Edward Whymper was part of the dawn of Britain’s exploration of the world, joining David Livingstone, Leslie Stephen, Richard Burton and other members of the newly founded Royal Geographical Society, and Alpine Club.
As Britain’s reach over the far-flung parts of the world grew so did the interest in exploring the earth’s remotest corners. When Whymper set out from Zermatt for the summit of the Matterhorn on 14 July 1865 on his ninth attempt, British explorers had enjoyed an uninterrupted winning streak of luck. That day would mark the end.
Of the seven of his team, only Whymper and two Swiss guides would return alive. Whymper’s team beat an Italian team exploring the same new approach and couldn’t believe their luck that it led so easily to the summit. Once there they pelted the Italians who ‘turned and fled’. Disaster struck Whymper on the way down, however and the mysterious circumstances of the death of the three Brits – a heartthrob, an aristocrat and a nineteen year old – spread like wildfire around the world. It made Whymper’s and Zermatt’s names world famous and Whymper’s book on the ascent an instant classic.