Magic Matterhorn

There are many peaks in the Alps, but only a few have such enormous charisma as the Matterhorn. As a ‘flying photographer’ I couldn't let go of the dream of circling above this giant with a paraglider in the right light! When I told Michi Maurer about the idea, the Swiss pilot was immediately convinced: “If you want to try it, count me in!”

In order to capture the mountain giant in the best light, we would have to take off early in the morning. We could not expect thermals this early, so needed paramotor power as a climbing aid. A basic question remained – would we even be able to climb to over 4,500 m with the paramotor? We carried out test flights and made numerous improvements to find the best set-up. In addition, we took portable oxygen, because going to such an altitude without acclimatisation can lead to altitude sickness.

Finding the right weather window was the biggest challenge. With only a 14 HP paramotor we had to reach more than 4,000 metres of altitude. This would only MAGIC work with help from the right wind against the mountainside. Countless hours passed in front of isobar charts and wind forecasts until, after three months, a mighty Azores high pressure system appeared, bringing with it the wind conditions we needed. Light south-easterly wind up to over 4,500 metres and around minus 23 degrees temperature – perfect conditions for our project

Paramotoring is not allowed in Switzerland. This made our project more difficult and considerably lengthened the flight to reach the mountaintop. The Matterhorn lies on the Swiss/Italian border, so we decided to set off from the Aosta valley. We found a suitable take-off near Saint Vincent. Just after 7 am it was time to go. With full tanks and three layers of clothing our take-off run was quite something, and lifting off gave us such feelings of joy and relief, just to be in the air. With purring motors we crept upwards.

Quite suddenly, as we flew over the first foothill, the Matterhorn rose in front of us like an ice and snow giant. I could not breathe for a moment. In this instant I had been presented with the enormity and appeal of the mountain that I had been dreaming about for years. At the same moment, Melanie and Michael positioned themselves in front of the still-distant mountain giant, and I took the first picture – a mystical entry into the world of rock, ice and snow.

The peaks all around us were over 3,000 metres high and we felt very small in this mighty mountain world. The wind helped us as planned, and we climbed the steep rock faces of Punta Budden and Punta Lioy along the Italian/Swiss border towards the magic 4,000 metre mark. One eye on the camera viewfinder, the other on the GPS map to keep an eye on our position and avoid entering Swiss airspace.

The view was overwhelming. The whole Monte Rosa area with the highest peaks in Switzerland were spread out in front of us. The Breithorn (4,164 m) and the Dufourspitze (4,634 m) shone in the backlight. I took one picture after another and suddenly we were above the summit of the Matterhorn. The dream had come true! The altimeter showed 4,525 metres – we had made it. The air was icy, but without any turbulence. We enjoyed the moment in complete silence as the three of us glided over the summit. The view at this time of day and at this altitude was almost limitless. In that magical moment I thought of the famous words of Walt Disney: “If you can dream it, you can do it!”