The early morning is still pitch black outside as the men leave the cabin. The goal is to be up on the mountain by mid-morning so that they can be back before the early afternoon. Usually the afternoon sun causes dangerous landslides that need to be avoided. It is bitter cold, but Rudi realizes that the darkness is not complete. Gradually, his eyes adjust to the faint starlight. It is a gentle climb at first, and Rudi brings up the rear, as a porter. They continue in this fashion for an hour.
Just before dawn, the climbers leave the mild ridge and climb to a second one. They soon reach the mountain wall and rope up for "real" climbing. There are large granite blocks, like stairs, and the route is nearly.....
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