At 8:30 AM on July 20th, Ashley, Daphne and I stood on the summit of the Matterhorn. Two days later, our friend and fourth climber Diana Mellon-who had to defer her big day due to a stomach virus, stood at the same place. Particular mention should also be made of Chris Mellon who, though unable to train and climb with us, also made the summit (with considerable speed!) on July 20th.

This blog and it’s sequel at http://climbingthematterhorn.blogspot.com/ are an attempt to describe in pictures the indescribable: our climb up the Matterhorn and the training days that preceded it. Click on any shot for the large version.

During all the climbs, taking pictures was not high on the list of skills our Swiss guides were attempting to instill in us. Quick shots were grabbed during the very few breaks afforded us and at the various summits. I have therefore on occasion gone outside our portfolio and borrowed pictures from other climbers of our exact routes. Not only will these shots “fill in the blanks,” but also impart to the visitor—however inadequately, some approximation of the experience. For it is impossible to capture either in words or in pictures the reality of what it is like to climb in the high alps.

I dedicate both blogs to our Swiss guides led by the incomparable Christoph Petrig, and ably assisted by his colleagues Benedict, Henri, Georg and Turbo. They were our friends, our coaches, they pushed us, they kept us safe, they taught us to believe, and they got us to the top.