The peak · IT · Pennine Alps
Pic Tyndall
4,241 m
Named after John Tyndall (1820–1893), the Irish physicist who reached this fore-summit of the Matterhorn's Italian ridge in 1862, three years before Whymper claimed the main summit.
Coordinates45.9719° N · 7.6586° E
UIAA rank№ 26 / 82
CountriesItaly
Normal gradeD · difficile
First ascent1862 · John Tyndall with J.J. Bennen and Anton Walter (Italian Lion ridge)
Typical seasonJuly to September
Southern shoulder of the Matterhorn on the Italian Lion ridge, named after physicist John Tyndall. Crossed during the Italian normal route ascent of the Matterhorn from the Carrel hut.
The Irish physicist John Tyndall reached this fore-summit on the Matterhorn's southwest (Lion) ridge in 1862, three years before Whymper finally took the main summit. Tyndall, who turned back at what he believed to be the impassable notch (the Enjambée) just short of the top, is remembered in the peak's name.
Summit · huts that serve as bases for routes on this peak
AD · assez difficile
Vertical / summit day1,700 m gain · 6h
A pronounced shoulder on the Italian (Lion) ridge of the Matterhorn rather than a separate ascent — almost always passed over on the way to the Matterhorn summit. From the Carrel hut the Italian normal climbs over the airy snow shoulder of Pic Tyndall (4241 m) before the final tower of the Matterhorn itself.
Sections
Breuil-Cervinia (2050 m)→Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi (2802 m)+752 m2h
Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi→Rifugio Carrel (3829 m)+1,027 m4h
Rifugio Carrel→Pic Tyndall (4241 m)+412 m3h
Huts on this route
- Rifugio Jean-Antoine Carrel3,829 m
- Rifugio Duca degli Abruzzi2,802 m