Eiger North Face terrace - drink wine staring at the murder wall

The Eiger Nordwand - the 'murder wall' - killed dozens of climbers attempting its 1,800m vertical face before Heinrich Harrer's team finally summited in 1938. From Wengen's hotel terraces, you stare directly at this infamous face while drinking Bernese Oberland wine. The contrast between your comfortable glass and the hellish rockface 5km away is Alpine drama at its finest.

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Find the Telescopes at Kleine Scheidegg - Spot Climbers on Mordwand Adventure · Free

   The murder wall that killed 64+ climbers

   The Eiger North Face - the "Mordwand" (murder wall in German). Since 1935, at least 64 climbers have died attempting this face. The Nordwand is 1,800 meters of sheer rock and ice with a 41-degree gradient at the steepest sections. Walk to the terrace of Restaurant Eigernordwand at Kleine Scheidegg (2,070m). Take the Wengernalpbahn from Wengen - it's a 15-minute ride. Use the telescopes to scan for climbers - they look like ants on a vertical highway. The first successful ascent was July 24, 1938, by Anderl Heckmair, Heinrich Harrer, Fritz Kasparek, and Ludwig Vörg - and it took them 3 days.

   Backup: If telescopes are broken or weather blocks the view, head inside Restaurant Eigernordwand - the panoramic windows frame the North Face from every seat, and they have historic climbing photos on the walls.

   Log Memory
2. 2 Toast the Climbers with Fendant - The View Hinterstoisser Never Saw Wine · Price: moderate

   1936: 4 men died on retreat. You're standing where they dreamed of reaching.

   In August 1936, Andreas Hinterstoisser, Toni Kurz, Willy Angerer, and Edi Rainer died on this face during a retreat in severe weather. They never made it to where you're sitting. The first successful ascent didn't happen until 1938. Order a glass of Fendant (Swiss Chasselas from Valais) while staring at the North Face at Restaurant Eigernordwand, Kleine Scheidegg (newly renovated in 2024, 140 à la carte seats, panoramic windows facing the Nordwand). This wine - crisp, mineral, high acidity - is what Swiss alpinists have been drinking in mountain huts since the golden age of mountaineering. Sit by the window with the Eiger North Face in view. Ask your server about the 1938 first ascent - locals know the story. Raise your glass to Heckmair, Harrer, Kasparek, and Vörg - the four who succeeded where 64+ others died.

   Backup: If Fendant isn't available, order any Swiss Chasselas or alpine white. The menu also features Asian specialties alongside Swiss classics if you want food with your wine.

   Log Memory
3. 3 Read the Climbing Plaques - The Mordwand's Death Toll History · Free

   64 names. 64 families. One mountain.

   "Mordwand" means "murder wall" in German. Since 1935, at least 64 climbers have died on the Eiger North Face. The most famous tragedy: 1936, when Toni Kurz hung dying on a rope just 100 meters from rescuers who couldn't reach him. His last words: "I can't go on." Find the climbing memorial plaques around Kleine Scheidegg station and the Eigernordwand restaurant terrace. Memorial plaques list the names and dates. Every name is someone who looked at this face and thought, "I can climb that." Read the names. Note the dates - some are clustered in avalanche years. Look up at the North Face and imagine attempting it with 1930s gear - no Gore-Tex, no modern ice axes, no weather forecasts. Just rope, courage, and luck.

   Backup: If plaques are covered by snow, ask restaurant staff about the 1936 Toni Kurz tragedy or the 1938 first ascent. They'll tell you the stories - everyone here knows the Nordwand's history.

   Log Memory
4. 4 Spot the Death Bivouac and Spider - Key Sections of the 1938 Route Adventure · Free · Optional

   The snowfield that caught the first ascent team in an avalanche

   Two features define the 1938 first ascent route: the Death Bivouac (where the team spent a brutal night) and the Spider - a snowfield high on the face. During the first ascent, Heckmair, Harrer, Kasparek, and Vörg were caught in an avalanche while climbing the Spider. All four had enough strength to resist being swept off the face. From the terrace telescopes at Kleine Scheidegg, scan the upper North Face. Use the telescope to locate the Spider - it's a distinctive snowfield shaped like a spider with legs radiating down gullies. Below it, the Death Bivouac is a small ledge where teams spend the night. If there are climbers on the face, watch for them crossing the Spider - avalanche danger is highest there.

   Backup: Restaurant Eigernordwand has a route map showing the 1938 climb path, Death Bivouac location, and Spider position. Ask staff to point out these features on the map or through the windows.

   Log Memory