Character guide

Edward Whymper

major

Also known as myself, I, me, my, mine, the narrator

The author and narrator, a pioneering Victorian mountaineer who led the first ascent of the Matterhorn.

Jean-Antoine Carrel

major

Also known as Carrel, J.-A. Carrel, Antoine Carrel, the undaunted Carrel

A skilled Italian guide and Whymper's rival, central to the Matterhorn attempts.

Michel Croz

major

Also known as Michel Croz of Chamounix, Croz, the cautious Michel

A fearless Chamounix guide who accompanied Whymper on many climbs and died on the Matterhorn descent.

Christian Almer

supporting

Also known as Almer, Christian Almer of Grindelwald, Friend Christian Almer

A reliable Grindelwald guide who joined Whymper on several first ascents including the Grand Cornier.

Mr. Adams-Reilly

supporting

Also known as Mr. Reilly, Reilly, Mr. A. Adams-Reilly

A fellow mountaineer and companion on several expeditions including the ascent of Mont Pelvoux.

J. J. Bennen

supporting

Also known as Bennen

A guide who perished in an avalanche on the Haut de Cry, as recounted in the appendix.

Jean Reynaud

minor

Also known as M. Jean Reynaud, Reynaud, M. Reynaud

A French scientist and philosopher who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Pointe des Escandilles.

Professor Ramsay

minor

Also known as Professor, Professors Ramsay

A geologist who joined Whymper on the first passage of the Col de Pilatte.

Peter Taugwalder

supporting

Also known as old Peter Taugwalder, Taugwalder, Old Peter, young Peter, Peter Taugwalder junior

A Zermatt guide who was with Whymper on the first ascent of the Matterhorn and the subsequent tragedy.

Professor Tyndall

supporting

Also known as Tyndall, Dr. Tyndall, Prof. John Tyndall

A prominent physicist and mountaineer who made early attempts on the Matterhorn and other peaks.

Franz Biener

minor

Also known as Biener, Johann Biener of Zermatt

A Zermatt guide who accompanied Whymper on several climbs including the ascent of the Dent Blanche.

Sémiond

minor

Also known as Old Sémiond, old Sémiond

An elderly guide from the Val Tournanche who assisted Whymper on early Matterhorn attempts.

Joseph Brantschen

minor

Also known as Brantschen, Jos. Brantschen

A guide from Saas who accompanied Whymper on the first ascent of the Grand Cornier.

Rev. Charles Hudson

supporting

Also known as Rev. Charles Hudson, Hudson, Charles Hudson, Mr. Hudson

A clergyman and mountaineer who died in the Matterhorn accident while descending with Whymper's party.

Reginald Macdonald

minor

Also known as Macdonald, Reginald S. Macdonald, Mr. John Ball

A companion on the first passage of the Col de Triolet and other climbs.

T. S. Kennedy

minor

Also known as Mr. T. S. Kennedy of Leeds, Mr. Kennedy, Kennedy

A mountaineer who joined Whymper on the first ascent of the Ruinette and the Matterhorn attempt.

Luc Meynet

minor

Also known as one Luc Meynet, uncle Luc, little Luc Meynet, Meynet, good little Meynet

A cheerful young guide from the Val Tournanche who assisted on several Matterhorn attempts.

Jean B. Croz

minor

Also known as Croz, Poor B.

A guide and relative of Michel Croz who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Aiguille Verte.

Melchior Anderegg

minor

Also known as Melchior, 136 Melchior

A celebrated guide from Meiringen who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of Mont Dolent.

Alexandre Seiler

minor

Also known as M. Alexandre Seiler, Seiler, Monsieur Seiler, Monsieur Alex. Seiler

The hotelier in Zermatt who hosted Whymper and other mountaineers.

Lord Francis Douglas

supporting

Also known as Lord Francis, Lord F. Douglas, 356 Lord F. Douglas

A young nobleman who died in the Matterhorn accident while descending with Whymper's party.

Caesar Carrel

minor

Also known as Caesar, Carrel

A guide from the Val Tournanche who assisted on early Matterhorn attempts.

De Saussure

minor

Also known as the British De Saussure

An 18th-century naturalist and early mountaineer whose explorations are referenced in the book.

Mr. Hadow

supporting

Also known as Hadow, D. Hadow

A young Englishman who died in the Matterhorn accident while descending with Whymper's party.

J. J. Carrel

minor

Also known as Mr. Hawkins, Hawkins, the J. J. Carrel who had been with Mr. Hawkins

A guide related to Jean-Antoine Carrel who accompanied Mr. Hawkins on an earlier Matterhorn attempt.

Peter Perrn

minor

Also known as Perrn, old Peter

A guide from the Zermatt area who assisted on the first ascent of the Grand Cornier.

Signor F. Giordano

minor

Also known as Signor Giordano, Giordano

An Italian scientist who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Grandes Jorasses.

Mr. Craufurd Grove

minor

Also known as Mr. Grove, Mr. F. Craufurd Grove, Grove

A mountaineer who joined Whymper on the first passage of the Col Dolent.

Mr. Tuckett

minor

Also known as Mr. F. Tuckett, Tuckett

A fellow mountaineer who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Aiguille Verte.

Mr. Moore

minor

Also known as Moore, Mr. A. W. Moore, Messrs. A. W. Moore

A mountaineer who joined Whymper on the first passage of the Col de Talèfre.

Charles Gorret

minor

Also known as Gorret

A guide from the Val Tournanche who assisted on the first ascent of the Grandes Jorasses.

Principal J. D. Forbes

minor

Also known as Principal Forbes, Forbes, J. D. Forbes, the late Principal J. D. Forbes

A pioneering glaciologist and mountaineer whose work is frequently cited in the book.

Canon Carrel

minor

Also known as the late Canon Carrel, the Canon G. Carrel, Canon Carrel

A local clergyman and relative of the Carrel guides, mentioned in the Val Tournanche.

F. Rebot

minor

Also known as Rebot

A guide who accompanied Whymper on the first ascent of the Pointe des Escandilles.

Grattoni

minor

An Italian engineer involved in the Mont Cenis tunnel project, mentioned in the book.

Johann Kronig

minor

Also known as Kronig

A guide from Zermatt who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Dent Blanche.

Abbé Gorret

minor

Also known as the Abbé Gorret, The bold Abbé, the Abbé Amé Gorret, the Abbé

A local priest and mountaineer from the Val Tournanche who assisted on several climbs.

J. M. Lochmatter

minor

Also known as Joseph Marie Lochmatter, Lochmatter, Jos. Marie Lochmatter, Marie Lochmatter

A guide from Saas who accompanied Whymper on the first ascent of the Grand Cornier.

Horace Walker

minor

Also known as Walker, Mr. Horace Walker

A mountaineer who joined Whymper on the first ascent of the Grandes Jorasses.

Jos. Maquignaz

minor

Also known as Maquignaz, Joseph, the Maquignaz

A guide from the Val Tournanche who assisted on the first ascent of the Grandes Jorasses.

Daniel Maquignaz

minor

Also known as Daniel

A guide from the Val Tournanche who assisted on the first ascent of the Grandes Jorasses.

Mr. Mathews

minor

Also known as Mr. William Mathews, Mathews, Messrs. Mathews

A fellow mountaineer who accompanied Whymper on the first passage of the Col de Pilatte.

Jean Casimir Giraud

minor

Also known as Giraud

A French scientist who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Pointe des Escandilles.

Mr. Vaughan Hawkins

minor

Also known as Mr. Hawkins

An English mountaineer who made an early attempt on the Matterhorn with J. J. Carrel.

Captain Mieulet

minor

Also known as Mieulet

A French army officer who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of Mont Pelvoux.

Anton Ritz

minor

Also known as Ritz

A guide from Zermatt who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Dent Blanche.

Pession

minor

A guide from the Val Tournanche who assisted on early Matterhorn attempts.

Petrus

minor

Also known as J. Petrus

A guide who accompanied Whymper on the first ascent of the Grand Cornier.

M. Conte

minor

A French scientist who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Pointe des Escandilles.

Prof. Favre

minor

Also known as Favre, Professor Favre, the astute Favre

A geologist who accompanied Whymper on the first passage of the Col de Pilatte.

Professor Steenstrup

minor

A Danish naturalist whose theories on glacier formation are discussed in the book.

Agassiz

minor

A renowned naturalist and glaciologist whose work on glaciers is referenced.

Leslie Stephen

minor

Also known as Stephen, Mr. Leslie Stephen

A fellow mountaineer and writer who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Schreckhorn.

Sir Charles Lyell

minor

A prominent geologist whose theories on denudation are cited in the appendix.

J. B. Bich

minor

Also known as Bich

A guide from the Val Tournanche who assisted on early Matterhorn attempts.

L. Moser

minor

Also known as Moser of Taesch

A guide from Taesch who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Dent Blanche.

Sig. Guido Rey

minor

Also known as Sig. Rey, Sig

An Italian mountaineer and author who later wrote about the Matterhorn.

M. Elie de Beaumont

minor

Also known as M. de Beaumont

A French geologist whose work on the Alps is referenced in the book.

Joanne

minor

Also known as 161 M. Joanne

A French travel writer whose guidebooks are mentioned in the narrative.

Ulrich Lauener

minor

Also known as Lauener

A guide from Grindelwald who accompanied Professor Tyndall on Matterhorn attempts.

Franz Andermatten

minor

A guide from Saas who accompanied Whymper on the first ascent of the Grand Cornier.

Peter Knubel

minor

Also known as P. J. Knubel, J. Knubel

A guide from Zermatt who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Dent Blanche.

Mr. A. F. Mummery

minor

Also known as Mr. Mummery, A. F. Mummery

A later mountaineer whose ascents are mentioned in the appendix on the Matterhorn.

Alexander Burgener

minor

Also known as Alex. Burgener

A guide from Saas who accompanied Whymper on the first ascent of the Grand Cornier.

Mr. J. Baumann

minor

Also known as Mr. Baumann, Baumann, J. Baumann

A mountaineer who joined Whymper on the first ascent of the Grand Cornier.

Watson

minor

Also known as Dr. R. Spence Watson

A companion on the first passage of the Col de Triolet and other climbs.

Dr. Fodéré

minor

A French doctor whose writings on the Alps are referenced in the book.

M. Maus

minor

A Belgian engineer involved in the Mont Cenis tunnel project, mentioned in the book.

Sandbach Parker

minor

Also known as Mr. Sandbach Parker, Mr. Parker

A mountaineer who joined Whymper on the first ascent of the Grandes Jorasses.

Anton Walter

minor

Also known as The guide Walter, Walter

A guide from Zermatt who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Dent Blanche.

Mr. Bonney

minor

Also known as Bonney

A geologist and mountaineer who accompanied Whymper on the first passage of the Col de Pilatte.

Peter Rubi

minor

Also known as Rubi

A guide from Grindelwald who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Grand Cornier.

Victor Maquignaz

minor

Also known as Victor

A guide from the Val Tournanche who assisted on the first ascent of the Grandes Jorasses.

Mr. J. Glaisher

minor

Also known as Mr. Glaisher

A meteorologist and balloonist whose high-altitude observations are mentioned.

Mr. W. E. Davidson

minor

Also known as Mr. Davidson, Davidson

A mountaineer who joined Whymper on the first ascent of the Ruinette.

Germain Sommeiller

minor

Also known as Sommeiller, M. Sommeiller

An Italian engineer who designed the Mont Cenis tunnel, mentioned in the book.

Signor Sella

minor

Also known as Sella

An Italian photographer and mountaineer who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Grandes Jorasses.

Signor Leone Sinigaglia

minor

Also known as Signor Sinigaglia

An Italian mountaineer whose ascents are mentioned in the appendix on the Matterhorn.

Christian Lauener

minor

A guide from Grindelwald who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Grand Cornier.

J. Truffer

minor

Also known as P. Truffer, P. J. Truffer

A guide from Zermatt who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Dent Blanche.

Jos. Lauber

minor

Also known as Joseph Lauber, Lauber

A guide from Zermatt who accompanied Whymper on the ascent of the Dent Blanche.