Christian Almer facts for kids
Christian Almer (born March 29, 1826 – died May 17, 1898) was a famous Swiss mountain guide. He was one of the first people to climb many important mountains in the western Alps. This was during a time known as the "golden" and "silver" ages of mountain climbing. Almer was born and died in a town called Grindelwald, in Canton of Bern.
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Christian Almer's Climbing Adventures
Christian Almer was a very skilled mountain climber. He helped many people reach the tops of mountains for the first time.
A Special Dog Named Tschingel
Christian Almer once gave his dog, named Tschingel, to a 17-year-old boy named W. A. B. Coolidge. This happened after they tried to climb the Eiger mountain but couldn't make it to the top.
Coolidge later wrote about it:
I first heard about Tschingel in July 1868. Almer had become a guide for my aunt, Miss Brevoort, and me. On July 8, we all climbed the Wetterhorn together. Then, on July 11, we started to climb the Eiger. But the rocks were too slippery, so we had to turn back. I was very disappointed because I was not yet 18 years old. Almer felt bad for me. As we walked back to Grindelwald that afternoon, he promised to give me his dog Tschingel. He said one of her sons, Bello, could now be his watchdog.
A Golden Wedding Climb
On June 20 and 21, 1896, Christian Almer and his wife, Margaritha (who everyone called "Gritli"), celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They chose a very special way to celebrate: they climbed the Wetterhorn mountain!
Christian was 74 years old, and Margaritha was 75. They climbed with two of their younger sons and the village doctor. They started climbing very early on Sunday morning. By evening, they reached a mountain hut called the Wetterhorn Hut. People in the village below knew they arrived safely because they saw a signal light from the hut. The villagers fired many rockets in response!
The old couple and their friends spent the night at the hut. They started climbing again soon after midnight. By 6:30 AM on Monday, they reached the very top of the Wetterhorn, which is 12,150 feet high. The sky was clear, and they saw an amazing view of the Oberland area. This showed how brave and strong they were! The Almers returned safely to Grindelwald on Monday evening.
Mountains Christian Almer Climbed First
Christian Almer was the first person to reach the top of many mountains. Here are some of them:
- 1857 Mönch (Bernese Alps)
- 1858 Eiger (Bernese Alps)
- 1862 Gross Fiescherhorn (Bernese Alps)
- 1864 Barre des Ecrins (Dauphiné Alps)
- 1865 Aiguille Verte (Mont Blanc Massif)
- 1865 Grand Cornier (Pennine Alps)
- 1865 Pointe Whymper on the Grandes Jorasses (Mont Blanc Massif)
- 1865 Nesthorn (Bernese Alps)
- 1867 Kleines Schreckhorn (Bernese Alps)
- 1870 Ailefroide (Dauphiné Alps)
- 1874 Mont Thuria, (Graian Alps)
- 1876 Les Droites west summit (Mont Blanc Massif)
- 1877 Pic Coolidge (Dauphiné Alps)
- 1878 Aiguille Arves Méridonale (Dauphiné Alps)
- 1878 Aiguille de l'Epaisseur (Dauphiné Alps)
- 1878 Les Bans (Dauphiné Alps)
- 1879 Aiguille de Chambeyron (Cottian Alps)
- 1881 Visolotto (Cottian Alps)
- 1884 Pointe de Soliette (Graian Alps)
Christian Almer's Passing
Christian Almer passed away in Grindelwald on May 17, 1898. His gravestone has a special message written on it:
Hier ruht der besten Führer einer CHRISTIAN ALMER geb. 29. März 1826. gest. 17. Mai 1898
Galt’s Berge zu bezwingen,/ Gab’s keinen bessern Mann;/ Wer mit dir stritt und siegte,/ Dich nie vergessen kann./ Jetzt darfst du auf den Zinnen/ Der ewige Berge stehn./ Wohin dich Christus führte./ Dort Freund auf Wiedersehn/ Deine alten treuen Fahrgenossen.
This means: Here rests one of the best guides CHRISTIAN ALMER born March 29, 1826, died May 17, 1898.
If mountains were to be conquered, There was no better man; Whoever struggled with you and won, Can never forget you. Now you may stand on the summits Of the eternal mountains. Where Christ led you, There, friend, goodbye. Your old, loyal companions.
Images for kids
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Sheltering before their climb of the Wetterhorn at the Gleckstein hut in 1869. From left to right, front row: Almer’s wife, daughter, son, Christian Almer; back row: Dr. Huber, Almer’s son; Hans Kaufmann (tallest individual), and another porter.
See also
In Spanish: Christian Almer para niños
