| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
| Breithorn | |
|---|---|
The Breithorn as seen from the Klein Matterhorn | |
| Elevation: | 4,164 metres (13,661 feet) |
| Latitude: | 45° 56′ N |
| Longitude: | 7° 44′ E |
| Location: | Switzerland- Italy |
| Range: | Pennine Alps |
| First ascent: | 1813 |
| Easiest route: | basic glacier/snow climb |
The Breithorn is a mountain in the Alps, considered the easiest 4,000 m peak to climb in the Alps. This is due to the Klein Matterhorn cable car which takes climbers to over 3,870 m (12,700 ft) for a starting point. The standard route (SSW flank) continues over a glacialA glacier is a large, long-lasting river of ice that is formed on land and moves in response to gravity. Equivalently, it is a multi-year ice accretion in mountainous terrain. The glacier fringe is the area where the glacier has recently melted. There are plateau before climbing to the summit on a 35 degree snow slope. However, inexperienced mountaineers may run into severe difficulty if caution is not taken near corniceA cornice is an overhanging edge of snow on a ridge or the crest of a mountain which are built up by drifting snow. Cornices are extremely dangerous and should never be walked without adequate protection, or if other options are either not available or ars or in bad weather. For experienced climbers wanting more of a challenge, the half traverse of the Breithorn crest is another option.
The Breithorn was first climbed in 1813 by Henry Maynard , Joseph-Marie Couttet , Jean Gras , Jean-Baptiste Erin and Jean-Jacques Erin .