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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How far did Italian climber Walter Bonatti get in his solo attempt to climb the North Face in 1963?

2. What doubts were raised about Toni Hiebeler, Toni Kinschofer, Anderl Mannhardt, and Walter Almberger's climb of the North Face in 1961?

3. What nationality were Erich Vanis, Hans Ratay, and Karl Lugmayer?

4. What antagonistic action did observers note the climbers doing?

5. What does Harrer suggest happened on the climb?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Harrer call the climb by Radovan KuchaÅ™ and Zdeno Zibrin cautious?

2. What were Nothdurft and Mayers' families reactions to the tragedy?

3. What contradictions are there in Corti's accounts of Nothdurft during the climb?

4. Describe the attempt to climb the North Face by Brian Nally and Barry Brewster in 1962.

5. Describe the climb of the first women to attempt the North Face.

6. After bivouacking above the Spider, how did Helmuth Drachsler and Walter Gstrein reach the summit?

7. Describe Erich Friedli, Jr. and Arnold Heinen's climb in 1963.

8. What was the weather like during Erich Vanis, Hans Ratay, and Karl Lugmayer's first night on the mountain in 1952?

9. What is Harrer's opinion about Corti's story that the two other climbers went on to send back help, leaving Corti behind after he was injured?

10. What happened when Derungs and Albrecht threw their extra equipment over the edge of the mountain after their last bivouac?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the idea of rescue in Harrer's book.

1) Why are rescue attempts not guaranteed for climbers? How does climbing affect the local guides and governments who participate in rescue attempts?

2) How does Harrer view rescuers and rescue attempts? Are his portrayals of rescuers romanticized?

3) Should climbers expect rescue? What aspects of human nature make rescue attempts inevitable? What happens when rescue attempts are impossible? Discuss specific rescue attempts in the book.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the accomplishment of firsts in Harrer's book.

1) What firsts does Harrer seem to feel are most important? Does Harrer's position as one of the first party to climb the North Face change his view on firsts?

2) Why does Harrer's final chapter focus on firsts? How does he view the prospective first direct route up the North Face differently from earlier firsts?

3) Are "first" accomplishments admirable? Why are they notable?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the geography of the mountain in Harrer's book.

1) How is the mountain's geography important? Why does the North Face interest and entice climbers?

2) How important is it to know the geography of the North Face, according to Harrer? Why is it important?

3) How does the mountain's geography change, and what affect does this have on the attempts to climb it? How does the actual climbing and human activity affect the geography of the mountain?

(see the answer keys)

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