North Face

Toni Kurz and Andreas Hinterstoisser decide to pursue the first ascent of the Eiger's North Face after hearing of a failed prior attempt. They quit their army service and travel to the Bernese Alps to chase the record, with Luise Fellner and Henry Arau assigned to cover the story.

Luise Fellner and Henry Arau join the expedition as reporters and stay at the Kleine Scheidegg Hotel with other journalists and tourists. The alpinists camp in the valley while French and Italian teams assess routes and prepare their own plans.

Toni and Andi begin their ascent, moving a rope across a challenging rock face that becomes the fixed line for the traverse. Spectators watch from the hotel balcony as progress is reported, and the ridge route earns the name Hinterstoisser Traverse in Andi’s honor.

After crossing, Andi removes the fixed rope, sparking worry that it may be needed for descents. Toni warns that removing the line could jeopardize their chances if conditions worsen.

Willy Angerer is struck by falling rock and sustains a concussion. Despite the injury, he insists that he and Edi Rainer continue their ascent alongside the German party.

Toni and Andi abandon their summit bid to help Willy and Edi down the North Face as a blizzard closes in. The rescue effort continues despite worsening weather, while Luise’s perspective on the unfolding events grows more tense.

An avalanche sweeps the traverse, killing Edi and Willy. Toni and Andi struggle to retreat, and Andi becomes left dangling from the rope at the traversed route.

Andi cuts his rope and falls to his death, hoping Toni will have a better chance of survival. Toni remains pinned on a small rock shelf, fighting to keep his grip and prevent a further failure of the piton and rope.

Luise convinces a rescue team to attempt a retrieval, but they must wait for better weather. Toni spends the night on the rock shelf with frostbite and dwindling strength while rescue plans await daylight.

Rescuers access the North Face via a door in the Jungfrau Railway tunnel and attempt to lower Toni about 60 meters to safety. Two ropes are tied together because the main rope is too short, and a knot jams a carabiner, leaving Toni suspended and nearly overwhelmed by cold.

Luise climbs up to Toni's level and begs him not to give up, but he has no strength left. The rescue ends with Toni's death, leaving Luise to process the loss of both climbers and her own heartbreak.

Luise leaves Germany to work as a professional photographer in New York City, beginning a new life after the tragedy. The epilogue notes that in 1938 the Eiger was conquered by a German-Austrian party using Andi and Toni's route through the Hinterstoisser Traverse.