Dunantspitze, Alpine summit in Valais, Switzerland
Dunantspitze rises to 4632 meters within the Monte Rosa massif and is Switzerland's second highest peak after Pointe Dufour. The mountain features steep slopes and ridges that characterize high alpine terrain, accessible through established mountaineering routes during the warmer months.
The first ascent took place on September 1, 1854, when Christopher Smyth, James Grenville Smyth, and Edmund Smyth reached the summit before climbing Pointe Dufour. Originally called Ostspitze, the peak received its current name more than a century later.
The peak was renamed in 2014 to honor Henri Dunant, founder of the International Red Cross, recognizing his humanitarian legacy. This naming choice links the mountain to a significant movement for human rights and aid.
The western ridge provides the main route to the summit and is most accessible during summer months when conditions are favorable. Climbers should prepare for extreme altitude, rapid weather changes, and sections requiring solid mountaineering skills.
The altitude difference between this peak and Pointe Dufour measures less than two meters, long creating doubt about their exact ranking. This minimal gap complicated early measurements and left uncertainty about which summit actually stands higher.
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