Mountaineering
Stephen was one of the most prominent figures in the golden age of alpinism (the period between Wills's ascent of the Wetterhorn in 1854 and Whymper's ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865) during which many major alpine peaks saw their first ascents. Joining the Alpine Club in 1857 (the year of its formation), Stephen made the first ascent, usually in the company of his favourite Swiss guide Melchior Anderegg, of the following peaks:
- Wildstrubel – 11 September 1858 with T. W. Hinchliff and Melchior Anderegg
- Bietschhorn – 13 August 1859 with Anton Siegen, Johann Siegen and Joseph Ebener
- Rimpfischhorn – 9 September 1859 with Robert Living, Melchior Anderegg and Johann Zumtaugwald
- Alphubel – 9 August 1860 with T. W. Hinchliff, Melchior Anderegg and Peter Perren
- Blüemlisalphorn – 27 August 1860 with Robert Living, Melchior Anderegg, F. Ogi, P. Simond and J. K. Stone
- Schreckhorn – 16 August 1861 with Ulrich Kaufmann, Christian Michel and Peter Michel
- Monte Disgrazia – 23 August 1862 with E. S. Kennedy, Thomas Cox and Melchior Anderegg
- Zinalrothorn – 22 August 1864 with Florence Crauford Grove, Jakob Anderegg and Melchior Anderegg
- Mont Mallet – 4 September 1871 with G. Loppe, F. A. Wallroth, Melchior Anderegg, Ch. and A. Tournier
He was President of the Alpine Club from 1865–1868.
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