Talk:Matterhorn

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Contents

[edit] Banner cloud

The Matterhorn is famous for its banner cloud. Anyone have a picture of it? Williamborg 05:07, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

As an external example of the sort of thing that Williamborg is looking for, see this picture. -- Solipsist 07:40, 23 June 2006 (UTC)
Lovely example. Now we need one we can post on the Wikipedia. Thanks - Williamborg 13:33, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Riffelsee

The gallery has some pics of Matterhorn reflected in the Riffelsee. What is Riffelsee - a lake or a river ? Couldn't find an article on it. Jay 08:22, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

A small lake, "See" being German for lake (cognate of English "sea"). Don't know that Riffelsee is itself articleworthy, probably best just to add "lake" in the caption. Stan 14:10, 6 November 2006 (UTC)
Thanks! Did that. Jay 01:42, 16 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Geology?

I have been surprised not to see here any geological references as to what the mountain is. Mountolive 04:15, 15 November 2006 (UTC)

Me, too. It would be interesting to have a section in the article about its formation and geological history. 206.53.197.12 (talk) 14:59, 29 March 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Horn

Article says

The mountain derives its name from the German word 'matt' (meaning valley or meadow) and the characteristic horn shape of its peak.

Actually, many mountains in Switzerland have their name ending in "horn" which simply means "peak", as explained by the very article cited as reference. So this is not due to the "characteristic" shape of its peak.

I've changed the text to include the meaning of 'horn'. Orpheus82 05:27, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Most familiar?

How is it the "most familiar" mountain in the European Alps? I think it's obvious that Mont Blanc is far more widely known.

Very few people outside Europe have heard of Mont Blanc, except perhaps as a brand of pen :-) , but I could show a pic of the Matterhorn to random people on the street of a different continent and they would recognize it. It would be cool to have a specific source to quote for familiarity, if such exists. Stan 01:17, 16 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "Scramble"

It is dangerously misleading to describe the ascent of the Matyterhorn's Hornli Ridge as a "scramble." It is a long climb on a high mountain with unstable rock and variable snow conditions. To climb it without guides needs both technical skill and general mountaineering competence, as well as fitness. It is a great experience for those competent to undertake it, but a death trap for others. User:BRENDAN JACKSON

A downside of the mountain infobox, which rates only technical difficulty. Anybody have any ideas about best way to fix? Stan 15:17, 8 January 2007 (UTC)
Fixed. Ericoides 13:29, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Gallery

I have mixed feelings about removing the gallery. Commons structure is evolving, and one can't really count on it always having a reader-friendly gallery with English-language captions. So there's some advantage to having a gallery here that includes worthwhile images (read: not every 10 degrees of rotation) that are not already in the article. Stan 06:02, 14 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Cultural and historical significance

I've moved the text below (by 198.179.142.6 from 15 February 2007)

'For the Swiss the Matterhorn is a symbol of her proud heritage. To those outside Switzerland the mountain is the wall which separates. To those in Switzerland it is the guard post which guards Switzerland against incursions. There are a variety of stories and legends associated with the mountain (elaborate).'

to this page from the main article as it is vague, unreferenced, slightly inaccurate and not encyclopedic. It is, however, an aspect of the Matterhorn that is worth pursuing. Ericoides 07:11, 16 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Image

I have a nice image of the Matterhorn which I have just uploaded, it could however do with a quick crop but it may be article worthy when that is done. Bfp (talk) 23:49, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Cultural references

Do we really need this section the only part that seems worthy of inclusion is the Disney ride and that could be covered in it's own section. Sections like this are one of the major downfalls of WP.

Ridernyc 19:58, 27 August 2007 (UTC)