Badenoch boy becomes youngster climber to scale world famous Matterhorn
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An 11-year-old Badenoch boy has set an astonishing record by becoming the youngest ever climber to conquer the world famous deadly Matterhorn.
Jules Molyneaux and dad Chris who tackled the iconic 4,478 metre (14,692 ft) peak in Switzerland together have just return home safely to Strathmashie, by Laggan, after reaching the summit last Wednesday.
It was the culmination of two hard years of training for the ascent of the peak which has claimed the lives of more than 500 mountaineers – the latest sadly being the same day that the father and son completed their feat.
Jules told the Strathy: ""It was an experience, definitely tiring and my legs felt like jelly after the climb. It was incredibly exciting and felt just like being on top of the world - that's how it looked!
Chris, (43), agreed: "We were looking down on the Alps, it was unbelievable. You just felt it was the top of the whole world.
"It really was a fantastic feeling."
He continued: "It's just amazing that two hard years of preparations on Creag Dhub, Creag Meagaidh and other heights here, climbing in snow and ice, have now finished in this triumph.
"I'm so proud of Jules and pleased for him.
"We had a wonderful climb with professional guides Bastien Speckle and Daniel Schliessteiner, and all we suffered was a few bruises on our legs.
"The conditions were quite tough, as there had been more snow than ever and there were also a lot of rock falls fairly near us but it was a wonderful climb all the same.
"It's great Jules has a certificate from the Matterhorn Museum (in Zermatt) confirming that he is the youngest climber who has ever stood on top of the peak."
The pair returned home earlier this week from their record-breaking expedition to the peak on the Swiss-Italian border and were catching up on some well-earned rest yesterday morning.
Chris and his wife Mignonne moved to the strath with their boys Louis (13) and Jules four years ago, to set up the multi-award winning Daffy's Gin operation at Strathmashie.
He said: "The great attraction is the hills and the fishing! Mignonne and Louis stayed here for the angling as Jules and I set off for assault in the Alps.
"Jules has shared my love of climbing since he could walk and it was more or less a whim of his a couple of years ago to attempt the Matterhorn.
"He attends Ardvreck School in Crieff, which is very strong on outdoor sports.
"He completed a school project about the mountain and after completing it he said to me 'You know, I'd really fancy climbing that mountain one day'.
Jules proudly carried his school flag up with him.
The youngster is not content with hitting the heights of the Matterhorn and has said the fearsome North Face of the Eiger could be next.
Another local mountaineering hero, Newtonmore-based Sandy Allan, holder of the coveted Piolet d'Or award for his ascent of Nanga Parbat's Mazeno Ridge (8,125m) in 2012, said it was an amazing achievement.
He said: "I just wanted to congratulate them. Like me, they love being here, surrounded by such beautiful hills which can set them up for any ascent in the world."
The Matterhorn, shaped like a pyramid, is the sixth highest peak in Europe. The first ascent was made by Edward Whymper and six companions on 14 July 1865 but ended in tragedy.
Upon descent, four of the party fell to their deaths on the Matterhorn Glacier.
There is an average of about 12 deaths each year on the peak.
