The Eiger (3 970 m) is the easternmost peak of the Jungfrau massif in the Bernese Alps. The summit which reaches almost 4000 meters over the sea level can be ascended by two various routes in two or three days. Either through the picturesque Mittellegi Ridge (Mittellegigrat) via the Mittellegi hut. The ascent starts at the railway station Eissmeer in the glacier valley on the south of the mountain. The second possible route called Mittellegi Integral starts directly in Grindenwald. It offers an option to overnight in the alpine hut Ostegghutte en route to the summit.
The north wall of the Eiger steeped in stories and tragedies is right in your plain sight while ascending the mountain. If you have never seen a similar place before it just makes you to hold the breath. The 1 800 meters steep wall leaves an indelible memory…
Date
July, August
Price for ascent
1 600 €
2 200 € (Mittellegi Integral)
2 950 € The Bernese Trilogy (Eiger, Mönch, Junfrau)
Participants
1 person
Difficulty
Advanced. The ascent requires a climber capable of seconding rock pitches (Alpine IV) often even with the crampons. En route the Mittellegi Integral the 5+ UIAA climbing and mountaineering abilities are requiered.
Price includes
guiding by a professional mountain guide
Does not include
transportation, the accomodation, food and lifts / cable car costs of the mountain guide, climbing and safety equipment, insurance
Tour schedule
The ascent route via Mittellegigrat starts at the railway station Eismeer. First the Challfirn glacier is traveresed, followed by the approach to the alpine hut Mittelegihutte to overnight. On the following day the ascent continues via the picturesque ridge to the summit of the Eiger. The descent is done via Jungfraujoch.
The Mitellegi Integral route starts in Grindenwald. The first overnight is in the alpine hut Ostegghutte reached by “via ferrata”. The following day the route continues on the ridge demanding sufficient climbing skills. The second night is spent in the alpine hut Mittellegihutte. The last day the approach to the summit of the Eiger is made, followed by the descent via Jungfraujoch.
A bit of climbing history
The first ascent of the Eiger was made by two Swiss mountain guides Christian Almer and Peter Bohren and the Irishman Charles Barrington on the 11th August 1858. The Japanese mountaineer Yuko Maki and the Swiss mountain guides Fritz Ammater, Samuel Brawand and Fritz Steuri ascended the Eiger via Mittellegi ridge on the 10th September 1921. The first women who stood atop the mountain was the British mountaineer Lucy Walker on the 25th July 1864.
