Eiger
It is the easternmost peak of a ridge crest that extends across the Mönch to the Jungfrau, constituting one of the most emblematic sights of the Swiss Alps. The mountain is most notable for its nearly 1,800-metre-high (5,900 ft) north face of rock and ice, the biggest north face in the Alps, which has been highly publicized for the many tragedies involving climbing expeditions.
- Location
- Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
- Notable feature
- North face, the biggest north face in the Alps
- Nickname
- Mordwand (murder(ous) wall)
Lore & Background
The three mountains of the ridge are commonly referred to as the Virgin (Jungfrau), the Monk (Mönch), and the Ogre (Eiger).
Reader's Guide
The Eiger is a central figure in Alpine mountaineering history, primarily due to its immense north face, which is one of the three great north faces of the Alps, along with the Matterhorn and the Grandes Jorasses. The mountain's notoriety for danger is underscored by the many fatalities on its north face, leading to the grim nickname Mordwand. Despite its perilous reputation, the Eiger is accessible to non-climbers via the Jungfrau Railway tunnel, which runs inside the mountain and includes two internal stations with viewing windows. The Eiger, together with the Mönch and Jungfrau, forms a renowned and emblematic sight of the Swiss Alps, and the surrounding Jungfrau-Aletsch area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Did You Know?
- The Eiger's north face is the biggest north face in the Alps, rising nearly 1,800 meters.
- A railway tunnel runs inside the mountain, with two internal stations (Eigerwand and Eismeer) providing viewing windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Eiger's north face so famous?
The north face rises nearly 1,800 metres of sheer rock and ice, making it the largest north-facing wall in the entire Alps. Its extreme difficulty and the long trail of fatal climbing attempts it has claimed have made it one of the most notorious routes in mountaineering history.
Why is the Eiger nicknamed Mordwand?
Mordwand translates to 'murderous wall' and refers specifically to the Eiger's deadly north face. The name captures the mountain's long record of fatal accidents and the sheer danger climbers have faced on that route since the earliest attempts.
Where exactly is the Eiger located?
The Eiger stands in the Bernese Oberland region of central Switzerland, forming the easternmost point of a ridge crest that extends westward through the Mönch to the Jungfrau. It overlooks the valleys surrounding Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen.
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