# Renewed Attempts to Ascend 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

In 1862, multiple attempts to climb the Matterhorn are described, including Mr. T. S. Kennedy's winter ascent from Zermatt, Professor Tyndall's reconnaissance and subsequent failure from the south, and the author's own solo reconnaissance on the southwest ridge. The chapter details the challenges of weather, rock conditions, and the psychological toll of repeated defeats, culminating in the author's solitary climb to a record height before retreating.

## Themes in this chapter

### Conquest and Perseverance

The chapter repeatedly emphasizes the theme of persistence in the face of failure, as multiple climbers try again despite harsh conditions and previous defeats.

### Danger and Mortality

The descriptions of wind, ice, and unstable rock highlight the constant physical danger faced by climbers, as well as the psychological impact of near-death experiences.

### Scientific Observation

Whymper's detailed observations of rock quality, frost effects, and snow conditions reflect a scientific approach to mountaineering.

## Character check-ins

### Edward Whymper

Narrator and climber; makes a solo reconnaissance on the southwest ridge, reaching a record height before turning back.

### T. S. Kennedy

Attempts a winter ascent of the Matterhorn from Zermatt in January 1862, building a cairn at 10,820 feet.

### Peter Perrn

Guide accompanying Kennedy on the winter attempt.

### Peter Taugwalder

Guide accompanying Kennedy on the winter attempt.

### Professor Tyndall

Described as having attempted the Matterhorn from Breuil in 1861; his guide Bennen reported the mountain too difficult.

### J. J. Bennen

Guide for Professor Tyndall; initially enthusiastic but later advised against the attempt.

### Reginald Macdonald

Companion of Whymper; agreed to join a renewed assault from the south.

### Jean-Antoine Carrel

Mentioned as part of the defeated party; hid his head after failure.

## Key lines

> The wind whirled up the snow and spiculae of ice into our faces like needles, and flat pieces of ice a foot in diameter, carried up from the glacier below, went flying past.

The wind blasted snow and ice needles into their faces, and large flat ice chunks from the glacier flew by.

_Describes the harsh winter conditions faced by Kennedy's party._

> I felt like a man whose grip had given way, and who was dropping through the air.

Tyndall felt a sudden loss of hope, as if falling through the air after losing his hold.

_Tyndall's reaction to Bennen's discouraging report._

> In the whole range of my Alpine experience I have seen nothing more striking than this desolate, ruined, and shattered ridge at the back of the Great Tower.

Whymper considers this ridge the most impressive example of frost's destructive power he has ever seen in the Alps.

_Whymper's awe at the geological effects on the Matterhorn._

## Links

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