Dufourspitze (4,634 m. a. s. l.)

The Dufour peak is the highest summit in Switzerland and one of the nine main summits of the Monte Rosa Massif. It competes with the Dom, the highest mountain located entirely on Swiss soil. The 150 year anniversary was celebrated in 2005: Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss, together with Zermatt mountain guides who were descendants from the first conquerors of the mountain, climbed from the old Monte Rosa cabin to the peak in a seven hour tour. There he met up with the Italian minister of agriculture Giovanni Alemanno. 

Origins of the name
The name Gornerhorn and Höchste Spitze (highest peak) were the common names for the Dufour peak until the forties of the last century. The eponym was the Austrian general and topographer Ludwig von Welden. Based on the accomplishments of General Dufour regarding cartography, the Federal Council decided in 1863 on application of renowned alpinists and SAC-members to rename the mountain Dufourspitze (Dufour peak).

History/Legend
General Guillaume-Henri Dufour not only rendered outstanding services in terms of cartography with his Dufour map. The work was created from 1845 – 1865, earned worldwide recognition and was consecrated at the Paris world fair in 1855. Dufour achieved eminence during the Swiss Civil War, the last war fought on Swiss soil (1847) which lasted only 27 days, by making humanitarian principles of warfare a maxim. Dufour was a co-founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross. 

Elevation	4,634 m. a. s. l.
First ascent	1 August 1855
First conquerors	Charles Hudson, John Birbeck, Christopher Smyth, James G. Smyth, Edward J.W. Stevenson, Ulrich Lauener, Johannes Zumtaugwald, Matthäus Zumtaugwald The first ascent took place on 1 August 1855 by a rope team lead by Charles Hudson. Hudson was one of the first conquerors of the Matterhorn where he became the victim of a fatal accident. The rope team included John Birkbeck, Edward J.W. Stephenson and the brothers Christopher and James G. Smyth.