スイスの名峰との再会 Reunion with a Majestic Peak in Switzerland

変わらぬマッターホルンの魅力

スイスアルプスにマッターホルン（4478ｍ）という名峰がある。ピラミッドの形に似た美しい独立峰として世界的に有名だ。私は、３０歳の時、現地（ツェルマット）で初めてその威容に接し、以来、「マッターホルンの虜」になった。２０１２年には念願だった日本の名峰　富士山(3776ｍ)登頂を果たしたのだが、「もう一度、マッターホルンへ」という気持ちは揺らがなかった。

それから１４年、２０２６年６月、再びマッターホルンを訪ねる機会を得た。久しぶりに訪れたツェルマットの美しい街は、以前と変わらず行き交う人々で賑わっていた。
そして街並みの向こうに仰ぎ見た名峰は、威厳を漂わせながら再びその雄大な山容を現した。北西側（スネガ展望台）と東側（ゴルナーグラート展望台）で眺める角度が変わると、それぞれ印象が変わるのも味わい深い。
朝焼けに染まる山頂を眺めた時は、何とも言えない高揚感があった。また、リッフェル湖に映る「逆さマッターホルン」の姿やハイキングコース周辺に咲く美しい高山植物にも心を癒された。
今回の旅ではマッターホルンの他にベルニナ・アルプス（ピッツ・ベルニナ　4078ｍ）、ユングフラウそしてヨーロッパの最高峰モンブラン（4810ｍ）も訪ね、もちろん、それらの雄姿にも感動した。
私の「山好き」は、まだまだ終わりそうにない。

The Enduring Allure of the Matterhorn

There is a magnificent mountain in the Swiss Alps known as the Matterhorn (4,478 m). Famous throughout the world for its striking pyramidal shape, it stands as one of the most beautiful isolated peaks on Earth. I first encountered its majestic presence in Zermatt when I was thirty years old, and from that moment on, I became completely captivated by the Matterhorn. In 2012, I fulfilled a long-held dream by reaching the summit of Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji (3,776 m). Even then, however, my desire to return to the Matterhorn never faded.

Fourteen years later, in June 2026, I was finally given the opportunity to visit the Matterhorn once again. The charming town of Zermatt, which I had not seen for many years, was as lively as ever, bustling with visitors from around the world.

Beyond the townscape, the great peak revealed its magnificent silhouette once again, radiating the same timeless dignity that had left such a deep impression on me years before. The mountain presents remarkably different impressions depending on the viewpoint—whether seen from the northwest at the Sunnegga Viewpoint or from the east at the Gornergrat Viewpoint—and discovering these changing perspectives is part of its unique appeal.

Watching the summit glow in the morning light filled me with an indescribable sense of exhilaration. I was equally captivated by the famous “Mirror Matterhorn,” perfectly reflected in the tranquil waters of Riffelsee, and by the beautiful alpine flowers blooming along the hiking trails, which brought a profound sense of peace.

In addition to the Matterhorn, this journey also took me to the Bernina Alps, including Piz Bernina (4,078 m), the Jungfrau (4,158 m), and Mont Blanc (4,810 m), the highest mountain in Europe. Needless to say, I was deeply moved by the grandeur of each of these magnificent peaks.

It seems that my love of mountains is far from over.