The Majestic Matterhorn

Newly Swissed published an entry anout the Matterhorn. Probably Switzerland's best known mountain and maybe even the world's best known mountain. I realized that although I visited Switzerland many, MANY times in my life, I've never seen this mountain up, close and personal. I've seen it from a distance, because it peak is very recognizable and viewable from France, Italy and many other places in Switzerland.

Here are some facts on this majestic mountain as well as two of my all time favourite pictures (the one above shot by Katarina and the one below by Verena Popp-Hackner)

• Matterhorn, the German name, is derived from the words Matte meaning "meadow" and horn meaning "peak"
• It is the tenth highest mountain in Switzerland, and one of 48 Swiss peaks above 4,000 m in height.
• The four faces of the Matterhorn face the four cardinal directions - north, east, south, and west.
• Over 500 people have died climbing the Matterhorn since 1865, many on the descent. Deaths due to falls, inexperience, bad judgement, bad weather and falling rocks average now about 12 annually.