How to climb the Matterhorn

July 14th 2015 will be the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn by Edward Whymper and others. 

The Matterhorn is probably the most iconic mountain in the world, but it must not be underestimated. For a fit, acclimatised and skilled party, with good conditions, it is very doable. However, getting the perfect combination of weather, conditions, fitness and acclimitisation is tricky, and it takes preparation.  There was an excellent article about climbing the mountain in yesterday's Daily Telegraph:

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Crampon Review and Comparison

If you are looking for a general mountaineering crampon, then these three models are the best on the market. They are all well-designed, and tried and tested, so all my comments need to be seen as a comparison between good products. As a mountain guide of 20+ years experience I have used many different models of crampon, and seen the big effect that small differences can make.

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Mountaineering boots: La Sportiva Trango S Evo

This is a great all-round boot which has been on the market for many years – I like it so much that I have owned just about every different incarnation of it. It is marketed as a three-season Alpine boot, and it can be used at high altitude when conditions are not too cold – I used it on Mont Blanc this summer.

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