Matterhorn: July 1994 Poem by Sheena Blackhall

The mountain overlooks the town ofZermatt
It is one of the deadliest peaks in the world
It is a four faced pyramid
Icey, steep, skirted by glaciers
It is isolated, prone to banner cloud formations

The climb was long and arduous,
We had our ropes and crampons

There is always the fear of rock-fall
Avalanche, altitude sickness,
Stepping off into dangerous crevasses

We stayed at the Hörnli Hut
Rising at 3.30 aminto a biting wind
Hoping to reach the summit

The Fates were against us
Storm whirled in
Visibility was zero
Winds were violent
Whiteout conditions
And battling disappointment
We turned back

Why do it?
When people ask us Why,
We say, Why Not?