12 replies to this topic

[KurtVerbose]

Be sure to stop off at the Solvey Hut on your way down the Matterhorn.







Funny, I've been there many times but had no idea it existed. Must've been skiing too fast to notice it.

[Goosenka]

fcuk that. It's not exactly accessible to the average red run lover

[Nev]

Been there many many years ago when I tried to climb the mountain - my first 4000er. Have also toured for 8 days non stop from Chamonix to Zermat, passing it's north face which is just as impressive from underneath. The toilet at the Solvay hut is indescribably smelly, even worse than the one I went to in Tunisia (which is really saying something!). The hut itself is only for emergencies (not meant to plan sleeping in it over night).

Edited by Nev, 26 March 2013 - 09:17 PM.

[Seb.F]

Used to go to Cervinia/Zermatt a lot but never knew about that!

[KurtVerbose]

In all truth I'm terrified of heights. When I first came to Switzerland walking over a bridge made me nervous, which seems rediculous now as I've got a lot better. I can ski down any piste - ok, badly ski down any piste, but it's taken many years of getting used to it. I know that I would never be able to go up the Matterhorn though. Just watching this video nearly made me poo my pants.

[Goosenka]

Why did I just watch that

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

fcuking nutters

[Nev]

It's actually considered only a moderately easy mountain by Alpine standards. There are only 2 pitches (roped up sections) of easy difficulty on it. The hardest thing is simply the amount of non-stop slog to up and down it in daylight hours. There is a lot of objective danger from rockfalls. Whilst I was on it there were numerous falling lumps from the size of oranges to fridges falling down it... One hit from even a rock even as small as an orange can be life threatening. :o/

Local people take their dogs up it for a walk - no exaduration! (thought it is rare).

I have some pics of me climbing here if anyone is interested.

Edited by Nev, 26 March 2013 - 11:15 PM.

[Goosenka]

Bloody hell Nev. Never realised you were such a danger man although dissapointed that there was a lack of Christmas jumpers.

[KurtVerbose]

A friend of mine climbed up it with a guide. He said it wasn't that difficult - just hard work. But if you slipped you'd fall a very long way.

[chrisgold]

Be sure to stop off at the Solvey Hut on your way down the Matterhorn.







Funny, I've been there many times but had no idea it existed. Must've been skiing too fast to notice it.

If you cant get there in ski boots and touring bindings then I am not interested, Will only hike up what I can ski down! I am qualified to take groups do do this (BASI ISIA Teacher - working on my ISTD)

Cool little place for a hut tho, I winder how they got the bits up there, hope they didnt cheat and use a helicopter

[KurtVerbose]

Will only hike up what I can ski down!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2QUlzTynbI

[Nev]

Bloody hell Nev. Never realised you were such a danger man although dissapointed that there was a lack of Christmas jumpers.

I had a wonderful selection of jumpers in those days too, my speciality was a pair of favourite courduroys held up with a frayed rope belt. My girlfriend at the time hated them, though I couldn't see her point as I thought they added to my rugged appearance