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Warmest June in 250 years halts Matterhorn climbers
12:45 p.m. EDT Jul 22, 2003
Last week a melt of permafrost that binds the Matterhorn rocks, triggered hundreds of cubic meter of landslide.
Ranking amongst top 10 on the mountain beauty pageant, Matterhorn attracts some 1200 climbers every year, out of which 10 to 20 perish. This actually makes Matterhorn deadlier than Everest.
Slides on Matterhorn are not uncommon, but the size of this slide and the obstruction of the route led to a major rescue operation, including air-lifts of 70 climbers from 3400m; the slide starting point.
Permafrost melt is a major concern not only to climbers, but also to Alpine village inhabitants. The Global warming of recent years has increased the risk.
Matterhorn 4418 m (14690 feet)
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