Climbing the Eiger, 2005

We could see 20 feet, just enough to follow the foot prints in the snow. After a mile or so of this we negotiated a steep crevassed descent into a large col between the Monch and the Jungfrau. We knew we were close to the Monchjochhutte at this point and after cresting a ridge we could see a small building. It wasn’t big enough for the hut but it had to be close by. When the visibility allowed we saw the Monchjochutte looming in front of us. We dropped our packs outside and stumbled in the back door at 7:30 p.m. We had been climbing for 13 hours. We found our way to the dining area where they were still serving dinner and ladled down an entire serving bowl of soup intended for a whole table. The next morning after a leisurely breakfast we hiked down the well marked trail to the Jungfraujoch station and caught the train back down to Grund. We had climbed the Eiger.

Post Script:
I totaled up all the gear I left on the Eiger including the two ropes I donated as clothesline to some friends in Switzerland due to the many rock cuts. Gear lost to the Eiger…$300--Alpine experience…priceless.