Australian Milly Young set a new women's fastest known time (FKT) on the Matterhorn (4.478 m) on July 22, 2026. She completed the ascent and descent from Cervinia via the Liongrat (Cresta del Leone) to the summit and back in 5 hours, 17 minutes, and 43 seconds. She reached the summit after approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes.
Record ascent in ideal conditions
Milly Young had already made a trial ascent of the route, gaining valuable knowledge of the route and current conditions. On the day of the record climb, conditions on the Liongrat and Matterhorn were perfect, and Milly opted for a late start at 11:30 to avoid the biggest crowds on the fixed ropes and technical sections. She met her partner, Rhys MacAllister, between the Rifugio Abruzzi and the Carrel bivouac. She climbed the entire route solo, but Rhys accompanied Milly in the upper part of the mountain to keep pace and maintain a consistent speed. Young also reported that she ran out of water and food on the descent, which made the return journey "quite tough." Apart from that, however, the day went very smoothly.
A tribute to the previous record holder
She also acknowledged the previous women's record time: "I am very grateful to Emelie Forsberg for establishing this women's FKT 13 years ago, and I look forward to seeing what other women can achieve on this mountain." Forsberg had climbed the Matterhorn on August 19, 2013, in 5 hours, 51 minutes, and 35 seconds.
I am very grateful to Emelie Forsberg for founding this Women's FKT 13 years ago, and I look forward to seeing what other women can achieve on this mountain.
Milly Young
Overall best time on the Matterhorn, encounter during the record attempt
The overall FKT (Full Known Time) on the Matterhorn was set by Spanish mountain runner Kilian Jornet on August 21, 2013, when he completed the route via the Liongrat from Cervinia in 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 2 seconds. Also on July 22, 2026, Italian mountaineer Nadir Maguet came very close to this record but missed the best time, taking 3 hours, 1 minute, and 48 seconds. Fun fact: During his record attempt, Nadir Maguet encountered Milly Young on the mountain, who set the new women's FKT that same day!
Women on the Matterhorn
Milly Young's achievement joins the long history of women on the Matterhorn: Lucy Walker from England was the first woman to reach the summit of the 4.478-meter mountain in 1871. She reached the summit at the age of 31, wearing a long skirt! Her success made headlines worldwide and is still considered a milestone in women's mountaineering; many women followed her on the Matterhorn, not least Emelie Forsberg. And Milly Young's new FKT continues this legacy more than 150 years later.
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Credits: Cover image: Adobe Stock