Scottish 11 year old becomes youngest to climb the Matterhorn

Jules Molyneaux from Crieff, Perthshire (Scottish Gaelic: Craoibh, Siorrachd Pheairt), a pupil at Ardvreck school, has become the youngest person to climb the Matterhorn. The 11 year old undertook the climb with his father Chris. The mountain is in the Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy. It is 14,692 feet (4,478 metres) high and is one of the highest summits in the Alps and Europe. The Matterhorn is considered to be one of the most dangerous peaks in the World. A fact sadly confirmed on the day that Jules and Chris Molyneaux made the climb, when one of ten people also climbing the mountain that day was killed. It was necessary for Jules and Chris to prove themselves with local guides before they were allowed to attempt to climb the Matterhorn.

Climbing the Matterhorn continues to be a major challenge for mountaineers. Over 500 have known to have died while climbing the mountain. The first ascent of the Matterhorn was made on 14 July 1865 by Edward Whymper, Francis Douglas, Charles Hudson, Douglas Hadow, Michel Croz, and two Zermatt guides, Peter Taugwalder and his son of the same name. Tragically Francis Douglas, Charles Hudson, Douglas Hadow and Michel Croz were killed on the descent. Nowadays, all ridges and faces of the Matterhorn have been ascended in all seasons. In total, up to 150 climbers attempt the Matterhorn each day during summer. However, it remains a difficult climb and a number of fatalities can take place on the mountain each year.

Image above: Peak of the Matterhorn, seen from Zermatt, Switzerland.

Image below: Jules and Chris Molyneaux climbing Matterhorn courtesy BBC Scotland.