Equilibrium, Harald Berger – A Photo Collection

On 20 December 2006 Harald Berger, the triple Ice Climbing World Champion and extremely talented rock climber died when part of an Eiskapelle collapsed close to Salzburg, Austria. The death of the 34 year old sent shockwaves through the climbing community and a fund was immediately set up to help the critical financial situation of his girlfriend Kirten Buchmann and their newly born Zoe.

Now, almost a year to the day since the terrible accident, photographer Hermann Erber and Kirsten Buchmann pay homage to Hari and his driving passion with their picture book "Equilibrium". The 250 page volume explores Berger's travels and thoughts and all proceeds will go to the Salzburg Mountain Guides Association which administers a fund to deal with similar emergency situations.


Equilibrium, Harald Berger – A Photo Collection
Finding an equilibrium, or balance, in life is a fundamental need for many. Hari Berger saw this as a basic prerequisite in order to achieve his sporting ambitions.

In the last few years Berger was not only crowned Ice Climbing World Champion three times in a row, but he also conquered the most difficult mixed routes in the world. He travelled to Switzerland, Norway and Canada with this in mind, but also found the time to make first ascents of difficult multi-pitch icefalls in both Norway and Canada. In summer 2003 he repeated two famous alpine multi-pitches, Thomas Huber’s "End of Silence"(8b) on the Feuerhörndl, and Beat Kammerlander’s "New Age" (8a+) in the Rätikon. In late summer 2004 he added "Des Kaisers neue Kleider" (8b+) located on the Austrian Wilder Kaiser to his impressive list of alpine repeats, while in summer 2005 he completed the so-called "Trilogy", the three most difficult alpine routes (End of Silence, Des Kaisers neue Kleider, Silbergeier) by repeating "Silbergeier", Rätikon (8b+). On 20/12/2006, Harald was fatally injured during an ice climbing training session.

Hari and photographer Hermann Erber had always wanted to publish a book about ice climbing. Hari had always said that this would be his dream project. Hermann Erber and Kirsten Buchmann have now made Hari’s dream come true. Together, they accompany Hari with Hermann’s unique pictures from the Trilogy (Austria and Switzerland) to climbing in Norway, Canada, the USA, Chile and Madagascar.

The book is a tribute to Hari and an homage to travels, the mountains and climbing in all its forms. The focus is not on sporting achievements, but on memories of wonderful moments shared together.

All proceeds will go towards an account administered by the Salzburg Mountain Guides Association so that if the same happens again, other people can be helped quickly and without bureaucratic problems.

Equilibrium, Harald Berger – A Photo Collection
250 pages, 4 colours, art print, bound, price: 39.90.-
ISBN: 978-3-9500920-7-3
Available from specialist outlets or direct from the publishers, Alpinverlag, www.alpinverlag.at