North Face Page #4

would you rescue them?

- We aren't legally required to.

- No.

- What is he doing?

- Who?

He's hardly using any protection.

- Who?

- One of the Austrians.

If he slips, that's an entire rope length.

Ah, there they are!

Our hardy Mountain Brigade.

Clearly the better climbers.

Technically superior.

They might summit tomorrow...

- May I...

- I've got this covered.

You make sure we have enough shots

of the spectators...

- Where is your camera?

- Right here.

No sleeping, get to work!

Look, show me I didn't make a mistake

with you!

Step aside!

Get your own magic eyepiece!

- Well?

- No.

End of the line.

It's pointless.

You need a piton every metre.

Yeah, if you can even find a place

to sink them.

This is a lousy route.

You could take a different one.

No one is forcing you to stick to us

like glue.

We'll traverse this slab,

climb up the chimney,

and cross over the ice field.

You can't cross here!

You always say "never say never."

Have fun, gentlemen.

See you at the top.

Though I doubt you'll make it.

We'll rappel to a lower point

and cross there.

I saw a good spot.

Look!

That was historic, wasn't it?

Historic.

Where is she with her camera?

Hinterstoisser Traverse.

You'll be famous for that.

Mind if we cross?

What's this?

The Austrians are coming along too.

I thought they were the competition.

- Wait.

- What?

Maybe we should leave the rope here.

The whole rope?

- We're going to need it.

- Maybe.

- Are we a team now?

- Not on your life.

Then why did you let us over?

So things wouldn't get boring.

In case we have to come back.

Now you're being overly cautious.

Up there, that's the way to Berlin.

- It stinks without crampons.

- Who needs them?

- They Austrians don't have any either.

- Yeah, that does help.

What's with those sissies?

Have they given up already?

Toni it'll be dark soon.

Let's find a nice b&b?

FIRST BIVOUAC - 3,100 M

We're more than halfway.

We might make it by tomorrow.

Yeah. And ahead of them!

Ladies and gentlemen,

the house presents this cake...

to celebrate the first ascent

of the Eiger North Face.

It won't be long now.

Tomorrow the Eiger will be conquered -

today you can consume a piece of it.

Bon appetit!

Give me one of those

darling climbers, please.

You're lucky, Madam.

Bon appetit!

If it were at least an Austrian.

Tomorrow evening...

we'll be down there surrounded by women...

basking in a hot bathtub...

like heroes.

You'll see.

You don't look good at all.

It's not a beauty contest.

I just need a little sleep.

A little sleep.

Well?

Did you take care of the film?

Yes, it's all on its way to Berlin.

See, that's how I like it.

Want a taste?

Carved it out of the Eiger

with the sweat of my own brow.

It's delicious.

Being there when history is being written

gives you the shivers too.

Or am I wrong?

It's possible.

Maybe you know me better than I do.

Likely.

And thanks to what?

Well trained tool.

Wake me if there's an avalanche.

And turn down the wind.

SUNDAY, JULY 19 - 6:05 A.M.

- Morning.

- Morning.

Come here.

No.

That's it, Willy.

We're going back down.

I'm fine.

You just need to wake up.

Willy, you need a doctor.

I'm fine.

You'll never summit like that, Willy, never.

Shut up, Edi! Don't ever say that again...

Are you crazy?

What's with you?

Have you lost your mind?

I need to get up there.

It's no use.

Look, the doctor is down there.

There's nothing down there.

Nothing.

Just up there.

Wake up, then you'll see it too.

That one is Angerer, right?

Have a look.

Left of that funny spike.

Yes. He's acting strange.

The guides say we can forget today.

And at this pace,

they won't make it tomorrow either.

That means bivouacking twice more?

Yes.

The weather isn't changing. So,

no summit push today.

C'mon, let's have a drink.

What's wrong?

It must be Karl and Max' things.

Your compatriot from Munich?

Yes.

My condolences.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Take care!

How's Angerer doing anyway?

He's not faking it, that's for sure.

Can you see anything?

More or less.

It looks like they're one team now.

But one is in bad shape.

C'mon, wake up!

Quick, tie a tourniquet!

You should have taken your own route.

You really should have.

Sh*t, sh*t!

We have to turn around.

Turn around, why?

Because he won't make it to the top.

If we don't hurry,

he'll bleed to death.

Listen, I can manage.

You keep going.

I'll rope him down alone.

I'll manage.

- Alone?

- I can do it.

- Don't be ridiculous, you'll never manage.

- I can do it.

- It's a good idea.

- I'll manage.

It's a very good idea.

And we go on.

To the summit.

If we leave the two of them alone,

they'll both die.

Alright then,

we'll do it together.

We'll go up together.

We'll pull him up with us.

We can do it.

Don't be silly.

This is screwed,

and we both know it.

Why did I listen to you?

We should just leave you behind.

It would serve you right, Willy.

Our only chance is over the summit.

Forget the summit!

It beats going down here.

We'll cross over the west ridge and get help.

We don't know what awaits us up there,

and by the time we get down,

he'll be dead.

I promise you that.

We have to get to the top.

We have to keep going.

Why did I listen to you?

SECOND BIVOUAC - 3,250 M

Then pull him out of the meeting!

Tell him the tables are turning.

Yes, of course, I'll wait.

Is something wrong?

It's over, mission aborted.

What?

Retreat.

The Salzburger bailed out.

Yes, I'm still here.

Hello, boss.

Listen, I can't keep it together.

Those two don't care

about the politics anyway.

It would have been hard

to fashion them into German heroes.

Yes, thanks.

See you back in Berlin.

- Are we leaving too?

- Yes, it looks like it.

Shouldn't we stay and report on

what happens up there?

I don't want to patronize you, child,

but you either need a glorious triumph...

or a horrible tragedy.

An unspectacular retreat...

is nothing more than a few lines on page 3.

There's no need to stay for that.

MONDAY, JULY 20

Whoever said it's faster going down!

We're in for a snowstorm.

Sh*t.

Over this way.

This way!

In this storm

they won't have made much progress.

Do you think so?

I'm certain.

Let's just hope...

they've found a decent place to bivouac.

Otherwise...

Maybe I should postpone my departure.

It might be worth it to stay.

I'm a reporter, what do you expect?

Are you not also human?

From time to time.

Maybe my nose is wrong this time.

THIRD BIVOUAC - 3,170 M

Don't fall asleep or you'll freeze!

TUESDAY, JULY 21 - 5:20 A.M.

Where are you?

For heaven's sake, child!

What are you doing up this early?

You'll catch your death of cold.

There are people on the wall.

They're somewhere near the Rote Fluh,

that's 200 m away from here,

we're almost on the east ridge here.

They'll never hear you in this wind.

We'd have to go over

to gallery window 38.

Here it is.

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