# Michel Croz — Scrambles Amongst the Alps in the Years 1860–69 character guide > Michel Croz in Scrambles Amongst the Alps in the Years 1860–69 by Edward Whymper. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Michel Croz of Chamounix, Croz, the cautious Michel **First appearance:** 0004-scrambles-amongst-the-alps-in-the-years-1860-69 ## Snapshot A bold, obliging Chamounix guide whose dash on the rock supplies exactly what steadier companions lack, and whose easy comradeship Whymper recalls with open affection. ## Who they are Croz is the human engine of Whymper's rope, the guide whose fire and dash balance Almer's caution and who works so well with his partners that each confesses to liking the other for it. Left behind at Chamounix, he kicks his heels in visible dejection while the others take his native Aiguilles, a small scene that reveals how deeply he needs the mountains. His warmth and skill make him the emotional center of the guiding team, and Whymper's later reflection that they can never work together again casts a long shadow over the climbs. ## In the story ### [Scrambles Amongst the Alps in the Years 1860–69](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/scrambles-amongst-the-alps-in-the-years-1860-69) A cautious and reliable guide from Chamounix, part of Whymper's team. ### [From St. Michel on the Mont Cenis Road, by the Col des Aiguilles d’Arve, Col de Martignare, and the Brêche de la Meije, to La Bérarde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/viii-from-st-michel-on-the-mont-cenis-road-by-the-col-des-aiguilles-d-arve-col-de-martignare-and-the-br-che-de-la-meije-to-la-b-rarde) Guide praised for his strength, skill, and enthusiasm; described as 'the man who was most after my own heart.' ### [IX: The Ascent of the Pointe des Écrins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/ix-the-ascent-of-the-pointe-des-crins) Guide who cuts steps on the hard ice and later assists in the descent. ### [X: On the First Passage of the Col de Pilatte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/x-on-the-first-passage-of-the-col-de-pilatte) Leads the ascent through the glacier and couloir, cuts steps on the steep ice slope, and executes the dangerous jump over the bergschrund. ### [Passage of the Col de Triolet, and First Ascents of Mont Dolent, Aiguille de Trélatête, and Aiguille d’Argentière](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/xi-passage-of-the-col-de-triolet-and-first-ascents-of-mont-dolent-aiguille-de-tr-lat-te-and-aiguille-d-argenti-re) Guide who accompanied Whymper down the Glacier d'Argentière. ### [XII: The Moming Pass—Zermatt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/xii-the-moming-pass-zermatt) Proposes a middle route up steep glacier, then abandons it for Almer's rocks; cuts steps across a perilous ice-slope. ### [XIII: The First Ascent of the Grand Cornier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/xiii-the-first-ascent-of-the-grand-cornier) One of Whymper's leading guides; speaks only French, works harmoniously with Almer. ### [The Ascent of the Dent Blanche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/xiv-the-ascent-of-the-dent-blanche) Guide; prophesies wind trouble, advises return, but continues; identifies the cairn on the summit. ### [Lost on the Col d'Hérens—My Seventh Attempt to Ascend the Matterhorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/xv-lost-on-the-col-d-h-rens-my-seventh-attempt-to-ascend-the-matterhorn) Took over the lead from Biener but steered in a semicircle; later caught the idea of the new route and deemed it feasible. ### [The First Passage of the Col Dolent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/xvii-the-first-passage-of-the-col-dolent) Leads the descent, cutting steps and anchoring to rocks; first to go down the ice slope. ### [XVIII: Ascent of the Aiguille Verte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/xviii-ascent-of-the-aiguille-verte) Parted from Whymper at the start of the chapter; waited for a new employer in Chamounix. ### [XX: The First Ascent of the Ruinette—The Matterhorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/xx-the-first-ascent-of-the-ruinette-the-matterhorn) Former guide of Whymper, now engaged by Rev. Charles Hudson; encountered at Zermatt. ### [The First Ascent of the Matterhorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/xxi-the-first-ascent-of-the-matterhorn) Key guide who plants the flag on the summit and assists in the ascent. ### [Descent of the Matterhorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/xxii-descent-of-the-matterhorn) Lead guide; places Hadow's feet, then slips and falls, dragging others down; body recovered and buried in Zermatt. ### [D: Table of Attempts Made to Ascend the Matterhorn Previous to the First Ascent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/d-table-of-attempts-made-to-ascend-the-matterhorn-previous-to-the-first-ascent) Guided attempt 14 in 1865. ### [E: Ascents of the Matterhorn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/e-ascents-of-the-matterhorn) Guide on the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) Portrait included (1865); prominent guide and companion. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/characters/michel_croz - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/scrambles_amongst_the_alps_in_the_years_1860_69_se/characters