- The Matterhorn
In early summer of 1991 I travelled to Switzerland to climb the Matterhorn. I arrived early to avoid the busy season. However, this was to be my undoing. The arrival coincided with a return to winter conditions. It must have been an unusual summer because all the alpine gardens were in flower when I arrived. A couple of days later the flora was all frozen solid.
In spite of the less than perfect conditions I made an attempt to climb the mountain. On two occasions I was nearly swept off when the fresh snow decided to exit into the valley. The second time, I decided that I should abandon the climb.
I didn’t even make the Hornli Hut, which is the first staging post before the mountain proper.
I still have unfinished business with this mountain.