Eiger project concluded successfully

Three Swiss and one German climber on Friday successfully reached the summit of the Eiger, concluding two days of round-the-clock live coverage of the ascent of the North Face.

Three Swiss and one German climber on Friday successfully reached the summit of the Eiger, concluding two days of round-the-clock live coverage of the ascent of the North Face.

Swiss television, which masterminded the project, showed the mountaineers Hansruedi Gertsch, Evelyne Binsack, Stephan Siegrist and Ralf Dujmovits standing on the summit, against the background of an immaculately blue sky and a breathtaking view of the Swiss Alps.

The two teams concluded the classic Heckmair route at 15:32 local time, completing a climb which had begun at 9:09 the previous day and included one overnight bivouac on the rock face.

Weather conditions were ideal, allowing for a close-up observation of modern-day rock climbing.

Summing up their experiences, all four climbers said they were really happy with how things had gone in this project.

The climbers had been carrying 5-kilogram (11-pound) transmitters in their backpacks to transmit pictures, and they also provided their own commentary.

Fixed cameras were placed at intervals on the 1,800-meter (5,905-foot) rock face to complement the climbers’ video footage.

On Thursday, Swiss Sports Minister Adolf Ogi joined journalists at Grindelwald, the resort situated at the foot of the Eiger, and expressed his support for the broadcast. He said it gave television viewers the opportunity of learning more about what rock climbing is all about.

From staff and wire reports.