Kleine Scheidegg - where tourists watched the Eiger deaths

How to Complete

3 steps curated by Wine Memories

1. 📜 1

   Identify the Death Bivouac

   history Free

   The "Death Bivouac" is a narrow ledge at approximately 3,300m where Toni Kurz froze in 1936. From the restaurant terrace facing the Eiger North Face, bring binoculars and look for the horizontal crack about 2/3 up the face. Ask any mountain guide or the station master to point it out.

   🔄 BACKUP: If weather obscures the face, the station has historical photos inside marking the bivouac location.

   🍷 Log Memory
2. 📜 2

   Find the 1936 Rescue Window

   history Free

   In 1936, rescuers reached Toni Kurz through a window in this tunnel, but couldn't save him - he died 100m from safety. Walk to the Eigerwand railway station tunnel entrance (10 min walk from Kleine Scheidegg station). Look for the memorial plaque. The window is now sealed but marked.

   🔄 BACKUP: If the walk is too far, ask the conductor on the Jungfrau train to point out the window as you pass.

   🍷 Log Memory
3. 🍷 3

   Toast the First Ascent Team

   wine $$

   Order a carafe of Swiss wine (CHF 35-45) at the terrace restaurant facing the north face and toast Anderl Heckmair, Ludwig Vörg, Heinrich Harrer, and Fritz Kasparek - the first to climb the face in 1938. Say their names aloud. Look at the wall they conquered. Understand why it took 64 deaths before success.

   🔄 BACKUP: If restaurant is closed, bring your own bottle from the valley - the view doesn't require a purchase.

   🍷 Log Memory

Insider Tips

• ✦

  Bring binoculars - you can trace the classic 1938 Heckmair route

• ✦

  The hotel served as climber base camp since 1912

• ✦

  The railway station was used in the 1936 rescue attempt - the guide will point it out