Dani Arnold Smashes Ueli Steck's Matterhorn Speed Record

Records are meant to be broken and saying Dani Arnold "smashed" Uli Steck's record on the Matterhorn is an understatement. He shaved off a full 10 minutes which represents just under 10% of the total time. Impressive.

Daniel (Dani) Arnold on April 22 broke the speed-climbing record for the Matterhorn, ascending the north face of the iconic 14,692-foot peak in one hour and 46 minutes. In order to climb that fast, Arnold had to free-solo, with no ropes or other protection in case of a fall. The time eclipsed Ueli Steck’s previous (2009) record of one hour and 56 minutes.

Arnold has been climbing since the age of 14. He broke out a few years ago by destroying another speed record, also held by Steck, on the treacherous North face of the Eiger. In 2011, he ascended the 13,025-foot peak in just two hours and 28 minutes, 20 minutes faster than Steck.