An old favourite of the Matterhorn which at 4478m (14,692 ft) is one of the highest ...

... mountains in Europe. The shot was taken from Zermatt, which sits at 1620m (5,310 ft), way back in December 2001 on Fuji Velvia slide film. The mountain was the focus of the mountaineering world for much of the 19th century with the first ascent of the Matterhorn finally being completed in 1865 by a team led by Edward Whymper. While the summit was reached successfully it ended disastrously when four of its members fell to their deaths on the descent. It is estimated that over 500 alpinists have met their fate on the Matterhorn since the first climb in 1865, making it one of the deadliest peaks in the world. The climbers graveyard in Zermatt is a sobering place and a must visit for every aspiring mountaineer. The Matterhorn has become an iconic symbol of Switzerland and the Alps, and for many instantly brings to mind sitting in a cabin in the snow with a hot drink and some chocolate followed by fondue or swiss raclette. Canton of Valais, Switzerland

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