A trustworthy, weathered troup is quickly assembled: Finskei's brother Reinhard, who was involved in the planning of the hike around the graveyard, is instantly in flames. Soon the team of pathfinders, mountaineer groupies and the "Yak"-keeper is on its way to base camp. Acclimatisation is waiting there for them, like an old friend.

The equipment is as excellent as the numerous sponsor's budgets allow. The "Yak" is well trained and carries two full emergency sausages. Who could have guessed at this point that it might be these two sausages that would lead to tragedy and disaster? Nobody could have. Peacefully and unawares, the team routinely pitched the tent and posed for a picture.

But these seemingly happy faces only deceive the naive and unexperienced. For even these seasoned experts feel the immense stakes of this historic moment, towering even more forbidding than the sheer wall of the Österberg. It is not the often attempted route up the Doblerstrasse they will seek, but the mountain's dangerous western face. They will approach along the river Ammer - Finskei is leading his troupe into immense danger. And they follow.

Next