The Eiger – a mountain myth, a legend, a place of longing. Its North wall: one of the most famous faces in the world, certainly the most notorious in the Alps. Its ridge is an icon in itself and probably one of the most beautiful mountain tours on the planet.
The photograph was taken during a photo shoot with the two athletes Caro North and Steph Davis on the famous Mittellegi ridge.
An unusual rope team: Caro, a young German alpinist and prospective mountain guide; cheeky, unusual, full of ambitions. Steph Davis, the American Free Solo and Basejump icon; truly fascinating, experienced and far beyond any norms. The two form the front team. They were accompanied by cameraman Thomas Senf and the mountain guide Juerg Ruf – the two can be recognized as the rear team.
The weather and light situation was almost perfect this late afternoon; the already razor-sharp ridge gained even more drama due to the clouds in the South wall. To the right of the picture, the exit ice field dominates and thus the last meters of the North wall. In the background, the equally famous Schilthorn and its cable car can be spotted.
Christian Gisi

About the shot

Biography
A mixture of fascination and passion for mountains has carried me through life since my childhood. Highly privileged and deeply grateful for the opportunity to move in nature and capture moments for myself and others.
I have worked with some of the very best athletes over the last few years: First and foremost the absolute exceptional talent Dani Arnold - Swiss speed and free solo specialist with numerous records at the Matterhorn, Grand Jorasses, Badile etc. But also with Jérémie Heitz, David Lama, Stephan Sigrist, Steph Davis and others.
And although I am aware of the commercial value that the pictures have for the athletes, I have never seen myself as more than a simple spectator and admirer in all their incredible performances.
Born and raised in Switzerland. Originally M.A. in sociology and communication science; in my professional career as a specialist for content marketing I developed a very high affinity and a keen sense for extraordinary moments and stories.