Chamonix has long been associated with mountaineering and ‘Alpinism’ and 1865 was a particularly significant year.
From a village to a resort
In 1865 Chamonix was still a little village, but change was in the air. With access to the resort improving, new hotels were opening for the tourists who came to the valley to view the fashionable mountains and glaciers.
A number of mountaineering enthusiasts spent their summer holidays in the Alps, conquering summits, discovering passes, mapping and illustrating their activities along the way.
The Golden Age of Alpinism
That year there were 65 first ascents in the Alps, including the Matterhorn in Zermatt, and seven peaks in the Mont Blanc Massif including the Aiguille Verte and the Grandes Jorasses.
This summer – on the 150th anniversary – Chamonix will be celebrating these achievements. From June to September, the resort has an exhibition and activities to commemorate the Alpinists of the Golden Age.
The exhibition gives an insight into the orginal Alpinists
This video explains more, plus the celebrations have their own Facebook page you can follow:
Article by Iain Martin