More regular visitors may have noticed that one of the services we offer is Mountaineering Holidays in Zermatt.
On Weimeiss
Owner of Matterhorn Chalets, Ed Mannix, has been a keen climber for years. We spoke to him about his experiences of mountaineering in Zermatt:
I used to do a lot of climbing every summer but with work and other demands, I haven’t done much over the last couple of years.
However, for the last four years, I have made it a policy to go up Breithorn, usually on skis, at least once a month every month of the year. Some months I might do it just once and others, I might do it ten times. A couple of years ago in the spring, I did it five times in the same week!
Then are some months (although not many) when I miss out completely, generally because of bad weather or in the case of last April, because of my broken ribs! Even though it still hurt a bit, I did however manage to get in an ascent late in May and with any luck, I’ll do one next week before the end of June.
I’ve climbed a good number of the 4000m peaks around the Zermatt and the Alps in general, either on foot, skis with skins or both. That list includes Castor, Pollux, Lyskamm, Monte Rosa, Rimpfischorn, Strahlhorn, Weismeiss, Alphubel, Obergarbelhorn, Matterhorn, Grand Combin, Mont Blanc as well as various less well known, but nonetheless entertaining peaks around the Vanoise, Mont Blanc, Lower Valais and Zermatt areas.
I also used to do a fair amount of crag climbing but unfortunately, because of the arthritis in my shoulders, this became increasingly difficult and required a ridiculous amount of Ibuprofen. I’m not too bothered as I have always preferred the high altitude big mountain stuff on mixed terrain (snow/ice and rock).
This summer I’m planning to do more mountaineering than the last few years, now I have my injury out of the way.
For details of accommodation in Zermatt or mountaineering holidays in summer in Zermatt, please contact Ed with your requirements.
