The International Rescue Team and Epilogue Summary and Analysis

"The International Rescue Team" describes the scene of the tragedy on the ground. Gawkers filled the local town. Longhi was seen to fall, but rescue attempts were declared impossible. However, experienced climbers knew that new steel cables afforded an opportunity. Still, the technology was new, and there were clashes of personality on top of technical difficulties.

A team brought a winch and steel cables to the Eiger, and sought to find a location to establish it. After two attempts, Alfred Hellepart was finally lowered to the site of the bivouac tent. Hellepart lowered down the sheer precipice on a thin steel cable, awed with the sight. Finally, he spotted Corti, calling for rescue. Hellepart had no cigarettes but was able to throw Corti some chocolate, which Corti gobbled down. Hellepart repositioned...