MovieChat Forums > The Eiger Sanction (1975) Discussion > Climbing gear

Climbing gear

posted 9 years ago by Riding46
5 replies | jump to latest

For any climbers out there that have seen this, I just want to see how practical the kit that Clint & co took up the mountains.
They seemed to be wearing just a thick jacket, jeans, boots and a hard hat! One backpack each for 4 days (min) hard climbing, no sleeping bags, no tents and minimal ground crew support. The ropes, although sturdy enough during the climb could be cut with a Swiss army knife. Having had a Swiss army knife I had to laugh, those things are useless at cutting the tops of carrots. All in all it just seemed a bit unrealistic but then I accept it is a film.

[–] Sidewindr 9 years ago

The kit looked correct for the mid 70's, they were not up there for 4 days, only one night and their original plan was a 2 day ascent, the descent would have probably been down another easier face or if not it would have probably taken one day to descend. They had sleeping bags and cooking apparatus as well as food. You don't need a lot for 2 nights, the Eiger is nothing like Everest and more like the Matterhorn.

Genuine (not fake) Swiss army knives are razor sharp and keep their edge quite well, they can cut a climbing rope quite easily. It sounds like your "Swiss army knife" was a cheap knock off.

[–] Riding46 9 years ago

The bloke down the market said it was genuine, but he asked me for my star sign, when I told him he said it was the same as his muvvers and gave me an extra quid off the price.

[–] Riding46 9 years ago

Have you ever climbed the Eiger yourself, if so, could you tell us all about it or any other climb you went on?
Did you take a genuine (not fake) Swiss army knife with you? How much did yours cost you and I hope you weren't ripped off either.

[–] Sidewindr 8 years ago

You claim to be an expert with no substantiation, I provided an educated opinion .. I have not climbed the Eiger et. al but I have about 30 ears of climbing experience, I have never been to Europe.

[–] Chainring 8 years ago

Even modern climbing ropes can easily be cut with a Swiss Army knife, especially when the rope is under high load.

Your knife sounds like a piece of garbage.