German climbers Toni Kurz (Fürmann) and Andi Hinterstoisser (Lukas) and novice journalist Louise (Wokalek) are childhood friends from Berchtesgaden, Bavaria.

Louise's superiors at the newspaper see a media opportunity and send her and her editor, she serving as a photographer, to cover the pair's ascent.

Having no funds, Toni and Andi travel to the Bernese Alps on bicycles and share a tent, while the reporter pair stay in the luxurious hotel at Kleine Scheidegg.

Competing French and Italian climbers assess the conditions and decide to abort their attempt, leaving the German and Austrian teams.

A rescue team comes within metres of reaching the last climber, but a knot between two short ropes is unable to pass through his carabiner.