The records here all relate to the climb made in 1966 of the north face of the Eiger. The purpose of the climb had been to establish an alpine style, direct route up the north face of the mountain. A team of British and American climbers (Chris Bonington, Mick Burke, Peter Gillman, John Harlin, Dougal Haston, Layton Kor and Don Whillans) attempted the climb in March 1966. The climb was troubled by bad weather and tragedy when a rope broke, sending Harlin to his death.

There was wide-spread publicity surrounding the climb, partly due to the fact a German team were also attempting the same ascent at the time. The teams were using different methods of climbing to try to reach the summit - the British-American team were planning on climbing Alpine style, while the German team were using the Himalayan method. As events transpired, their routes converged and the two teams cooperated and assisted each other during the climb. Scot Dougal Haston and four members of the German team reached the summit on 25 March 1966.

The records here relate to the climb itself and the publication of a book by Haston and Gillman with photographs of Bonington entitled ‘Eiger Direct’, which was published by Collins in 1966. The records have been organised by those directly relating to the climb being arranged before those relating to the subsequent publication. Among the most significant records here include the tape recordings of communication between the climbers on the mountain face with those on ground, and the manuscripts of Haston and Gillman for the published book.