Who led the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865?

Edward Whymper led the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865.

Whymper and his seven-person team reached the summit on 14 July 1865, climbing from the Swiss side. The expedition ended in tragedy when four members died during the descent after a rope broke. Whymper survived along with three companions.

The Matterhorn rises to 4,478 metres on the Switzerland–Italy border. Its sharply pyramidal profile made it one of the last major Alpine peaks to be climbed, despite being lower than many surrounding mountains.

Italian climber Jean-Antoine Carrel reached the summit three days later from the Italian side. Because Carrel was Whymper’s rival during the race to the top, accounts of the first ascent often mention both men, but Whymper’s party made the first successful ascent.