Was it anyones fault?

The events depicted in this film are based on real events, unlike those in K2 or Cliff Hanger.

The character of Luise, as far as I know, is completely fictitious and there was certainly no such person on the face during the rescue attempts. Likewise, the pre-story leading up to the climb, and all of the dialogue between the climbers, is fictitious but the climb itself is portrayed very accurate and generally true to what actually happened - though Hinterstoisser's demise is not correct (altered for dramatic effect - many believe needlessly).

Was anyone to blame? Not really. Although the film shows Hinterstioisser pulling out the traverse rope, there was good reason to do so, but it not being in place for the retreat was undoubtedly a crucial factor. Another major factor was Angerer's head injury. We don't know what caused that: the film shows it was rock knocked down by Kurz but it was most likely 'normal' rock fall, which racks the face once the sun is up and the ice starts melting. Should Kurz and Hinterstoisser have climbed up and off the face, leaving Angerer and Rainer to bivouac and await rescue? Possibly: but no-one had been higher on the face and it was not known at the time if an ascent was even feasible - especially with a fresh fall of snow on it from a vicious storm. And what about the local Guides: could they have done more? Not really. The face was in the middle of a storm and no rescues had been attempted on the wall until that that point, so what they did do was very brave and at considerable risk to themselves (in reality, one of the Guides actually climbed onto the shoulders of another in order to try and reach Kurz - an incredibly dangerous manoeuvre considering where they were); they could not have done more.

Should the four climbers have been on the wall in the first place? Well, they were attempting a first ascent and no first ascent happens unless people try it! As for the weather, they expected to be up and off within the good-weather window (they hadn't bargained on being longer on the climb than expected due to injury - and they also hadn't bargained on Hinterstoisser not being able to repeat the traverse in the event of retreat, or they would have left the rope in place).

We also have no record of any of the conversations that took place on the face other than those between Kurz and Albert von Allman (the station guard) or the Guides, so we don't know how they made their decisions or what really caused the injury. The only reason we know for sure what actually led to the fall and its aftermath is because Kurz was able to tell the guides whilst he had strength to do so; what happened before then is pure surmise and based on observations made through telescopes from the hotels whilst the climb was underway.

In reality, then, no-one can be blamed for what happened. All we can say is that the climb was made by incredibly brave men who fought the mountain and the weather - and everything that could be thrown at them - with great courage. And the guides are included in that because their rescue attempts were also very courageous. Kurz, however, stands out because he endured so much, did everything that could be asked of him, and refused to give in until his body could simply take it no more. He was a true hero - and he, more than any other, was the inspiration behind my becoming a mountaineer myself - and probably for many others.

How can you compare this film to Cliffhanger, K2 and Vertical Limit which were all completely fictitious stories? This film had a strong historical foundation, especially in the details of the attempt on the North Face. And Touching the Void is a recreated documentary. Might as well spend your day comparing apples to oranges.🐭