Herve Barmasse and The Mountain of Mountains- The Matterhorn
July 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn– the renowned mountain in the Alps straddling the border between Italy and Switzerland which has captured imaginations of explorers around the world. In the countless narratives of fearless ambitions, earned successes, and heroic failures on the Matterhorn, Herve Barmasse, accomplished alpinist and mountaineer, plays an indispensible role. This is not just because Barmasse holds the record for making the most first ascents on the Matterhorn, but more so for his fascinating relationship with the mountain. To commemorate the Matterhorn’s anniversary, The North Face will be releasing a short film that deep dives into Barmasse’s relationship and fascination with the Mountain of Mountains.
Barmasse’s once said, “Like a fairy tale, the mountain belonged to me even before my birth.” His father, respected alpinist, Marco Barmasse, was leaving for a first winter ascent of the west face of the Matterhorn, when his mother was giving birth to him. Since then, the Matterhorn became Barmasse’s playground. Not even his father’s attempts to steer him away from dangers and risks posed by the mountains, could keep him off it. At the age of 22 Barmasse opened his first new route on the Matterhorn, and many more followed in the years to come.
At one point, Barmasse started travelling outside of his homestead in search of new challenges. Eventually he climbed his way through the world, making his mark by summiting untouched peaks in countries such as Pakistan, Nepal, Patagonia, and China. However, Matterhorn remains the mountain with the biggest draw for Barmasse. Year after year, Barmasse always returns to the Matterhorn for more. For him, it is the only mountain worth climbing more than once, with its vast number untouched routes and opportunities that challenge his strength, dexterity, skills, and creativity.
The short film about his obsession with the Matterhorn will be released on www.thenorthfacejournal.com on July 1st. On the gear end, FuseForm Orginator™ Jacket Herve wore on his recent expeditions to the Matterhorn is currently available for purchase on www.thenorthface.eu/tnf-eu-en/fuseform.
About The North Face®
The North Face®, a brand of VF Corp, was founded in 1966. Headquartered in Alameda, Calif., the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snowsport athletes, endurance athletes, and explorers. The company’s products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking, running, and snowsport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains.
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