Breithorn
| Breithorn | |
|---|---|
|
The north side of the Breithorn as seen from Gandegg | |
| Elevation | 4,164 m (13,661 ft) |
| Prominence | 433 m (1,421 ft)[1] |
| Isolation | 4.0 km (2.5 mi)[2] |
| Parent peak | Monte Rosa |
| Translation | broad peak/mountain[3] |
| Location | |
  Breithorn Location in the Alps | |
| Location |
Valais, Switzerland Aosta Valley, Italy |
| Range | Pennine Alps |
| Coordinates | 45°56′28″N 7°44′50″E / 45.94111°N 7.74722°ECoordinates: 45°56′28″N 7°44′50″E / 45.94111°N 7.74722°E |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1813 |
| Easiest route | Basic glacier/snow climb |
The Breithorn (from German: "broad peak/mountain"; 4,164 m) is a mountain of the Pennine Alps, located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. It lies on the main chain of the Alps, approximately halfway between the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa and east of the Theodul Pass. Most of the massif is glaciated and includes several subsidiary peaks, all located east of the main summit: the Central Breithorn, the Eastern Breithorn, the Breithornzwillinge and the Roccia Nera. The main summit is sometimes distinguished by the name Western Breithorn. The nearest settlements are Zermatt (Valais) and St-Jacques (Aosta Valley).
The Breithorn is considered the most easily climbed 4,000 m Alpine peak. This is due to the Klein Matterhorn cable car which takes climbers to over 3,820 m (12,700 ft) from Zermatt for a starting point. The standard route (SSW flank) is from the Italian side of the mountain (the south side) and continues over a glacial plateau before climbing to the summit on a 35 degree snow slope. However, inexperienced mountaineers may run into severe difficulty if caution is not taken near cornices or in bad weather. For experienced climbers wanting more of a challenge, the half traverse of the Breithorn crest is another option.
The Breithorn was first climbed in 1813 by Henry Maynard (climber), Joseph-Marie Couttet, Jean Gras, Jean-Baptiste Erin and Jean-Jacques Erin.
References
- ↑ Retrieved from the Swisstopo topographic maps. The key col is the Schwarztor (3,731 m).
- ↑ Retrieved from Google Earth. The nearest point of higher elevation is north of the Castor.
- ↑ Kev Reynolds, The Swiss Alps, Cycerone, 2014
External links
Media related to Breithorn at Wikimedia Commons
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