The EIGER · Wall of Death

BBC explores a history of one of the world's most challenging mountains, the Eiger, and its infamous North Face. The film gets to the heart of one of Europe's most notorious peaks, exploring its character and its impact on the people who climb it and live in its awesome shadow.
--Sam Wollaston Review--
Mountains don't get much better than the Eiger with its legendary north face, a near vertical mile of rock and ice, haunted by savage winds and the ghosts of dead climbers. "Every ledge of the Eiger is covered in the sediment of history," says the mountaineer Stephen Venables, who is unusually forthcoming for a climber and has a lovely way with words. He was good on the the BBC's live rock climb in the Outer Hebrides last weekend (five hours of nail-biting drama).
More than 60 people have died attempting the Eiger's north face. Most agonising was the death of the German Toni Kurz in 1936. Kurz had already seen his three companions perish around him: he'd had to cut them free to try to get himself down alive. When he was within a few feet of a rescue party, all he had to do was detach himself from the rope and he would have fallen to them and been saved. But after a night dangling alone on the rock, he was too exhausted and frostbitten to summon up the energy. "I can't go on," he gasped, and died.
His would-be rescuers had emerged on to the wall from a door called the Stollenloch, which connects to the railway inside the mountain. That door is an extraordinary thing: it turns the north face of the Eiger into an advent calendar - albeit a one-hit one. To the climbers who have used the Stollenloch as an escape route, it must have felt like Christmas Day. There can be few doors - the one on the wardrobe on the way to Narnia perhaps, and possibly the Pearly Gates - that are so different on either side. On one side is one of the most extreme and terrifying places on earth, once described by the aristocratic British editor of the Alpine Journal as "an obsession for the mentally deranged" and "the most imbecile variant since mountaineering first began"; and on the other side are trainloads of tourists, on their way to see the view.
Today, mountain guides Kenton Cool and Neil Brodie are going the other way, from inside to out, just to have a look. "Bugger me, this is awesome," says one of them. See what I mean about not all climbers having Stephen Venables's way with words? The only pity about this absorbing chronicle of one of the world's great climbing challenges is that the conditions aren't right for Cool and Brodie. It would have been nice to go up with them, battling through the spindrift and the sediment of history, past the Stollenloch, the Hinterstoisser Traverse, the Flatiron, Death Bivouac, the Traverse of the Gods, the White Spider, and on to the summit. But then perhaps, in these days, when a Swiss wunderkind called Ueli Steck can scale the north face on his own in two hours and 47 minutes, it's quite reassuring that the mountain can still sometimes win.
#Eiger #ClimbingTheEiger

[@nenblom]

Who else is totally hooked on these mountaineering documentaries?

[@russsmith5441]

Me

[@ninniejaxx5997]

Me

[@subodhadavadkar7158]

Me

[@michaelgallagher3640]

Yup

[@kainplan2020]

Guilty

[@spencethegreat38]

I live in a 3 story apartment with an extremely tight and steep staircase, I will now refer to it as the Eiger. My dog will tell you some harrowing tales..

[@emmaphilo4049]

Loollll

[@jakethepitador2558]

OMG! That staircase is an offense against taste and decency! The constructor had a clear lack of theology and geometry!

[@martinhuntley5342]

Loving this humor👌

[@brotherspartacus4751]

You have no respect. People died. Mother’s and fathers lost their children..families and friends lost their loved one! I pray you never know anything where you fear for your life….

[@stephenmcdonagh2795]

A guy who says he lives near me has a hard time with the stairs- I keep seeing him in his sleeping bag at base camp. Flat climbing, just like mountaineering, takes a certain amount of stupidity...:)

[@smudgey1kenobey]

I was taking a botany class at the University of Rhode Island in the 1970s when somebody told me my professor’s husband had been a climber. So I read the book Straight Up that same summer. It was a very different experience learning about this mountain when Marilyn Harlin, John’s widow, was at the blackboard, and I’d just seen her photo at John’s funeral in the alps. I certainly learned how much a biography exposes the family left behind. She was raising their children without him. I’m not passing judgement here. I’m watching this excellent video to gain a larger perspective. But I will say that a climbers responsibility is not only to his climbing partners.

[@saltpeter7429]

Great point. I think about this as well. Read a few books about Willie Unsoeld, "Fatal Mountaineer" being the one I have in hand. It's a real study in value's, prioritization and achievement and family. No easy quick summation, good books keep me chewing on them years later.

[@janetyamashige9573]

@Maureen McConnell Completely agree. I believe your statement about responsibility applies to just about anyone who undertakes the higher risk sports/hobbies.

[@joeljohnston8517]

She probably married him knowing exactly what kind of man he was. People used to understand high risk and high reward. Bravery was beautiful. Today weak people stand on the shoulders of giants and criticize them.

[@anthonymorales842]

Go Rhody an URI alum here I knew Marilyn as well

[@georgeorwell4534]

" But I will say that a climbers responsibility is not only to his climbing partners." -- I agree. I have enormous respect for the courage it takes to tackle these mountains but when someone's future, especially your children, count on you being there to guide them and teach them, then perhaps your vision needs to expand beyond the mountain you're attempting to defeat.

[@tamaracaldaroni9710]

Dam i love these mountain climbers docs, I can’t climb, don’t want to climb but I’m absolutely fascinated with the courage and determination these brilliant climbers have. Much respect, well done, oh and please keep these amazing docs coming! Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

[@gregparrott]

Years ago, I read the book 'Touching the Void', an EXTREMELY harrowing, near fatal story. A video recounting & re-enactment on the mountain is narrated by both of the climbers exists.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/epXIomCsh6iNbs0

[@aglup2630]

So am I. The determination to pursue the impossible is so inspiring. The struggle to survive …

[@boknows598]

How is it in Australia right now? Im hearing very troubling reports @tamara caldaroni

[@ironman4life89]

Agreed. I'll climb indoors with a height limit of 15 feet while respecting these mountains from KZbin haha

[@STR82DVD]

Agreed. I'm not a ghoul interested in climbers plummeting to their deaths. Nope, rather I want to know WHY they do what they do and how they overcome the odds and incredible suffering to succeed or alternately, fail.

[@tay9843]

Rest in paradise Ueli Steck aka The Swiss Machine. 10/4/1976 - 4/30/2017

[@doclewis8927]

I cringe at the gear that the early mountaineers had compared to those who climb now. Wow. Those guys were beyond crazy to do what they did with their gear. That, in itself, is an achievement.

[@drats1279]

"beyond crazy? that remark clearly indicates you know nothing about why and how those adventurous men climbed. People like you will never understand.

[@taitfreeman9421]

​@@drats1279ok rambo

[@mikeog2617]

Yeah will never understand stupidity lol

[@astrumrimor2450]

I can’t believe they didn’t wear more fur from head to toe. So crazy what they wore.

[@TheMerryPrangster]

​@@taitfreeman9421 no sure what relevance Rambo has here

[@jeancolley8908]

I was familar with the earlier failed attempts on the north face, but this video is the first time I've heard the full story of the successful 1938 climb. And frankly, I am just absolutely STUNNED that Harrer climbed after forgetting his crampons. It's one thing to do ice climbing without spikes as a deliberate choice- another entirely to discover at the base of the mountain that you've forgetting critical equipment, and decide to go anyways

[@jekanyika]

I agree, that is crazy.

[@annnee6818]

That's not smart

[@jaycspeedier5507]

Pardon?

[@ianwhitehead3086]

And then becomes tutor to the Dalai Lama

[@TheMerryPrangster]

Yeah. It's like ice skating without the ice

[@jjohnston326]

I'm 50 this year. I was only 14 when I first gazed upon the Eiger and it has been burned into my memory ever since. There really is something special about this mountain.

[@daviddavidsonn3578]

it's a big rock, "special"??, nothing....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bentownsend4017]

What do you find special?

[@nuclear9977]

@@bentownsend4017the vertical mile of solid rock

[@annnee6818]

​@bentownsend4017 the perpetual darkness

[@khimaros]

@@daviddavidsonn3578 if you’d ever actually seen a mountain like this you’d get it. But you clearly have no idea.

[@timw7256]

That interview with Brian was god awfully heartbreaking

[@mac1975]

What happened to Brian. He seemed to have disappeared

[@DavidThomas-qq4hf]

RIP Euli Steck. Was great to see him again.

[@vanlifeoverlander6785]

@@stujones3566 haven or hell who knows.

[@vcom2327]

I was in Kleine Scheidegg in 1981.. I was told to look through the telescope. On the Eiger Nordwand, there were 2 climbers hanging from their ropes, dead for several days. What a shock.

[@Subtletext]

Ueli Steck did this climb in 2hr 23mins. WHAT A LEGEND!!

[@newbeginnings8566]

Died aged 40....

[@captaincat1743]

Ueli Steck's record climb is to me one of the greatest athletic achievements in human history.

[@TheMerryPrangster]

Not really worth dying for.

[@Subtletext]

@@TheMerryPrangster true but he didn't...here at least

[@Subtletext]

@@captaincat1743 agreed

[@leylag1466]

The Eiger has always fascinated me like the Grand Dame of sheer rocks. Meanwhile I get dizzy on the third step of my ladder.

[@victorianidetch]

I look at that mountain and think "That's just crazy, what a nightmare of a climb!"

[@leylag1466]

@@victorianidetch Ueli Steck ( he was called the Swiss Machine ) climbed it in 2 hours and 22 min.

[@victorianidetch]

@@leylag1466 That is amazing, what a great talent!

[@madbrad7274]

@@leylag1466 What a strapping stud

[@leylag1466]

@@madbrad7274 unfortunately he died on a rather easy part of the Mount Everest.🥲

[@bepowerification]

How the heck did Steck climb this in 2 hours 47 minutes? Thats insane

[@Glenn-em3hv]

I heard of people climbing Everest in hours without oxygen??? I don't know if it's true but anyone that can climb like that is a super man!!!

[@ngrg15]

​@@Glenn-em3hvhe already had speed record of 4 hrs (approx) on eiger and he broke his own record later which was this. He was really fast but unfortunately died in 2017 in nepal during everest climbing from a different route.

[@lburns7952]

It was considered 'bad form' to die on the mountain. Totally British! Gotta love it.

[@smoothmicra]

Did I hear the young Bonnington say "we aren't risking our necks, this is a calculated studied route" and the old Bonnington say "the ropes we were using were miles too thin, it was only a matter of time before one of them snapped"? Yep, sounds like risking your neck.

[@jvowen6555]

I visited the Eiger in 1996. I had never heard of it before the day I arrived there, but have sure learned to respect the pioneering climbers who challenged it in the 1930s. My travelling buddy, a Czech fellow, tried to impress on me the epic battles they waged, but only these videos really capture it all for me. I found it somewhat surreal that people could watch climbers risking their lives from the comfort of a hotel. To each his/her own, I guess.

[@gammaraygem]

I never climbed a mountain and never will. But I love watching documentaries like this, and as a kid (born in 1952) I used to read about these epic climbs. What I never understood though, in the case of the Eiger, is why, where , how, was there a railway track way up there???

[@robertparsons558]

See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jungfrau_Railway I have visited many times and hope to return again. 50 years ago it was an experience, now it's another tourist attraction and can be very crowded..

[@gammaraygem]

@@robertparsons558 Amazing! Thanks!

[@shirleymason7697]

For the resort there facing Eiger.

[@christiansargent6053]

Why?

[@koda90]

it's in switzerland, lol. we have railways everywhere

[@Chuckbobuck201]

Having traveled there in 2018 (during the summer ) was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to visit one of the most stunning and beautiful places on earth. Was almost unbelievable to see the beauty of the place!

[@rossilake218]

I want to go!

[@trueman2467]

👍 an avid lover of nature you seem. If it's unbelievable for you, go visit karakurams and passu cones. You ll love it forever.

[@LieseLotte471]

It seems like the prettiest mountain to me! I have seen many of these documentaries but none of the mountains ever look distinct or special to me. This one does! Not the biggest or anything but sure the prettiest 😄

[@ip2862]

Sedlmayr and Mehringer were not found at the Death Bivouac. The body of Max Sedlmayr was found at the foot of the face the following year [1936] by his brother Heinrich and Martin Meier; they were among a team from Munich who were looking for the bodies of the victims of the Toni Kurz tragedy. The remains of Karl Mehringer were found in 1962 by Swiss climbers below the Flatiron at the lefthand end of the Second Icefield.

[@Sunset553]

I was wondering about the climbers who died on the face. I hope all were recovered, but it’s tragic having to prepare a trip to find someone you love. This video was my introduction to climbing the Eiger north face. It’s terribly sad.

[@juliannaorgane4919]

I used to do high mountain hiking when I was young. I never climbed but I have always been fascinated by the mountaineering heroes.

[@mowana1232]

I visited Kleine Scheidegg about 20 years ago. It is one of these magical places, you won't forget. Films can't quite capture the grandeur and sheer size of the Nordwand. When we were there, there were climbers doing an ascent. Their tiny, moving specks translated the Nordwand to human scale for us. Humans = tiny ants, Eiger = mother nature.

[@anthonymorales842]

Perfect

[@akseli9]

First woman (1992) Catherine Destivelle. Soloed Heckmair route on sight in 17 hours. Almost entirely without protection.

[@carrueross2705]

I always flashback to the Eastwood movie when I hear the word Eiger. Amazing world in which we live!

[@bookaufman9643]

Alex Honnold says that the Eiger Sanction is the most realistic climbing movie of all

[@floydvaughn836]

@@bookaufman9643 the training scenes are worth the popcorn. Talk about motivation!

[@mrkipling2201]

I've climbed Snowden and even Mt Blanc as a teenager, 15 years old to be precise, but I wouldn't have tried anything else. For some reason, I started to suffer with bad vertigo in my late 20's, so these documentaries are my climbing experience now!!!

[@garlandremingtoniii1338]

2015 (23 July): A team of British Para-Climbers reached the summit via the West Flank Route. The team included John Churcher, the world's first blind climber to summit the Eiger, sight guided by the team leader Mark McGowan. Colin Gourlay enabled the ascent of other team members, including Al Taylor who has multiple sclerosis, and the young autistic climber Jamie Owen from North Wales. The ascent was filmed by the adventure filmmakers Euan Ryan & Willis Morris of Finalcrux Films.

[@riverdeep399]

That is truly inspirational. Thank you for sharing that information. :)

[@Glenn-em3hv]

Now that's just unbelievable that someone who's blind would do that!!! Very special person!

[@akseli9]

One of the best films about the North Face of the Eiger is "The Beckoning Silence" by Louise Osmond/Joe Simpson. Another great film is "Eiger" (Stéphane Deplus), about the first ascent by a woman, Catherine Destivelle on March 9, 1992.

[@losmosquitos1108]

Thanks for the hints! Much appreciated. ♥️👍

[@silverpantsblue.1780]

i saw the thumbnail of this and couldnt think of anything but - The Eiger Sanction

[@DannyClarkeVlog]

Liked and subscribed. I am writing this in a hostel that overlooks the Eiger. After watching a different documentary many years ago, I have always dreamed about coming here to Grindelwald and seeing it in person. It is even more beautiful in person. And.... there is another mountain right next to it that is just as beautiful. Just incredible. What a beautiful world we live in.

[@Glenn-em3hv]

You wonder why the other mountain isn't just as popular???

[@engegiger]

Greetings from Switzerland 🥰

[@ashleybrown4754]

I can't even climb out of bed in the morning.

[@kRomani-gh4ws]

💊💊💊💊💊

[@handduggraverdronline]

Most kids these days have the same problem

[@veganbutcherhackepeter]

​​@@handduggraverdronline And so did you when you were a teenager. You know, hormones... I'm really tired of this 'back in the day we ate nails for breakfast and walked 20 miles to school uphill' BS.

[@TheOracle65]

I’ve stayed in Grindlewald in the summer a few years ago, and seeing the north face for the first time is truly awe-inspiring. The thought of climbing that vertical face seems absolute madness, but having watched a number of these mountaineering documentaries I can also see the fatal attraction of it.

[@Craftybierfrau]

I skydived in the area looking at the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfräu, such a great experience. Love Grindelwald. Great to live in Switzerland

[@antidoteforlife9460]

Your a boss

[@cathycharron-folsom4504]

I lived a couple months every year in Wegen and have been on railroad inside Eiger. Hiked all local peaks and slipped once and started falling straight down a 7000 foot stretch (verticle). There were fallen trees because of previous avalanches. I managed to catch tree, but most of my clothes ripped off. Still had backpack and walking poles were on wrists. I was so scared and it was difficult to get off this vertical terrain. I had extra clothes. I was very careful and did not get on deer trail. Also let my landlord know which peak I would be climbing and when I would return.

[@davidmclachlan6592]

I've stood at the bottom of the Eiger 'wall of death' and looked up, it's awesomely scary .

[@davebetch9918]

I've been on it twice in the winter but never got very far. One day,..one day....

[@deadprivacy]

@@davebetch9918 that seems to be the trick, all these deaths from people getting trapped in the weather - young la just runs up it before the wind even changes direction, pick a nice day , get really fit, woosh,,,at the top by lunchtime he said.

[@oldmandoinghighkicksonlyin1368]

6:05 When looking at the Eiger in profile, it reminds me of the Sphinx at the Great Pyramid of Egypt.

[@stephenmcdonagh2795]

Does it really overhang or is that an illusion? It's hard to tell looking at pictures and documentaries.

[@davidmclachlan6592]

@@stephenmcdonagh2795 yes it does overhang, looking at it from some angles it appears slightly concaved.

[@lesflynn4455]

This was a great watch. A fabulous documentary. Thank you for posting. Those pioneering climbers in the 30s and even in the 60s had such an adventurous spirit.

[@ExxylcrothEagle]

Wall of Death is an amazing book. Whole history from heckmair to Harlin

[@nongthip]

When I lived in Germany (with German girlfriend) I used to drive down to Switzerland many times for mountain biking in summer and skiing/boarding in winter. The primary destination was usually Interlaken which I first visited in 1988 and became my go-to place far many years after. But to get into the big mountains meant going to Grindelwald which is the base for many famous mountains with ski lifts, cable cars and bicycle paths. The classic view is Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, and many more to the east and west (Wetterhorn, Schilthorn, etc.). There is a tunnel railway called the Jungfraujoch which goes up to the "Top of Europe" which I've done a few times and the views up there (3,454 m/11,332 ft) are spectacular, although it can be quite crowded with other tourists. Part of the way up the tunnel train stops and you can go to a "window" which looks out of the Eiger north face and shows just how vertically steep and dangerous it is. I could and would not climb it myself, but it is one of the world's go-to places for mountain scenery. Oh yeah, bring your fat wallet, as it is expensive.

[@chazzbranigaan9354]

It's really not that expensive, I am in interlaken now and have heard many say switzerland is so expensive, are you guys from Thailand or something? Switzerland is cheaper than most major cities in the US.

[@TheMerryPrangster]

Yeah I heard it was massively overpriced.

[@engegiger]

I live here and find it expensive, Mt Pilatus has a gorgeous view, reached by cogwheel on 1 side, by cablecar on other side. It's in Lucern.

[@northbynorth2283]

I was lucky to climb the Eiger 20+ years ago, did not climb the north face but at the foot of the north all you can see is crosses and the sound of the mountain.

[@jennifermcdonald5432]

What do you mean by the “sound of the mountain “.

[@jaysoto1182]

@@jennifermcdonald5432 the sound of the wind whipping off the mountain

[@jennifermcdonald5432]

@@jaysoto1182 must sound very spooky, kind of hollow and spacey, empty. Thanks for answering!

[@kvltizt]

@@jennifermcdonald5432 not many trees soaking up the sound

[@paddlefaster]

I'll never forget taking the train to the top of the Eiger. They stopped at several of the windows so you could look out at the face. I can't imagine having the cojones to climb it.

[@margaritaisabelcabrera6491]

I did the same 20 years ago

[@antidoteforlife9460]

A train to the top?

[@paddlefaster]

@@antidoteforlife9460 yes. It runs inside the eiger to an observation deck overlooking a glacier behind the jungfrau.

[@One-Ring-To-Rule-Them-All]

There is no train to the top of the Eiger. You still have to be a mountain climber to reach the top (luckily). The train goes to the glacier between Mönch and Jungfrau but runs through the (poor) Eiger...

[@paddlefaster]

@@One-Ring-To-Rule-Them-All pardon my mistake. It takes you really close to the top of the Eiger. And it does run through it.

[@captnwally]

I’ve been to the foot of the Eiger a number of times. It is an eerie place when the fog rolls in. The most climbing I’ve done is to walk from Wengen and then on another day from Grindlewald , up to Kleine Scheidigg. I have also hiked above Murren a number of times. I love that entire area. Also, as a young Canadian growing up in a Cdn city I read most of the books mentioned in this video. Thank you for posting the video!

[@MADDLADO1]

Thank you for these terrific uploads, David Snow !!!

[@voornaam3191]

You mean "terrifying" ????

[@navidhendrix]

First thing I noticed was what the Composer did at 0:33. The emphasis on the 'shut' part of the interview with the drums. It wasn't random. It was played on the '1' part of the 4/4. Well done Composer .... well done.

[@losmosquitos1108]

22:12 The historian talking about Kurz‘s death gave me the willies. Anyone noticed his diabolic laughter when he said: “Toni Kurz. It was perfect…“? 🙄

[@brandonsexton9017]

I thought that was pretty messed up too. I know he was probably meaning perfect drama for the media, but still the way he said it made him come across as a complete POS.

[@stihlnz]

Well done, great historical story, with some of the main still living protagonists.

[@corkycobon1481]

The whole of the Alps are beautiful but there is something that has always seemed ominous about The Eiger. It is a beautiful piece of rock but I do not feel the need to climb it.

[@oldmandoinghighkicksonlyin1368]

That's because your name isn't Kenton Cool and you don't have an earring like him.

[@quantumpotential7639]

Well, please reconsider as the mountain is thirsty for great adventure men, and you could appear at the top .. VICTORIOUS. Well, think about it as your fine efforts might change the equation and the mountain no doubt would appreciate your presence. Thanks

[@stephenburnage7687]

I think it is just the north wall. The mountain itself is a moderate climb if approached by some of the other routes.

[@MrLjpadk11]

Why do alot of Brits have dreadful teeth?

[@augustwest5273]

@@MrLjpadk11 😆

[@saryansermino3930]

Thank you for sharing this amazing documentary!!!

[@stephanosnicolaou7111]

This channel has become my favourite. Keep them coming!

[@biologychic7292]

“A vertical mile of brittle blasted limestone, hanging ice, and howling winds.” Me: 😳 nope, no thank you.

[@salvadorgutierrez1621]

Honor y Gloria jp

[@jonathanbrooks917]

Lol

[@Yuuphonixx]

The Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat is an even bigger nope to many for it is the biggest and highest mountain face in the world.

[@bububububak]

😂

[@JinxMarie1985]

Yup I'll just watch other people vicariously

[@HardwareAddiction]

Thanks so much for uploading this. I've never seen this amazing documentary before.

[@rmarriott2]

"There's a wonderful photo of the four of them and you can just see that... that radiant glow of fulfillment and happiness [and frostbite] on their faces. It's a wonderful picture..." "Frostbite". He forgot that you can see frostbite on their faces! @33:06

[@ewsdneax61eaxe10]

Thank you very much mate for all these uploads👍👍👍

[@eckhal2]

Was there in Feb - 1997 (not a climber) awesome area go their if you can, as my Swiss friends stated you will always remember it, respect to the climbers.🇺🇸

[@ahmettatar2825]

I have been mountaineering for about 45 years. I climb in Uludag and Aladaglar mountains just as a hobby. But this documentary is great and I am very excited, congratulations

[@twistoffate4791]

At 42:44, Chris Bonington is talking about the mysteriousness of the mountain, still, in 1962, and his eyes sparkle and suddenly, it's as if he never aged a day & is young again.

[@steviedee8921]

Fantastic recording. Chris Bonnington gave a lecture at our school circa 1971 and it was utterly mesmerising. I shall never forget it. Brilliant.

[@SimakSantana]

So much content, thanks for the upload

[@debbiemurphy2512]

Thanks so much for uploading this wonderful video 🙏

[@scottpitner4298]

It’s like theater. That’s really fascinating as one can just watch it unfold

[@steerpike50]

Brilliant documentary , iv heard and watched Chris Bonington since i was a kid , he is one of our true adventurers , very exciting stuff.

[@Longtack55]

A couple of years ago in Switzerland I was fortunate to stay with the daughter of the 9th party ascender Erich Vanis. He was obsessive about mountaineering and tended to ignore his family (as you would expect.) Maybe I can be first to ascend on one leg while wearing a onesie? Hmmm. An excellent production everyone, and my thanks.

[@sandybanjo]

Great presentation.....I agree with Tamara below......Lots of lessons to be learned spiritually, as well of understanding the challenges.

[@towerdave4836]

Camped under the face in 2018 and spent hours gazing at the spindrift cascading down the face. Magical place.

[@catlinferris5970]

I didnt learn about steck till this year, he was going to be revolutionary and unfortunately he is no longer with us. But that's style ge climbed in, is the razors edge. Rest in peace to the men and women who push.

[@PhenomenalOrg]

The story of four man, Tony, Andy, Eddie, and Willie will forever be legendary

[@DonLee1980]

why is it that every story of a group of climbers trying to save one climber always ends in terrible tragedy with the whole group. so sad

[@OvelNick]

It's the promise made. For every story like that there are stories of climbers saved that you don't hear about. Someone is fuked... You do what you can to unfuk them.

[@Quicksilver_Cookie]

Actually this is one of the reasons why these days in high altitude climbing you often hear about people being "abandoned", or left to die. Through generations of climbers many have come to a conclusion that rescue at such high altitudes may be futile, and endangering more people than it's worth. Obviously, it's not always the case. And it sounds callous. But that's the reality, and most accept it when they decide to climb. You most often see this in absolute top altitude climbs of over 8000 meters, where a lot of the time somebody who is still alive will be seemingly abandoned by their group. But if you are incapacitated at that altitude and can't walk - rescue is almost certain impossibility. Will depend on a mountain, of course. And I've seen people say "well, why don't just fly a helicopter and rescue", to which there's a simple answer - even highest performing helicopters won't be able to hover at anything above 3000, maybe 3500 meters at best of conditions.

[@engegiger]

@@Quicksilver_Cookie Like poor Toni Kurz. They tried so hard to save him. Tried to reach him from tunnel window closest to him. There was absolutely nothing they could do for him. So gut wrenching.

[@GG-jn4dx]

Been around during summer hiking below it. Beautiful place

[@tm13tube]

This is a haunting story. I’ll never forget it.

[@cherrypickerguitars]

I’m a first gen Brit emigrant,raised in Canada. Conceived in England, but born in 1958 in Canada, after my parents immigrated on the Empress of France. Chris Bonington is THE pre-eminent mountaineer of my generation. Growing up in the 60’s and reading the great adventure books of the day about the initial summiting of Everest, other mountaineering accounts, and books like The Gypsy Moth Circles the World etc, Bonington became my adventure hero. To me he is the embodiment of the British explorer! I have some climbing experience. I lived on the eastern slopes of the Rockies, in Alberta through the 80’s, and live in the interior of British Columbia now, but I’m a “hiker” at this point! Peace

[@Yuuphonixx]

I absolutely loved the second ascent of the North Face of the Eiger. It gave Louis Lachenal and Lionel Terray the strength and confidence they needed to make Annapurna a success in 1950.

[@ThoR52]

It was quite an epic, which is ultimately the most interesting aspect for me.

[@Yuuphonixx]

@@ThoR52 Not to mention that Chris Bonington and Ian Clough were the first Brits to ascend via the Nordwand in 1962, and then to lead an expedition that will first scale the south face of Annapurna in 1970. Although Chris was confined at one of the camps and Ian was caught in an avalanche created by a serac during the descent.

[@Vector_Ze]

45-years ago, when I was young and invulnerable, I dangled my legs over the 1,000-foot sheer drop from Plateau Point in the Grand Canyon. A vertical mile? Hmm, no more dead than a fall from 1,000 feet. But, I'm no longer invulnerable. And, absolutely nowhere near as fit.

[@tm13tube]

And I’ll be paralyzed by terror just watching you.

[@lisalynnn]

I love these videos!

[@maasaigeordie]

I'm not even a climber, but I've watched this documentary 5 times. I love it.

[@user-sj9pk5bs3y]

Thanks Ehsan. Video was so helpful

[@lidijabasanovic9779]

Love your channel, every video is awesome 😊 thanks and wish you the best in life and work 🌳

[@elleemann]

Love these documentaries David. Thank you!

[@DavidSnowClimbing]

Glad you like them!

[@Tom-mo2dr]

If you watched the ' Eiger Sanction ' with Clint Eastwood they reinacted the dangling rescue attempt ! It was spectacular , in the movie they rescued him . Great documentary gentleman . Well done .

[@123HappyMad]

Here I am thinking North Face is just a popular winter brand.

[@thiefonthecross7552]

North Face refers to half dome in Yosemite.

[@kvltizt]

@@thiefonthecross7552 It also works nicely for many mountains in the northern hemisphere with exposed north faces. brutal in the winter, never receiving sun.

[@thiefonthecross7552]

@@kvltizt Yea for sure. Just talking about the brand specifically.

[@freddy7171]

RIP Steck. Complete legend

[@moiraatkinson]

I’ve been on that train through the Eiger, which stops at the station high on the north face, where you can get out and look at the route up that climbers would take. I’ll never forget the sight of all the ice and shuddering at the idea of climbing it. It’s a sight like no other - where else do you get to look through a window at the middle of a mountain and view it from a few feet away? When we got off the train at the top of Jungfraujoch there was as a steady stream of people heading up the Eiger by an easier route, which although snow covered and very cold in September, looked a reasonably easy climb, though a long one (considerably shorter if you took the train to Jungfrau, but I don’t suppose many did)! Brilliant video, like all of David Snow’s.

[@Glenn-em3hv]

I can't believe they actually laid train tracks up it!!!! Those people were incredible and a different generation!!!

[@mrjole5407]

Great documentary 👍 thanks for sharing

[@dmmchugh3714]

If I'm not mistaken, the Clint Eastwood movie "The Eiger Sanction" recreated the Kurtz accident. Though of course Clint is saved when he cuts the rope. I think the movie shows that window out on to the face too. Crazy !

[@TheNadinucca]

Thank you for sharing this incredible documentary! :-)

[@DavidSnowClimbing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@memoonaahmad114]

@@DavidSnowClimbingin which country the eiger is?

[@positronikiss]

@@memoonaahmad114 Confederation Helvetica

[@engegiger]

@@memoonaahmad114 It's in Switzerland, the old Roman name is Confederation Helvetica. 🥰

[@engegiger]

@@positronikiss Smart ass. Lol. Why all vehicles have CH on them. 🥰

[@davebetch9918]

This has been posted before on various channels and I have seen it hundreds of times but this is the best quality one and has all the music unlike some of the others. Now we just need the documentary with Eric Jones soloing the Eiger back on KZbin!

[@lindsayrogers6690]

Eric Jones is a legend. Also served a mean bacon butty in his cafe at the bottom of Tremadoc. Top lad.

[@davebetch9918]

@@lindsayrogers6690 he is and he does indeed

[@garthlyon]

Eric Jones' solo (film) made it real when he lost his confidence and froze at the bottom of the Exit Cracks, but he heroically recovered (alone) to finish the climb.

[@SpookyRedz]

Please keep sending them Mr.David 👍

[@timwilson2435]

Great upload. I think there was a film about Ed Whymper and the Matterhorn a while back, but haven't been able to find it. I do remember that it was a fascinating story, and pretty tragic.

[@wm4462]

Look on KZbin for: “death on the Matterhorn” There is a hour and a half doc on that story. Some drama but also a lot of good info.

[@timwilson2435]

@@wm4462 thanks, found it. Not the one I remember seeing (think that was one in a series about mountaineers), but looks good.

[@pleasuretokill]

What a great documentary....these people are crazy af tho. I'll just watch it on my phone thx. 😂

[@lukefish7562]

😆👍🏼

[@josho9910]

agreed

[@Rbati_malaki]

Exactly lmaol I'm doing for the 1st time though the toubkal summit in Morocco next holidays, it's the highest in the north of Africa, which connects is a part of the atlas belt, many montains that goes over the 3 Maghreb countries. I HOPE I'LL DO WELL i need to work on my cardio and psychology 'cos I have a little acrophobia 😭😳

[@danieldusentrieb4082]

So crazy...

[@Linda-ot3pj]

What a mountain ! What bravery ! Fascinating sport

[@dannydillon997]

What a great video 🙏 thank you David

[@akseli9]

Probably the boldest solo mountain climb in history: Metanoia, on the North Face of the Eiger, by Jeff Lowe in winter 1991. It's Jello's birthday today, he would have been 71. RIP.

[@One-Ring-To-Rule-Them-All]

Metanoia is such a breath taking project. Jeff Lowe was the purest mountaineer I can imagine. RIP...

[@losmosquitos1108]

Do you know of Ueli Steck‘s speed climb record in 2015 (2:22‘!), classic route? Unbelievable. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJfTioGobMqmZrs R.I.P., „Suisse machine“

[@akseli9]

@@losmosquitos1108 yes, Ueli Steck was such an amazing climber. He thoroughly discussed with Jeff Lowe about Metanoia because he wanted to be the first one to repeat it. Alas he died in the Himalayas, so we'll never see him achieve the first repetition of Metanoia.

[@ContactsNfilters]

Nice. "Metanoia" was often translated to "repentence" or in a book titled "the mountain of silence" "to change one's mind", but I also like the idea of "meta" meaning beyond and noia of course means mind, so to go beyond the mind. Beyond the doubting thoughts. I'll have to read that book.

[@reagangarcia8502]

Amazing and interesting documentary!

[@polloloci21]

Just passed by the north face on a gondola. That mountain face is scary AF

[@Prof.Tarfeather]

I am Impressed! What a Story! Thanks for the History .

[@chanachaya8996]

It looks like the lords mountain! Maybe there are precious aspects of nature we are not meant to challenge!! I will just respect & admire it from below...

[@ImaMonaKnight]

Outstanding..Thanks Foreverything 💞💎💘

[@christelwilk6166]

impressive and very interesting documentary. Thank you for the upload.

[@rjones6219]

The climber who died hanging on his rope. I seem to recall that he was left there for a couple of years. And when they did finally recover his body, they found his watch still working. Kept going by the gentle swinging of his body in the wind.

[@michaelkinville177]

Swiss movement?

[@carolball5764]

@@michaelkinville177 Ha!!

[@lisaperry5999]

Tony Kurtz

[@Glenn-em3hv]

Was he really there for years??? You would think that someone would cut the rope!!!!

[@elobiretv]

not true, he was cut down after a few days

[@Zakri_Boy]

Amazing video

[@catdaddy3302]

“If you’ve climbed half the Eiger, you’re already committed.” You got that right!

[@maxiepattie85]

"i've been down that road and know where it leads why I keep coming back, a mystery to me?" - NOFX obsession is in the wiring i suppose?

[@DennisFromRLM]

@@maxiepattie85 I have never seen someone quote NOFX before, lmao. I'm glad to say I have now.

[@KatherineUribe-1]

Fantastic documentary.

[@dkcorderoyximenez3382]

Very good piece...ty...

[@Sirdoolan]

Could you imagine watching Ueli sprinting up the mountain while having an early lunch at that bar? By the time you’ve finished and it’s time for beer he’s almost at the top? MADNESS