Hi-tech tents offer shelter to Matterhorn climbers

Alphorn blowers perform at the inauguration of 'Base Camp Matterhorn', a temporary camp at 2,880 metres for climbers of the Matterhorn Keystone

Zermatt has inaugurated “Base Camp MatterhornExternal link”, a temporary campsite that can accommodate up to 50 mountaineers during the 2014 season while the Hörnlihütte hut is closed for renovations.

Described as the “first pop-up hotel in the Alps”External link, the hi-tech camp located at 2,880 m at the foot of the Matterhorn, consists of 25 tent-shaped shelters made from aluminium and wood with each accommodating two people. 

The base camp is designed as somewhere mountaineers can stay while the Hörnlihütte, whose origins date back to 1880, is being renovated over the summer in time for next year’s 150^th anniversary.

July 15, 2015 marks the 150^th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn by British climber Edward Whymper – an event that is considered to represent the birth of alpinism and the start of tourism development in the Alps.

View into one of the 2-man wooden and aluminium tents at the Matterhorn Base Camp Keystone

While the Hörnlihütte is closed wild camping or bivouacking will be strictly prohibited in the Zermatt External linkarea. Zermatt’s municipal police will be patrolling the area to enforce the regulation.