Zwischen Himmel und Hölle

Publication Year: 1967.

Zwischen Himmel und Hölle by Toni Hiebeier. Frankfurt a/M, Germany: Wilhelm Limpert Verlag, 1965. 261 pages, 32 photographs, one folding out photograph of the Civetta NW-face. DM 24.80.

Between Heaven and Hell is the title of Toni Hiebeler’s latest book. He finds himself in heaven when climbing in his beloved mountains and in hell when struggling with the problem of making a living. In chronological sequence Hiebeler takes us through the most important years of his mountaineering activities, culminating with the first winter ascent of the northwest face of the Civetta. This, by necessity, involves some duplication of certain material heretofore presented in other Hiebeler books. Even so, it does not detract from the novelty of this book which is written in a fluid narrative style. While following Hiebeler on his climbs, which are not all sixth grade, we learn to know the author, his family, his friends from the human side. There is never a dull moment, the book makes fascinating reading and will also be enjoyed by the non-technical climber.

Horst von Hennig