Loading Page...

Is Matterhorn the deadliest mountain in the world?

The Matterhorn is considered to be one of the world's most dangerous mountains. Since the first ascent in 1865, it's estimated that over 500 people have died while climbing or descending the Matterhorn.



People Also Ask

Nanga Parbat is notorious for being an extremely difficult climb, and has earned the nickname Killer Mountain for its high number of climber fatalities and pushing climbers to the test of their limits.

MORE DETAILS

According to the Himalayan database, at least 322 people have perished on Mount Everest since records began in 1922, averaging out to about 4.4 deaths per year and that number slowly ticks up each year. The first summit of the mountain was in 1953.

MORE DETAILS

The mountain most widely claimed to be the highest unclimbed mountain in the world in terms of elevation is Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 m, 24,840 ft). It is in Bhutan, on or near the border with China. In Bhutan, the climbing of mountains higher than 6,000 m (20,000 ft) has been prohibited since 1994.

MORE DETAILS

The Yeti is the main antagonist of the Disneyland attraction Matterhorn Bobsleds. It is a vicious monster that lives on the Matterhorn, attacking humans that dare to enter onto the mountain. Its vocal sound effects were provided by Frank Welker.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Matterhorn is not an easy climb. Both ascent and descent are technically and physically demanding, given the mixed terrain and high altitude weather conditions. Trails feature some very steep sections, covered with snow or ice, and there is the risk of rockfall.

MORE DETAILS

When looking at the 14 highest mountains above sea level worldwide, Annapurna I and K2 were the mountains with highest summit to death ratio, at 27.2 percent and 22.8 percent, respectively, as of May 2023.

MORE DETAILS

While gear lists and physical training are similar for climbing both peaks, K2 is widely considered a more technically challenging and dangerous mountain to climb than Everest.

MORE DETAILS