In a tragic event, a climber found himself dangling just out of reach of his rescuers, uttering his final chilling words.
Toni Kurz, born in 1913 in Berchtesgaden, developed his climbing skills in the Bavarian mountains from a young age. Starting as a metalworker apprentice, he honed his climbing abilities, eventually joining the elite German mountain infantry in 1934. Despite his early climbing success, Kurz faced a harrowing ordeal hanging off an icy cliff, conveying his heartbreaking message to the rescue team.
Kurz’s fatal journey began when he and his adventure partner, Andreas Hinterstoisser, embarked on a challenging climb on the North Face of the Eiger, known as ‘Die Mordwand’ (the Murder Wall). Facing treacherous conditions without adequate gear, the team encountered unforeseen challenges, leading to a tragic series of events that claimed the lives of their companions.
Stranded on the mountain, Kurz was the last survivor. With help in sight, he struggled to reach his rescuers but tragically fell short, succumbing to the elements after days of clinging to the icy precipice. The shocking incident resonated across Europe and inspired literary works, immortalizing the climbers’ legacy through named features on the mountain.
