First Ascent of the Matterhorn: Edward Whymper's 1865 Expedition

The first successful summit of the Matterhorn (4,478 m) was achieved on 14 July 1865 by a party of seven:

• Edward Whymper (UK)
• Charles Hudson (UK)
• Francis Douglas (UK)
• Douglas Hadow (UK)
• Michel Croz (France, guide)
• Peter Taugwalder Sr. (Switzerland, guide)
• Peter Taugwalder Jr. (Switzerland, guide)

Tragedy on Descent

Four members (Hudson, Douglas, Hadow, Croz) fell to their deaths when a rope broke. Whymper and the Taugwalders survived.

The ascent marked a milestone in alpine history and ended the “golden age of alpinism.”