# My First Scramble on the Matterhorn explained — Scrambles Amongst the Alps in the Years 1860–69 > Chapter companion for Scrambles Amongst the Alps in the Years 1860–69 by Edward Whymper. ## What happens Whymper describes his first encounter with the Matterhorn, its imposing appearance, local superstitions, and the history of early attempts to climb it, including those by the Parker brothers, Mr. Vaughan Hawkins, and Professor Tyndall. He also recounts his own initial efforts to hire guides in Val Tournanche and his meeting with Jean-Antoine Carrel. ## Themes in this chapter ### Exploration and Discovery Whymper details the early attempts to conquer the Matterhorn, highlighting the spirit of exploration and the unknown. ### Cultural Encounters and Superstition Describes local beliefs about spirits and demons on the Matterhorn, contrasting with rational mountaineering ambitions. ### Danger and Mortality References the perilous nature of the mountain and the fate of guide J. J. Bennen, who later died in an avalanche. ### Human vs. Nature The Matterhorn's formidable cliffs and the repeated failures of climbers illustrate the struggle against a powerful natural force. ## Character check-ins ### Edward Whymper Narrator and aspiring mountaineer, describes his first impressions of the Matterhorn and his search for guides. ### Jean-Antoine Carrel Recommended as the best guide in Val Tournanche; Whymper negotiates with him but fails to reach an agreement. ### Professor Tyndall Mentioned as being at Breuil with intentions to attempt the Matterhorn; participated in Hawkins' expedition. ### J. J. Bennen Guide for Mr. Hawkins' attempt; described as skilled but imprudent, later perished on the Haut de Cry. ### Mr. Vaughan Hawkins Led an attempt on the Matterhorn in 1860 via the southwest ridge, accompanied by Bennen, Tyndall, and J. J. Carrel. ### J. J. Carrel Participated in early attempts and in Hawkins' 1860 expedition; stopped short of the summit. ### Sandbach Parker One of the Parker brothers who attempted the Matterhorn from the eastern face in 1860 without guides. ### Abbé Gorret Mentioned as one of the early chasseurs from Val Tournanche who attempted the Matterhorn in 1858–59. ## Key lines > What power must have been required to shatter and to sweep away the missing parts of this pyramid; for we do not see it surrounded by heaps of fragments; one only sees other peaks—themselves rooted to the ground—whose sides, equally rent, indicate an immense mass of debris, of which we do not see any trace in the neighbourhood. De Saussure marvels at the immense force needed to break apart the Matterhorn, noting that the debris is not nearby but has filled distant valleys. _Opening epigraph sets a geological and awe-inspired tone._ > There seemed to be a cordon drawn around it, up to which one might go, but no farther. Within that invisible line gins and effreets were supposed to exist—the Wandering Jew and the spirits of the damned. Locals believed an invisible boundary surrounded the Matterhorn, beyond which supernatural beings and cursed spirits dwelt. _Illustrates the superstitions that deterred early climbers._ > He was a man of large proportions; and, although in acquiring him I did not obtain exactly what was wanted, his late employers did exactly what they wanted, for I incurred the responsibility, without being aware of it, of paying his back fare. Whymper hired a large guide but was tricked into paying the man's travel expenses from his previous job. _Shows Whymper's early frustration with guides and their deceptions._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/iv-my-first-scramble-on-the-matterhorn - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters