The Val Tournanche—Direct Pass from Breuil to Zermatt (Breuiljoch)—Zermatt—Ascent of the Grand Tournalin explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Exploration and Discovery

  Whymper explores the Gouffre des Busserailles and the gorge below the Gorner Glacier, detailing their formation and features.

• Scientific Observation

  Detailed geological analysis of water erosion vs. glacial erosion, including descriptions of marmites, polished surfaces, and roches moutonnées.

• Human vs. Nature

  Carrel's daring descent into the gouffre and the construction of a plank path demonstrate human ingenuity against natural obstacles.

Characters to notice

• Edward Whymper

  Narrator and protagonist; describes his return to Breuil, crossing of the Breuiljoch, and ascent of the Grand Tournalin.

• Jean-Antoine Carrel

  Intrepid guide who descended into the Gouffre des Busserailles with the Maquignaz's; accompanied Whymper on walks near Zermatt.

• Jos. Maquignaz

  One of the Maquignaz's of Val Tournanche who helped lower Carrel into the gouffre and later descended himself.

• Daniel Maquignaz

  The other Maquignaz who assisted Carrel in the gouffre descent.

• Principal J. D. Forbes

  His notebook is cited regarding the Breuiljoch as the former pass between Val Tournanche and Zermatt.

• De Saussure

  Mentioned in comparison to the poor state of paths in Val Tournanche.

Key passages

• “In November 1865, the intrepid Carrel induced two trusty comrades—the Maquignaz’s of Val Tournanche—to lower him by a rope into the chasm and over the cataract.”

  Carrel, with the help of the Maquignaz brothers, was lowered into the chasm in November 1865.

  Highlights Carrel's courage and the collaborative effort to explore the gouffre.

• “I arrived at Breuil again after an absence of six days, well satisfied with my tour of the Matterhorn, which had been rendered very pleasant by the willingness of my guides, and by the kindliness of the natives.”

  Whymper returned to Breuil after six days, pleased with his Matterhorn tour thanks to his guides and the locals.

  Reflects Whymper's positive experience and gratitude toward his companions.

• “It is stated in one of the MS. notebooks of the late Principal J. D. Forbes, that this depression, now called the Breuiljoch, was formerly the pass between the Val Tournanche and Zermatt, and that it was abandoned for the Théodule in consequence of changes in the glaciers.”

  Forbes's notebook notes that the Breuiljoch was the old pass, replaced by the Théodule due to glacial shifts.

  Provides historical context for the route change.

• “I think that the grandest and the most satisfactory standpoints for viewing mountain scenery are those which are sufficiently elevated to give a feeling of depth, as well as of height, which are lofty enough to exhibit wide and varied views, but not so high as to sink everything to the level of the spectator.”

  Whymper argues that the best viewpoints are moderately high, offering depth and variety without flattening the landscape.

  Whymper's aesthetic philosophy on mountain viewing.