Breithorn

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For other places with the same name, see Breithorn (disambiguation).

Breithorn
The Breithorn as seen from the Klein Matterhorn
Elevation	4,164 metres (13,661 feet)
Location	Switzerland-Italy
Range	Pennine Alps
Prominence	429 m
Coordinates	45°56′28″N, 7°44′50″E
First ascent	1813
Easiest route	basic glacier/snow climb

The Breithorn is a mountain in the Alps, considered the most easily climbed 4,000 m Alpine peak. This is due to the Klein Matterhorn cable car which takes climbers to over 3,870 m (12,700 ft) for a starting point. The standard route (SSW flank) continues over a glacial plateau before climbing to the summit on a 35 degree snow slope. However, inexperienced mountaineers may run into severe difficulty if caution is not taken near cornices or in bad weather. For experienced climbers wanting more of a challenge, the half traverse of the Breithorn crest is another option.

The Breithorn was first climbed in 1813 by Henry Maynard, Joseph-Marie Couttet, Jean Gras, Jean-Baptiste Erin and Jean-Jacques Erin.