3-017-166 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Matterhorn, from a sketch by Mr. Edward Whymper, 1865. 'The Matterhorn forms part of the main ridge or backbone of the Pennine Alps, and stands at the head of the valley of Zermatt on one side and of the valley of Val Tournanche on the other. It is in height inferior only to five other peaks - viz., Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, the Mischabel, Lyskamm, and the Weisshorn, and is itself no less than 14,705 ft. high. In apparent height it is greater than any; and when viewed from the direction of Zermatt, from which the sketch we have engraved is taken, it is difficult to believe that it stands only sixth on the list of the peaks of the Alps...It is impossible to look on the Matterhorn without being impressed by its majesty and apparent inaccessibility: the boldest climbers have looked and longed, but have not dared to try to reach its summit. So entirely and hopelessly impregnable does it appear from a distance that scarcely anyone has approached to make a nearer survey, and it is, doubtless, on this account that it has hitherto remained unscaled'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865.