IIL in Zermatt

A group of IIL students went to Zermatt to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn, from 10 to 12 September 2015. According to his/her pace and physical abilities, each student was able to discover the grandiose setting of this beautiful Valaisian resort and its mythical surroundings including Sunnega, Trift and Riffelsee with the Matterhorn’s image reflecting into its lake.

Twenty-one students participated in this event: 10 from the French and 11 from the English secondary sections. They were supervised by five IIL staff members: Mandarine Derolland, Sandrine Schenk, Beatrice LeFichoux Diego Schneider and Lotfi Ben Hamida. The latter, familiar with the area, designed the hiking programme.

Good humour, a fantastic spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance, assisted the students in getting through 3 days and 15 hours of walking and a vertical climb up to 2,500 meters.

Some students performed outstandingly, walking up 600 meters in 1 hour and 20 minutes on the first day (usual time: 2 hours) and demonstrating the agility of a chamois on the third day by descending 800 meters in 33 minutes.

Feedback following this excursion has been extremely positive, and students were remarkably punctual and respectful. Comments received from parents indicate that students are asking to return to the mountains again.

A full photo report is available on the ENT.