Biner_Leseprobe

Preface
The Matterhorn – mystical, majestic, the mountain of all mountains. Its fascinating
and captivating nature eludes no one; neither locals nor guests.
The Matterhorn emits some kind of magical attraction, and a great many
dream of standing on top of this mountain at least once in their lives.
On July 14 of 1865, the Matterhorn was conquered for the first time. Four
of the seven men lost their lives in the attempt. Zermatt and the tragedy at
the Matterhorn resounded through the land; until this day, there is speculation
on how this terrible accident occurred. The rope used to tie Edward
Whymper, Taugwalder Senior and Taugwalder Junior to the rest of the
roped party broke in the descent; the remainder of said rope can be found
at the Matterhorn Museum, next to other relics of the first ascent.
The first ascent of the Mont Blanc in 1786 initiated the Golden Age of Alpinism.
This term is used to describe an era in which the highest and most
challenging alpine mountains were conquered systematically. The alpinists
of that time were usually scientists, lawyers or clergymen who took on the
formidable icy giants with the help of local mountain guides.
In the past years, several writings on early alpinism in Switzerland and other
European countries were published. While reference was usually made
to the mountain guides, virtually none of them are the protagonists in any
of the publications. This book intends to bridge that gap by telling their
story; it explains the importance of the mountain guides for the touristic
development in the region.
The information provided in this book is based on the research of numerous
historical documents. The author successfully reconciles and documents the
history of the mountain guides and the Zermatt Mountain Guides’ Association
and created a piece that is of immeasurable value to them.
Very special thanks go to our colleague and honorary member Hermann
Biner. It was his deep bond with the mountains and the mountain guides
that made this book possible in the first place.
Benedikt Perren, President of the Zermatt Mountain Guides’ Association
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