[@codyandvictoria]

It was a good call too cause a storm DID come in. I should have got footage but I was so dead 💀 haha

[@Mittzayyy]

Agreed. There have been so many accidents and deaths that could have been prevented if people would have just trusted their gut. 👏🏽

[@douwesprojects]

@@codyandvictoria Bailing is never a bad call. Very good that you share this amazing story and show that not every mountaineer is reckless!

[@medogandcatadventure]

This has nothing to do with bailing, but everything with maturity. Live in harmony with nature and not against it. Great job you two!!!! Amazing editing and story telling. 😍

[@richardburhouse8725]

Was gonna watch this then saw you’d said they bailed so turned it off…. Sorry but …

[@chrisgidney5135]

As Ed Viesturs says, "Getting to the top is optional, getting down is mandatory" I think you made the right decision

[@smilezgaming2821]

The cinematography of this video is IMMACULATE. While watching, I thought it was a documentary. One of my favorite videos by far!

[@rossrosskenny]

Thanks guys. You probably saved a lot of lives with this video, teaching people the importance of removing the ego and realizing when to call it a day, and having gratitude that you can even be halfway up such a majestic peak.

[@coopsie2910]

I had to check if I was actually on youtube and not Netflix because this felt like a amazingly produced documentary.

[@codyandvictoria]

🙏🏼 thanks for the compliments!

[@someoneshappyness]

Hey just one lil thing Why Netflix? Imean like why? Why u gotta check? Ik this is a fake phrase he using to express how good it is but The beauty of this is that it’s NOT Netflix with a big ass team and company behind Also this is real KZbin mixed with cinematography and so on And not just a empty dumb marketing Netflix this that money machine Yk? So this is kind of weird to see it that way Bc that it’s NOT Netflix is exactly the beauty of it And the whole thing of thinking only big company’s can do pretty stuff is sad to me And if u rlly jst used it as a phrase then dude come on… why not express urself more really then this And yes It is that deep Everything is Pls Let’s be more real together

[@xavidub]

I tried to climb this in 1993 and backed off at a similar point for the same reasons. I never considered it a failure. I lived to climb again in the Himalaya, Caucasus etc and I had an awesome experience. That said, it was probably the most scared I've ever been on a mountain. Stonefall was the worst. It takes a lot of courage to quit a climb but I learned early on that it's the most important part of your kit.

[@kenwbrenner]

Thank you for this good look at the Matterhorn. Was well-filmed and narrated. Thankful you turned around and made it back safely. God Bless!

[@kylezemeir]

The production quality of this video is truly top tier! Color grading, music, voice overs etc its just so incredible haha Plus a great story! Thanks for what you guys do!

[@codyandvictoria]

Haha so much work in this one! 😅 thanks for noticing!

[@foobar9220]

Pretty reasonable to turn around. Once you reach the Solvay hut, it just halftime up and going down takes as long as going up. We did the Lion ridge in 2019. It is a bit less crowded than Hörnli ridge, the hut is cheaper and conditions at the end of August were almost perfect as we climbed without crampons to the Italian Summits. If you ever come back to the alps, I can really recommend trying Bietschhorn. It is a pretty iconic pyramid and similar in difficulty to the Matterhorn, but a lot less crowded.

[@user-nw2si7hu3u]

So Much respect for people who don’t climb for ego and adrenaline but for beauty of the outdoors and the challenge and the communion with the mountain and nature. That’s the spirit ❤ keep it as safe as possible and be grateful for every minute you get on this beautiful planet 🌎

[@ckhicks]

This is something special. You captured and told this story in a super compelling way - belongs on Netflix, tbh - and it was fun to see you explore more of a documentary format. This really sells the importance of your steady commitment to enjoying the journey instead of chasing the summit. Great work.

[@cheers1905]

I LOVE the production. The shots, the colour grading, all superb. Also, massive respect to you for knowing when to bail. Smart and humble.

[@Marcela.Isabel]

I’m mostly a hiker than a rock climber and I can definitely say that mountain looks extremely spicy! Congrats on making it that far. I recently had to turn around at Mt Whitney due to AMS and man that was a tough call. We just keep on hiking, keep on climbing. Big big shoutout to your insane level of cinematography and story telling. You deliver better quality for every new video. It’s insane! Congrats to both of you.

[@codyandvictoria]

We’ve been there with AMS too. Never a bad reason to turn around. It happens. Live to see another day! 🙌🏼

[@petermartin9494]

Bravo. I respect you a lot more for turning back than if you had made the summit. Being safe is what mountaineering should be all about. Well done.

[@courtclimbs]

Literally every trip whenever we get back I’m like “yay, we didn’t get hurt!” So this really resonated! Looks insane, glad yall got to go!

[@codyandvictoria]

Hahaha not getting hurt is definitely a win!!… ask me how I know🤣🤦‍♀️ -V

[@courtclimbs]

@@codyandvictoria ugh, slipped my mind when I was commenting 💛 hope you’re healing up ok!

[@TalesFromAbroad-SJ]

Climbing the Matterhorn is such a bold and inspiring goal! It's easy to see why this iconic mountain draws so many mountaineers, but with its intense statistics, it’s clearly not for the faint-hearted. The Hornli Ridge route is legendary, and even experienced climbers have to navigate the balance between their passion for adventure and the real risks involved. Thanks for sharing this experience, and major respect for taking on such a monumental challenge!

[@ofthenearfuture]

Wow, the Matterhorn is no joke, and an absolutely epic adventure. Too bad about the summit, but that's just part of being in the mountains, it's your wisdom and humility that keeps you safe, and I appreciate you talking about your perspective on summiting. But the production and editing on this video was insane, so well done and loved the storytelling, I really enjoy the documentary style.

[@Just_Tyy]

As a long time follower and someone who’s from your neck of the woods. I feel like your editing has just stepped up another level. This was awesome.

[@codyandvictoria]

Glad it’s noticeable. Crazy what you can do when you’re not pushing out videos every 2 weeks 🥵

[@RoadsideTraveller]

production quality and your hard work totally hats off

[@codyandvictoria]

Oh man so much effort into this one - probably too much honestly - but it was fun!

[@RoadsideTraveller]

@@codyandvictoria ya doing advanture stuff and shoting at the same time is difficult as hell but worth it ... Love it and also color grading ❤️

[@dyroxau]

The editing in this video is phenomenal! Great video :)

[@tun6006]

The lives you two have saved/will save showing that it's ok to turn back.

[@LegionWolves]

This was the best video yall have put out yet. Great editing, and just awesome build up. Humble in “defeat” but priorities obviously in the right place. Love to see it, great job guys.

[@alternativemushroom]

Absolute masterpiece, you must feel so proud not just for climbing the Matterhorn but to document it so perfectly. Your best video so far in my opinion! Watching from my hotel in Chamonix and wishing Victoria a speedy recovery from her fall

[@codyandvictoria]

Haha so jealous you’re in Cham!

[@raposa.da.montanha]

You got it! It's not about summiting. It's beeing out there and just enjoying the Mountains and the nature.

[@mickeyhoward3851]

Very interesting & thoughtfully produced video. I liked the brutally honest commentary, which from 11.45 onward made it fairly clear that you were probably going to turn round before the summit. All of us suffer from 'summit fever' at some stage of our climbing careers and its good to rationalize why this is so, and we why go to the mountains in the first place. You nailed it later on by saying its 'more about having a good time' and staying safe than pushing things. By going down when you did you created a far more interesting, honest & beautiful video than if you'd just pushed on.

[@Ondraha]

This might be the best mountaineering video I have ever seen. Shots combined with that music and your commentary are just mesmerizing.

[@codyandvictoria]

Thanks for the compliments 🙏🏼

[@Julioc_dias]

Well done my friends! Nice video!!!! Keep climbing keep alive 🙏🏼 Matterhorn will be there forever.

[@elyselapalme7040]

Color grading is incredible. I love the grain and the colors! It works really well with the tone of the video :) It's one of the best video I watched in a long time! thanks !

[@codyandvictoria]

🙏🏼

[@Outdoor.Explore]

Really well put together video from the both of you, felt like I was watching a movie! The editing, sound effects and music choice made it so much better. It's cool to see your choice of going back down and not risking or forcing yourself to the top. Great video!

[@abekislevitz]

So beautiful! Color was unreal too, gotta get your workflow! I kept thinking how scary that climb looked and then remembered you were also filming the whole thing. Well done, thanks for sharing the adventure! Well told 👌🏻

[@codyandvictoria]

You know better than anybody that filming the thing is way different than just doing the thing. 😅 Always appreciate you checking out the videos. Happy to have a remote color session whenever you want! 🤘🏼

[@user-lb4bd1go9o]

Wow beautiful film Cody and Victoria. We love your attitude to enjoy and absorb the mountains and not just think you have to reach the summit at all costs - sadly the ultimate cost for some. You made it to 13,000 feet even so, wow. My adult daughter and I trekked to Hörnlihütte July 2024. Wonderful trip.

[@joshuakasumovic]

Responsible and commendable choice. I also bailed my first attempt about 600ft from the summit. It will always be there if you decide to do it again with everything you learned. Such an amazing video and storytelling. You guys rock!!

[@ellenclary]

I've been to Zermatt, but never on the Matterhorn. Congrats on making a good choice. The mountain will always be there and Zermatt is a stinkin' cute town.

[@kimu4952]

You guys are amazing people, adventurers, and by far the best film makers on KZbin! This was so great to watch!

[@jakesreilly]

Wow yall are incredible. The videos, the story telling. The shots in this are mind blowing. Extremely impressed and gets my super hyped and inspired every time a new video comes out

[@codyandvictoria]

Really appreciate that. This one was a labor of love for sure!

[@josephkovel949]

Been following you all for a while (from back in the camera review days) and this is by far the best video you’ve ever posted, well done!

[@codyandvictoria]

Thank you! Hoping to have some more where this one came from - good films take a little extra time 😬

[@robwalker8326]

Lots of hard work and talent went into making your clip. Super cinematography, nice work! I’m from Canada & summited the Matterhorn for my first time on Jul 29. They were recovering the body of a 58 year old Italian climber who had fallen just as I passed Hörnlihütte, which sure cast an uncomfortable pall on the climb after the easy ascent from Schwarzsee Station. It sounds like you folks started your climbing day in similar circumstances. Sad. I hiked up from Zermatt to the Schwarzsee Station (where your gondola unloaded), stayed at, started and ended my climbing day at the Schwarzsee Hotel. Most my ascents start from a camp somewhere above the tree line, often on a glacier someplace remote. So starting from the comforts of the Schwarzsee Hotel was a stark contrast. I poked my head into the Hörnlihütte as I hiked past, more of the same: top notch Swiss hospitality at its finest! Rock was much better quality than a lot of what I’m used to climbing in Canada, where questionable rock quality is part of the fun! I summited solo, packed a 70 m rappel line, got off route & used it on my way out. The section just above where it looks like you turned around, where the Solvay Hut is visible, was tricky, the rest of the climb was straightforward. Trickier sections higher up have fixed lines and rappel stakes, if you need them. If you’re curious, I have a trip report posted here: mountainrob.ca/Matterhorn Cheers from Canada, & I hope you folks enjoyed your trip to Switzerland, I greatly enjoyed your clip! Rob

[@ericl2122]

Thank you so much for sharing this video! On my third trip to the Matterhorn, I was able to climb and summit this amazing peak...ON THE SAME DAY YOU WERE CLIMBING IT TOO! Keep at it. Love your content...See you out there.

[@codyandvictoria]

That’s amazing. I don’t know if we will ever go back but I hope we get a chance to try again.

[@Run-n-Gun]

cinematic as fuck...having filmed on the matterhorn, this footage is incredible and completely story driven. Epic.

[@codyandvictoria]

Thank you 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@isabellelachance3755]

You guys are amazing and a good source of inspiration! You’re showing the way by being intelligent, so please, keep up with the great climbs. I Love everything you post! ❤🎉

[@LivingMoreFully]

Wow...stunning videography and story telling! Your videos haven't been showing up in my feed lately so now I turned on "notifications" for them and have several to catch up on. While I'm not a rock-climber, I adore hiking and backpacking, and I appreciate you taking us all along for the adventures you do. Much appreciated!

[@codyandvictoria]

Thanks for turning those on! Our schedule is a little less frequent these days but hopefully the videos are worth the wait

[@LivingMoreFully]

@@codyandvictoria Definitely worth the wait! There's obviously A LOT that goes into them and it's crucial to pace yourselves so, hopefully, you're also continuing to enjoy the process and not burnout.

[@cjcaves4290]

been watching since the cody blue days and i think this is your best work. everything was perfect, especially the storytelling. I love how close the talking head shots were, it felt unique and captivating. so awesome

[@codyandvictoria]

Always trying to step up the filmmaking game!! Thanks for being here

[@1012345MB]

The editing on your video is beautiful!! So so well made. Thanks for sharing this ❤

[@ScalingSummits]

Great film and footage guys. Wise choice to turn around so close to the summit but ultimately the correct decision giving yourself the best chance to climb again. I know the exact feeling standing on the shoulder and making that call a couple of years back. Safe climbing.

[@jasonissertell]

Fantastic movie! You guys have come a long way both in your cinematography and albinism. Thanks for taking us along on the journey! YEW 🤙

[@LukesHomeTube]

Good call not to mess around with the weather nor the descent. The mountain 🏔️ will still be there if you ever want to climb it again. What an epic trip!

[@chuckbowman1266]

First time ive seen yall. I hear you that is some dream life stuff man. To be there to be able to point and say " i was right thereeee....x marks the spot but the moment was everything you can re live in your mind.

[@kellenfleener]

Dude! Your video popped up on my algo! Been forever since I’ve met you at Lake Tahoe! Great to see you’re on this path and obviously still doing great things. Cheers to you and yours! 🎉

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Excellent storytelling! I really enjoyed the voiceover narration and amount of build up/background you gave

[@lonniecarlson8866]

So beautiful there, thanks for bringing us along. You made a good call bailing.

[@joegraves4690]

Insane that you guys make amazing films like this, by yourselves. Looks like you have a whole crew working behind the scenes. Awesome work!!

[@codyandvictoria]

We wear a ton of hats for sure 🧢👒🎩🪖⛑️ wish we had a crew!!

[@ardarico]

Wonderful video! I like that you appreciate our old continent's mountains :)

[@lukebohemian]

One of the best yet? Even better than it's relatable, not all gung ho must climb energy, but one more mindful and respectable of your own limits. Loved it

[@codyandvictoria]

Thanks man! A little more time in the edit was a nice change for us

[@Sidsnow1977]

You guys are absolutley awesome, the quality of your videos is utterly amazing, but what draws me back to you each time is you both as people, I'd watch you in 240p 😉

[@codyandvictoria]

❤️❤️❤️

[@KaiBallClimbing]

Really amazing film. Capturing the emotions and fear of a scary climb is so hard to do and you guys nailed it!

[@codyandvictoria]

Hey cheers to that! Thank you 🙏🏼

[@glowballfilms]

This is a very well made video!! Love the visuals, grading and storytelling. 🔥

[@bobdohr5033]

Really enjoyed the video. Stunning scenery, great storytelling, tight editing and kudos on the smart decision.

[@LucasUribe-x5u]

You guys are awesome Never change Thank you again for the information on Matthes crest that was a gnarly adventure and a huge hike, but totally worth it 😎

[@codyandvictoria]

Sweet! Glad you went for it!!

[@calcowie8219]

Great effort team! Was defo worth watching on the big screen this week. 🙌🏻

[@codyandvictoria]

Glad to hear it’s getting a proper viewing

[@MarcDwithaC]

Just watched your video with the Matterhorn in the background (at a hotel overlooking the campsite were you stayed). What a gorgeous town and scenic area to visit. Not a climber so enjoyed seeing what it takes to make this type of difficult ascent, kudus for not risking it when you ran out of time. I took the easy way up, Gornergrat railway. What spectacular views, thanks for sharing those breathtaking views from the mountain.

[@jasonescapes]

This video is just insane, like everything, the story, the filmmaking. I felt like more than in a movie, keep going. I'm really interested in your filmmaking especially the color grading, how do you grade colors, looks awesome:)

[@codyandvictoria]

Thanks Jason! Much respect. We’re definitely hoping to make more films like this so stay tuned. As for color - I tried out dehancer on this one with a custom lut on the back end. Took some tweaking but love it so far. Got a coupon in the description if you want to give it a try. More videos soon!

[@sergelucas2258]

I think starting mountaineering teaches a lot about what is success or failure. You made a very smart decision.

[@paulag.9339]

Thank you for always sharing your videos!!

[@ronaldpurvis4293]

I couldn't have done what you did afer hearing two climbers had just fallen to their death. You made the right decision to leave the Materhorn alive. even considering

[@valgoesoutdoors1505]

Sounds like a successful climb to me. You may not have reached the top but you had an epic day on the mountain and safely returned. Those views are out of this world. I would have shit my pants just looking at the Matterhorn knowing I’m gonna climb it. Gorgeous mountain but intimidating at the same time.

[@JREV123]

Your best video ever. Thank you. Exceptional editing and cinematography.

[@stickshifter8]

Great vid guys! Amazing!! Glad that you are responsible safe people and alive to do many more great videos like this! All good 👏👏

[@-zoe.cruz-]

An iconic mountain! I loved this video, I can tell a lot of effort went in to making this!!❤

[@codyandvictoria]

❤️❤️ worth it!

[@mannyevans]

I think this is your best video yet, congrats! Show us more stuff you guys did in Europe.

[@damon_t]

Great video and good decision to turn around and not risk anything! This year I successfully climbed the Matterhorn on July 30th, but I also saw some dangerous things and especially people risking everything. There have been so many deaths this year on the Matterhorn...

[@CaydenPurchase]

Best video yet ! Your storytelling was on another level this video 😍🔥

[@waifuharem4352]

Congrats on some big steps in your adventurer journeys. Going to Europe and getting into alpine is huge.

[@stephennorman5432]

The colour grading and story telling all works so well here, great film guys. New sub 🤝🏻

[@pattysmith9892]

I’m glad you both did not die. You both are amazing with everything you do. 😊

[@codyandvictoria]

Haha glad to be here replying to this comment.

[@Climbingdude]

Another great video. I have climbing friends that live there and can see The Matterhorn from their kitchen window I didn’t realize how deadly this mountain was. Glad you two bailed.

[@codyandvictoria]

Crazy place to live!

[@spencerzoppoth719]

This was really amazing! Thank you for bringing us with you on your adventures!

[@codyandvictoria]

🙏🏼

[@Kevin.Wandertales]

That opening shot bro ! What a beautiful banger ! Greetings from a fan from Switzerland 🙂

[@DannyGevirtz]

This is freakin awesome

[@codyandvictoria]

DANNY! 😭😭 We love you! Thanks so much 🙏🏼 Tell Anna we said hello and come visit sometime :)

[@roodood]

Just today in the news: two guys from Vietnam had to be rescued at 3500 in snowy conditions without air lifting capabilities. They were stuck, had inappropriate gear (not even climbing boots) and were pretty close to freezing to death.

[@brighamyates]

Great video!! A little bummed I knew the ending so early on in the video. We’ve all been in the spot where you call it to be better safe than sorry. We are all here for the journey not the result. This video more than others you’ve posted had a lot of explaining the result rather than enjoying the journey. Cheers and keep it up!!! 🎉

[@codyandvictoria]

Just trying to make a film - idk haha

[@brighamyates]

@@codyandvictoria it was great.

[@brighamyates]

@@codyandvictoria Sorry if I came off a little critical. I absolutely love your guys videos and this one was no different. Those videos are super hard to film and edit. Keep at it and hope you get more sponsors. I’m big into the outdoors hiking, and MTB and still haven’t found a great bag that can accomplish both all while carrying camera gear. Maybe that’s another video idea. Keep it at! 🔥

[@nancykaras6257]

Loved this one. Also, production quality is insane!!!

[@codyandvictoria]

🔥🥵

[@COFamilyAdventures]

Love it! Always important to know when its time to turn around.

[@jerrelmfajardo]

incredible video. I got a little emotional seeing that sunset. how incredibly lucky the both of you are.

[@codyandvictoria]

So beautiful up there!

[@drewandariel3015]

Loved every second of this video, what a video and story!!! You guys are awesome!

[@VitaWalkingTours]

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I was not expecting her to be this jacked lol

[@RobertKraProductions]

Your best Video so far, I love it 😍 keep up the good work!

[@nanocake]

this was so well put together! And the images! Wow :D thank you for this!

[@AreOle_photography]

True mountaineers know when to turn around👍a nice video!

[@FunFuerFelix]

Wow! What a beautiful video!

[@SkinnyWasHere]

I love the storytelling! I was on edge until the very end.

[@spennyblair]

This video is a masterpiece. Thank you for making it!

[@RuskinSeabrook]

Best film yet

[@monopolg2840]

Just WOW! Much love from Frankonia Germany!

[@PigLauncher3773]

Very impressive / brave, well done. My wife and I tried the hike to the Hornlihutte a couple of weeks ago. We turned back half way as we were going so slow we'd have missed the last cable car back to Zermatt. We are clearly not in your league.

[@robertpeters5278]

You did well to get so far. The nearest I got was Zermatt, snowed a lot so went rock climbing in Italy, which was the safe option.

[@Iwtbaf]

great lesson, very real and helpful way to look at climbing mountains.

[@itsblary]

Amazing video guys, so emotional, congratulations

[@codyandvictoria]

🙏🏼❤️

[@Linkswolfform]

Absolutely gorgeous cinematography. Feels like a full production outdoor film!

[@codyandvictoria]

Mission success ✅

[@marcr.7490]

Stunning cinematography. What Lens was this shot on?