I first comment on John Harlin III’s new book The Eiger Obsession a week or two back when there was an excerpt from the book on Outside Online. Now, GreatOutdoors.com is getting in on the action with a brief introduction to the book as well as the IMAX film that acts as a companion to it. You’ll also find two audio interviews with Harlin as he discusses what The Eiger, and climbing it means to him.
For those who don’t know, Harlin’s father, John Harlin II, was one of the great climbers in the Alps druing the late 50’s and early 60’s. He put up new routes on a number of faces, and was as well known for his climbing as his “movie star” good looks. John Harlin II had a fixation on putting up a route on the Eiger that became known ad the Eiger Direct, which was essentially climbing a line straight to the top instead of winding all over the face as the Classic Route does. While attempting just such a route, with climbing legends Dougal Haston and Chris Bonnington no less, he lost his life. The team ultimately completed the climb, but he was not there to see it. Since then, John Harlin III has always had the shadow of the Eiger looming over him, and he knw that eventually he would have to climb it. The book follows him through that climb.
I’m currently reading the book and hope to have a review up within the next week. As I’m currenlty halfway through it however, I can safely say that it’s a great read with a nice mix of biography for Harlin’s father as well as well as his own struggles on the Eiger as he faces those demons of the mountain that killed his father. Good stuff.
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I’ll definitely have to pick this book up, wasn’t aware it had been released although I did know about the upcoming IMAX movie.
I actually worked with John briefly back in 2000. Actually went rock climbing with him, albeit at a rock climbing gym and not the real thing.
He’s a great guy. I can’t wait to read the book and see the IMAX movie.
Awesome! That must have been a cool experience working with him and getting to climb with him, even if it were on an indoor climbing wall.
Can’t wait to see the IMAX film myself, but it’s not playing in my area yet.