Solo Ascents • Matterhorn North Face

The Matterhorn needs no introduction being one of the most renowned mountains in the world and the scene of both great achievement and tragedy in 1865 during its first ascent by Whymper. Its notorious North Face received its first ascent by the Schmidt brothers in 1931 and a more difficult line on the same face was made solo in the winter of 1965 over a six day period by the renowned Walter Bonatti. In 1994 , Catherine had already climbed two of the three most famous North Faces of the Alps, the Eiger and the Grandes Jorasses. The Matterhorn was the last one : in February 1994, she repeated the Bonatti route solo over four days during which time she lost her outer gloves but persevered to the top despite subzero temperatures.

Photos : Pascal TOURNAIRE

“ Personne depuis Bonatti n'avait osé défier la face nord du Cervin en solo. Une ascension diabolique. 29 ans après, une femme fragile signe l'exploit ” (Paris Match)

“ This four-day-climb was probably her most impressive alpine achievement. “Since Bonatti's first ascent nobody had done the Bonatti solo in winter. I didn't want to do the classic route of the North Face. I wanted something I was not sure I could do”.” (Rock'n Ice)

“ Woman solos up Matterhorn. Record-setting mountain climber Catherine Destivelle of France has completed the first solo winter climb by a woman up a treacherous route of the Matterhorn ” (Boston MA Globe)