On July 14, 1865, a seven-member team of climbers made the first ascent to the top of the Matterhorn using ropes woven out of manila hemp, but only three lived to tell about it. As the group descended using the Hörnligrat route (the mountain's shoulder), one of the climbers slipped pulling three others down with him.

Yes, thousands of people have successfully summited the Matterhorn since its first ascent on July 14, 1865. That historic first climb was led by the English mountaineer Edward Whymper, who reached the peak via the Hörnli Ridge. However, the victory was marred by tragedy when four members of his seven-man party fell to their deaths during the descent. Today, the Matterhorn (4,478 meters) remains one of the most iconic and frequently climbed peaks in the world, with an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people attempting the summit each year during the summer season. Despite its popularity, it is a dangerous mountain requiring high technical skill and physical fitness; it is often cited as the deadliest peak in the Alps, with over 500 fatalities recorded since that first 1865 expedition. Climbers typically stay at the Hörnli Hut before making the final push to the summit, often hiring professional mountain guides to navigate the exposed ridges.