European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 20, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The matterhorn looms in nil its 14,701 foot glory. Tips for climbers by Mark Swearengen climbing the matterhorn. It s not something Yon do on. A whim. Thought and extensive preparation,.As Well As. Money Are required. A a a \ the Best advice May he simply not to try it a unless you really want to. If that s the Case you should have some experience in Rock climbing and the use of a crampons. / a a a a a ,. It s also important to be in Good physical condition to. Have the necessary climbing equipment and the Cash to. Pay for the trek with a guide. You la need to do some physical tra Imog during the a a. Months  head for , running and bicycling Are great for building the  Overall. G. Dor6 artist g. Dore shows the Fate of four of the seven men who first climbed the matterhorn in 1hg5. The four fell 4,000 feet Down the slopes to their deaths. Condition. A reasonable goal to ensure you re in shape for the matterhorn is  Able to run five Miles every a Day without difficulty. A. A. A add some pull ups. And push ups to your daily training and you la be on the right track. A a a.  the Mountain should be climbed Only in Goodweather. The Best conditions usually exist from mid july to mid september. During these months . Important to go on some major Mountain hikes making ascents of. 600 to 1,000 meters about logo feet to 3,300 Teet on each hike. This builds the climbing Muscles in the. Legs. Once you arrive in the Zermatt area four or five walking ascents of 1,000 meters each Are recommended before trying the matterhorn. They will put finishing. A a touches on your conditioning. If you can do some of this training above 4,000 meters 1.1,1 00 feet it will pay Olf later when you get into the thin air near  of the . Here s the recommended equipment. Climbing boots with stiff lug soles. Crampons Art need d above the Solvay Hivitte so the boots must tie Crampon compatible1 lightweight Long underwear. 1 Hick knee socks that give some Cushion to tie Teet and bund Hosen knickers. Or other durable climbing pants. A Wool or Cotton shirt. And a Light windbreaker.  Cotton shirt will give a you something dry to put on at the top but it s not must. A a i a v a climbing helmet is  Emmet used for Protection imm falling rocks.  without helmets and Wear stocking Caps or other kinds of hats but it s safer to toe the helmet. Small rocks kicked Down by other climbers Are Tanly common. A Small Headlamp is needed Lor climbing in the Early darkness. 1. Gloves similar to leather work gloves or Light ski gloves and a safely harness Are needed for the entire climb. An. Ice a is sometimes needed up on the High shoulder of the Mountain. A a a a a. Foi food and drink you need one or two sandwiches two or Throe chocolate bars a Tew Dextro sugar cubes and about two liners of lightly sweetened ton. Sunglasses Are also important. 1 Ake Sun Cream. Toothbrush some Basic first Aid items and toilet paper. A a Loo. A a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a Small camera is optional but it you Don t take one. You la be sorry. A. Quot safely  essential but it will be. Provided by the Mountain guide. A. A a a. A a so. A you la need a Small to medium Rucksack to Cany the.  a.1 ,. It s important to try out All this gear especially the boots Many times before you make  Way it there Are problems you can Correct them before they give you trouble on the Mountain. A c limbers walk to the first shoulder of the matterhorn., and spend the first night there in the i Intel Fiel Veneie which is connected to an Offler Mountain hut. Everyone. Refers to this Small Complex  the Hornli Hulle which is actually the Naine of the hot. A the rooms sleep1 about in people. A Leser Velmn is required. An overnight with evening meal and breakfast., costs about. 45 Swiss francs $67. Blankets Are provided. So you Don t need a sleeping bag  climbing the matterhorn dues not require a spec Ini. Permit Button t try in without a professional experienced guide. A. A. A. Quite a few  killed on the Mountain every. Year. Just visit the cemetery in Zermatt where you la see Row upon Row of tombstones commemorating those who perished on the matterhorn. A.  most accidents Are caused by climbing to bad weather and climbing Wilhour a guide it s easy to get  the. Mountain and this gets climbers in trouble an experienced guide will not get lost nor will he or she attempt to climb if the weather is not right. The Cost for a guide will he in the neighbourhood of 600. Swiss francs about. $367. T his includes his or her overnight in the hot nil Hutto. It the guide does not think you Are fit or experienced enough Tor the big t limb to will refuse to Lead you up the Mountain l in will probably1 suggest you do some training hikes m the Zermatt area preferably with a guide these can Cost from .100 to jog Swiss francs $65 to $ 145depending on hike. A. A a a destination and , participate in tire hike a be sure to take along enough Money to cover extra food and lodging m Case the weather forces you to stay. Longer in Zermatt while you wait Tor suitable climbing 1 conditions. -. A. 1 a a a a a �., guides can be arranged by contacting the  office i he address is . Ch-3920 Zermatt Switzerland i Telephone Switzerland a a 026-673456. A a a 1 a a a a a a a \. A a Good source of information on available guides 1 Christoph Krang Berg und ski Fuhrer or hot Schul Trasso 1 2b, 81 00 . Telephone 06621 -. 2736. 1 a. I a  a a a. Still a not tier is the mountaineering school at the armed forces recreation enter in. Gar Misc h. 1 tie. Addresses he arg a in mountaineering so Hoot Apo 09053. Telephone Germany 0662 1 -750591. V june 20, 7791 stripes Magazine b 5