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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What happened on Reiss and Blach's attempt to climb the North Face in 1950?
(a) Reiss became ill.
(b) Blach broke his arm.
(c) Reiss injured his head.
(d) Blach lost his pack.

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

3. Where did Allmen call to Toni Kurz and his party from?
(a) A window to the railroad.
(b) A hut on the mountain.
(c) An opposite ridge.
(d) A tent across an ice field.

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

5. Why did Heckmair and Vörg have modern equipment for their climb?
(a) They had pre-sold a story about the climb to a newspaper.
(b) They had borrowed money.
(c) They had spent their savings.
(d) They had found a sponsor.

6. What did the first description of the North Face from above say about it?
(a) That climbing it would be a challenge soon overcome.
(b) That climbing it would be a challenge for future decades.
(c) That it was beautiful and impossible to climb.
(d) That it would be an easy climb.

7. What does the author say that true climbers want, in his criticism of media coverage of attempts to climb the North Face?
(a) Solitude.
(b) Accomplishment.
(c) Glory.
(d) Honor.

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

9. What aspect of climbing does Harrer want to focus on in his book?
(a) The nature conserevation side of climbing.
(b) The technical side of climbing.
(c) The human side of climbing.
(d) The heroic side of climbing.

10. On Rebitsch and Vörg's return to the base of the North Face later in the month, what do they decide to do?
(a) Create a well-stocked camp a day's climb up the mountain.
(b) Stock food and water at good locations up the slope.
(c) Place ropes across treacherous areas of their intended climb.
(d) Carve footholds in the lower part of the steep slope.

11. What did Von Allmen make, as he waited for Toni Kurz and his group of climbers?
(a) Coffee.
(b) Hot chocolate.
(c) Tea.
(d) Hot cider.

12. What did the climbers do that blocked their path back down?
(a) They created a base camp that interfered with the path.
(b) They took away a rope from a traverse.
(c) They inadvertently caused a rockslide that covered a climbable path.
(d) They removed pitons from the rocks as they climbed.

13. Where did Harrer and Kasparek camp after their first day climbing the North Face?
(a) At the Flatiron.
(b) Below the Second Ice Field.
(c) At the Death Bivouac.
(d) Below the Third Ice Field.

14. How far did Schlunegger and Krähenbühl climb in 1946 before having to climb back down?
(a) Above the First Ice Field.
(b) To the Spider.
(c) Above the Second Ice Field.
(d) Above the Ramp.

15. Where did Heckmair and Vörg stay while waiting to start their climb?
(a) At a hotel.
(b) In a tent at the bottom of the North Face.
(c) In a tent secluded from the others to remain unnoticed.
(d) In a camp in the railroad passage.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who was the first mountaineer to climb the Eiger?

2. What problem did Heckmair have during the night?

3. In what month did Toni Kurz and his party begin their climb up the North Face?

4. What year was the third successful climb up the North Face?

5. Preparing for the final ascent, what did the climbers do with their unnecessary provisions?

(see the answer keys)

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