Hardwear Sessions

This morning, we received an announcement from Ueli's webmaster:

New speed record through the Heckmair Route in the Eiger North face in: 2 hours, 47 minutes, 33 seconds.

Again Ueli Steck sets up a new speed record in the Eiger North face.

Yesterday, on Wednesday February 13, 2008, the 31 years old Swiss alpinist Ueli Steck climbed once more the Eiger North face. After his record set up only last year climbing the classic Heckmair Route, he wanted to go for the record once more.

Ueli Steck: "I was sure that I could be a bit faster than last year. At the moment I am preparing my next expedition, which will start soon. My training is moving on perfectly. I worked a lot on my endurance, which I could improve severely.

"Also I changed my strategy. When I set up the new record last year, I belayed myself 3 times with 15 meters of rope. Yesterday I made it without belaying at all. I just used a rope loop, which allowed me to hook on occasionally. All the equipment was about 3 kg lighter than during my speed record of 2007. Further, I reduced my body weight up to 5 kg. All in all I was about 8 kg lighter yesterday than I was last year.

"There was plenty of snow in the lower part of the Eiger north face, which cost me a lot of energy. On the other hand I found great conditions from the "Schwieriger Riss" on. The technical very demanding passages were very dry and I was able to climb without gloves.

In the end I set up a new personal best in 2 hours, 47 minutes and 33 seconds. Luckily I had two friends, which can confirm this performance. They observed me from the foot of the Eiger north face and they confirmed my fast time, once I reached the summit.

"The legendary Car Lewis said once, that we should seek the competition with oneself. This time I won this competition with myself."

Ueli Steck is still to see on his tour with his slide show. Those lucky readers who just happen to be in Europe can catch Ueli on his tour. More information on: www.explora.ch or www.uelisteck.ch