Many California tourists have made a pilgrimage to Anaheim to visit Disneyland, the 53-year-old theme park that contains their version of Switzerland's Matterhorn Mountain. Unlike the actual peak, the worst parts about "climbing" Disney's Matterhorn are the long lines for the bathrooms and finding your car in the parking lot at the end of the day.

Rising 14,692 feet above sea level, the real Matterhorn is not as high as some of the other mountains that have earned a deadly reputation, but appearances, in this case, are deceiving. The first team to successfully reach the summit in 1865 lost four members during their descent, leaving only three climbers alive to tell the tale.

Breathtakingly beautiful but potentially lethal, the Matterhorn is so steep that climbing it does present a real challenge. In addition to lots of rope work, to reach the summit, you'll need to be as sure-footed as a mountain goat on some of the icier surfaces. These days, approximately 15 climbers die during their attempt on their way to the top or on the trip down. More than a thousand others find themselves in serious trouble and have to be rescued.

The Matterhorn definitely is not a climb for novices and, because of the real dangers involved, contracting with a guide service is highly recommended. The experienced staff provides guidance and training before you start your ascent, making their fees a good investment in your expedition.

Unlike some of the more inhospitable climbing destinations, the Matterhorn throws its towering shadow over Zermatt, a beautiful and welcoming little Swiss village. No matter if you are there to climb or to ski, Zermatt is a great place to visit, with churches, restaurants and a 9-hole golf course if you decide to bring your clubs along.

The one thing that you won't find in Zermatt is a gas-guzzling automobile. The village only allows green transportation, such as electric cars and sleighs. To get into Zermatt, you will have to take an environmentally-friendly bus or train.

If you can't resist the siren call of this mountain, make sure that you are equipped and fully-prepared to make this dangerous climb. This Matterhorn definitely isn't kid stuff.

Resources:

http://www.destination360.com/europe/switzerland/matterhorn.php
http://www.zermatt.ch/e/matterhorn/
http://www.climb.mountains.com/Classic_Peaks_files/European_Classics_files/Matterhorn.htm
http://www.ski-zermatt.com/mattnet/features/walking_guide/around_zermatt.html
http://www.zermatt.ch/index.e.html