Hornlihutte

Hornlihutte is the staging hut for climbers ascending the Matterhorn.  Instead of the relaxed sun-splashed patio party at Schunbiel Hut, we find a determined, base camp atmosphere at Hornlihutte.  Grizzled climbers in technical gear, check their equipment, and talk about different routes and conditions.  

From a distance, the hut seems to barely cling to a narrow ridge (pictured)

The Matterhorn may be a Disneyland ride -- and its name does not strike fear in one's heart like an Eiger or K-2, but as we begun the climb up its lower flanks, the mountain looms above us like Mount Doom in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.


The climb to Hornlihutte is truly spectacular -- stairs and ropes, sweeping views of surrounding mountains, and finally a steep series of switchbacks.

The Hornlihutte itself is not so impressive when we encounter it on this August 2013 afternoon - a major expansion is in progress - and the building is a mess of building equipment and porta-potties, and there is no room at the hut for us. 

We had been warned of the construction at Hornlihutte, and had booked space at a Hut back down in the real world -- Hotel Schwarzsee.