Photo credit: explorersweb.com
Eiger North Face Challenges Climbers Again
The North Face of the Eiger has once again proven to be a formidable challenge for mountaineers Thomas Huber, Stefan Siegrist, and Jonas Schild. The three climbers were engaged in an ambitious project to establish a new route they have been developing over the past several years.
In an emotive reflection, Siegrist remarked, “We wanted to dedicate a memorial route to our deceased mountaineering friends. Maybe that’s why it’s such a headache?”
A Tribute to Fallen Friends
Huber, Siegrist, and Schild aim to complete a tribute project that Huber initiated in 2019, originally alongside his brother Alex. This endeavor honors a close-knit community of climbers who have passed away, including notable figures such as Julian Zanker, David Lama, Dean Potter, Hansjorg Auer, Ueli Steck, and Jeff Lowe.
Their attempts at this route have been numerous, often accompanied by Alex Huber during initial efforts and more recently with Schild. Unfortunately, each attempt has ended prematurely due to unfavorable weather conditions affecting the face.
Thomas Huber (left) and Stefan Siegrist taking a break on the North Face. Photo: Stefan Siegrist
An Accident on Day Two
Maintaining their determination, the climbers tackled the notorious Eigernordwand last week, optimistic about achieving their goal this time. Initially, the weather was quite favorable, with inspiring conditions noted in a video shared by Schild.
However, disaster struck on the second day of their ascent when Siegrist experienced a significant fall while leading a challenging pitch on an overhanging segment of the route.
Describing the incident, Siegrist stated, “I pulled two birdpeaks from the wall while standing on a ladder with a low center of gravity when I fell, apparently followed by a quick backflip. Luckily, I only injured my ankle ligaments and joint, but with three more days of climbing ahead, we were forced to turn back…again.”
For a visual account of Siegrist’s fall, you can view this video.
Looking Ahead to Next Year
Despite hopes for another attempt this season, Huber conveyed a grim outlook. “The Eiger is probably over for the season,” he expressed. “Due to global warming, the days of climbing the central part of the Eiger in summertime or even late spring are long gone. Yet, the mountain isn’t going anywhere, and the commitment to the Vision Memoriam project remains strong.”
Thomas Huber taking in the sunset on the North Face of the Eiger. Photo: Thomas Huber
Source
explorersweb.com