Schreckhorn, Alpine mountain peak in Grindelwald, Switzerland.
Schreckhorn is an alpine summit in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland, rising between the Upper and Lower Grindelwald Glaciers. The mountain is defined by steep rock faces and narrow snow ridges that make it one of the most technical four-thousanders in the region.
The first recorded ascent of the Schreckhorn was made on August 16, 1861, led by the English writer and mountaineer Leslie Stephen together with local guides. That climb placed the peak among the major achievements of early alpine exploration.
The name Schreckhorn translates roughly as "peak of terror" in German, a reflection of the sheer rock walls and the difficulty of reaching the top. Among mountaineers, it is considered one of the most demanding summits in the Bernese Alps.
Three mountain huts serve as starting points for the ascent: the Schreckhorn Hut, the Gleckstein Hut, and the Lauteraar Hut. The summer months generally offer the most stable snow conditions, making it the recommended window for those planning to climb.
The Schreckhorn is the northernmost four-thousander in the Alps, which gives it a particular place among serious alpinists. Leslie Stephen, who led the first ascent, was the father of the writer Virginia Woolf.
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