Jeff Lowe's Pack Recovered After 20 Years on the Eiger

Posted: 03/29/2011 In Category: Outdoor Non-profit/Association

Industry News Release Written By: Jeff Lowe Metanoia Team

From the Deck of the Hotel Bellevue des Alpes, Kleine Scheidegg, Switzerland 

In 1991, after 9 harrowing days on the North Face of the Eiger, Jeff Lowe abandoned his backpack when he couldn't find any anchors at the end of his rope. Jeff untied and left the rope and his backpack behind as he free soloed the last 50 feet to the summit ridge where he was plucked off the mountain by a helicopter, just hours before a big storm would engulf the great North Face. 

Last friday, Josh Wharton spent over 2 hours chopping Jeff''s pack out of the ice and snow, high up on the North Face of the Eiger. Lowe was anxious to see the condition of the pack after 20 years on the mountain. Josh delivered the frozen, weather worn pack to Jeff on the deck of the Bellevue Hotel at Kleine Scheidegg. Chris Alstrin filmed both the excavation and the heroic delivery. Getting the frozen pack onto the helicopter was quite precarious for everyone involved. See the video by clicking here  Photo of the pack by David Black.

Jeff was relieved to have this bit of unfinished business taken care of after all these years. Leaving the pack was contrary to Jeff's Alpine Style ascents, but necessary for his own survival on that day. Josh also delivered a Jumar and a Gibbs Ascender, and bits of rope cut away with the pack. 

The contents of the pack will be explored this weekend after it thaws completely. 

Great progress was made all last week and continues this week on the filming for Jeff Lowe's Metanoia on the North Face of the Eiger in Switzerland. Josh Wharton got his first look at Jeff Lowe's route, Metanoia, where it comes close to the Hinterstoisser Traverse and then again from high up on the mountain. Chris Alstrin was filming on the face, while Jeff and Greg Lowe did fly by's in a helicopter. 

Stay tuned for more videos from the Eiger! 

We are pleased to announce the generous support of individual backers on kickstarter.com where we raised $35,917. This money will be used to help fund helicopter and camera time on the North Face of the Eiger.

Support and sponsorship is still needed to complete the film. Join SIGG, Asolo, Lowe Alpine, Griwarent, Petzl, Mammut and many more as a Sponsor Jeff Lowe's Metanoia.  Visit our sponsor page here to see the full list of sponsors. If your company is interested in becoming a sponsor of Jeff Lowe's Metanoia, please contact Connie Self at info@jefflowemovie.com  or 208.630.4477

For more information, to see our trailer or to request sponsorship information please visit www.jefflowemovie.com  or contact us at info@jefflowemovie.com or 208.630.4477

Join/Like us on Facebook at Jeff Lowe’s Metanoia – Movie Page--

---

SNEWS® CHAT -- Have a comment, idea, retort, or an engaging thought that was inspired by this news release? Just click here to comment now.

---

All news release material provided by participating companies and organizations. SNEWS® is not responsible for posted content. Those using inappropriate language, making false statements, or otherwise abusing the section will be subject to intense SNEWS® scrutiny and could become the subject of a special SNEWS® investigative story. Keep it real, keep it accurate!

---