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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When do Rebitsch and Vörg finally attempt their climb?
(a) In the last week of July.
(b) In the third week of August.
(c) In the first week of August.
(d) In the second week of August.

2. Why did the Austrians climbers Waschak and Forstenlechner stop climbing and wait at the Spider during their ascent?
(a) Waschak felt ill.
(b) They ran out of supplies.
(c) They didn't want to finish the ascent before the Swiss.
(d) Forstenlechner was injured.

3. What did the press call the North Face?
(a) Todesgesicht.
(b) Unbesteigbar.
(c) Todesberg.
(d) Mordwand.

4. In the summer of 1936, what caused Toni Kurz and his group of climbers to turn back?
(a) One climber's pack was lost.
(b) One climber began getting ill.
(c) One climber was injured in a fall.
(d) One climber was hit by a stone.

5. What did Fritz crave and lack, after climbing the Spider?
(a) Cigarettes.
(b) Dry clothes.
(c) Fresh fruit.
(d) Coffee.

6. What did Kasparek do to make progress over the Second Ice Field easier?
(a) He hacked steps into the ice with an axe.
(b) He sprinkled salt on the ice.
(c) He crushed the top layer of ice with a grinding tool.
(d) He strung a rope across the ice field.

7. Who was the first mountaineer to climb the Eiger?
(a) Charles Barrington.
(b) Brendon Messering.
(c) Andres Monteau.
(d) John Shaeffer.

8. What qualities does Harrer say are necessary to climb the White Spider?
(a) Enthusiasm, courage, daring, and focus.
(b) Honesty, openness, courage, and honor.
(c) Courage, playfulness, self-confidence, and pride.
(d) Patience, calm, sense, and courage.

9. How tall was the icy gully that Buhl climbed the day after climbing the Spider?
(a) 70 feet.
(b) 30 feet.
(c) 90 feet.
(d) 50 feet.

10. How does Harrer view change and the Eiger mountain?
(a) He sees the Eiger as resisting change and changing slowly.
(b) He sees the Eiger as changing in short bursts.
(c) He sees the Eiger as always changing.
(d) He sees the Eiger as ever changing.

11. Where did Otto and Sepp Maag join up with Buhl and his partner?
(a) The Third Ice Field.
(b) The Mittellegi Hut.
(c) The Rote Fluh.
(d) The Second Ice Field.

12. When did Pierre Julien and Maurice Coutin climb the North Face?
(a) June 1952.
(b) July 1952.
(c) August 1952.
(d) September 1952.

13. How did Harrer survive the avalanche at the Spider?
(a) He held himself with an axe.
(b) He was held by his piton.
(c) He was partially sheltered by an overhang.
(d) He held on to Kasparek.

14. How did the mountaineer who first climbed the Eiger write his account?
(a) In an article in the Alpine Journal.
(b) In a short, self-published book.
(c) In a letter to the Alpine Journal.
(d) In an article for the London Times.

15. How does Maix react to Harrer's proposed book about the Eiger?
(a) With encouragement, but also frustration.
(b) Negatively.
(c) With concern and caution.
(d) Enthusiastically.

Short Answer Questions

1. When was the first attempt to climb the North Face?

2. Who led the climb down the mountain after the ascent?

3. What happened on Reiss and Blach's attempt to climb the North Face in 1950?

4. How far did Schlunegger and Krähenbühl climb in 1946 before having to climb back down?

5. Where did Rebitch and Vörg end their third day?

(see the answer keys)

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