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1857… English alpine enthusiasts reach the summit of the Finsteraarhorn
and decide to found “The Alpine Club” on their return to London – the first mountaineering association in the world. Members swap their experiences of Switzerland.
Leslie Stephen, who made the first ascent of the Bietschhorn (1859), declares the high Alps the “Playground of Europe”. With his fellow club members he promotes mountaineering as a sport for gentlemen, setting a new trend. A geologist from Bern writes: “It is shameful, when readers in Switzerland... who wish to find out how to reach the glaciers and peaks are obliged to reach for the writings of the English Alpine Club.” In 1863 the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) is founded. The Swiss Alps are explored scientifically, and results published.
Today the SAC offers overnight accommodation in no less than 153 huts in the high mountains.
Leslie Stephen, who made the first ascent of the Bietschhorn (1859), declares the high Alps the “Playground of Europe”. With his fellow club members he promotes mountaineering as a sport for gentlemen, setting a new trend. A geologist from Bern writes: “It is shameful, when readers in Switzerland... who wish to find out how to reach the glaciers and peaks are obliged to reach for the writings of the English Alpine Club.” In 1863 the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) is founded. The Swiss Alps are explored scientifically, and results published.
Today the SAC offers overnight accommodation in no less than 153 huts in the high mountains.