Devil of the Matterhorn

In the 1860s, two men attempt to climb to the top of the Matterhorn, the highest mountain in the Swiss Alps. Though competitors, with each seeking to be the first to climb the mountain, English adventurer Edward Whymper and local boy, Tony, are also comrades in this assault on nature. When Edward falls a short distance, injuring himself, Tony ends his climb and assists Edward back down the mountain, where the Englishman is treated for broken ribs and an injured arm. The village holds a celebration for the two adventurers, both of whom vow to attempt the climb once again. On 13 July 1865, two groups once more attempt an assault on the mountain. Whymper leads one group of seven men, which includes Lord Francis Douglas and Reverend Charles Hudson. Tony leads another expedition of ten, which attempts to climb the mountain from another side. While Whymper's party reaches the 14,000 foot mark on the eastern side, Tony's group is 13,000 feet up, the highest ever attained on their side of the mountain. With Whymper's group only 800 feet from the top, they signal "Hello" to Tony's group. At that moment, an avalanche of rock and snow breaks loose over Tony's group, nearly killing all. Though they survive this attack of nature, they are forced to turn back. After conquering the mountain, Whymper's party begins their dissent, which is just as dangerous as their assent. A rope breaks, and four members of the group plunge to their death into a glacier 4,000 feet below. As Whymper looks down at his fallen comrades, he sees a vision of Christ on the cross. Back in the village, Tony congratulates Whymper on his successful climb, but ecstasy turns to sadness, as both think back on the four lost lives. When they wonder why the rope broke, an old woman tells them it was "The Devil's Rope," and that the demon of the mountain was at fault. With that, the Matterhorn turns into an image of the Devil, laughing at his latest ploy.