CBBC cameras follow Steve Backshall as he attempts to scale the Eiger
Naturalist and adventurer Steve Backshall will attempt to climb the most iconic vertical mile of crumbling ice and rock in the world, the North Face of the Eiger, Switzerland, for a new CBBC documentary Steve Backshall Takes on the Ogre (1 x 60’).
Published: 14 February 2018
This is the single greatest challenge of my life. If I fail it will be the most crushing disappointment of my life and if I make it, it will be the realisation of a boyhood dream.
With ‘as live’ digital content sent back from the mountain as he climbs, viewers will follow Steve in real time as he battles through stage after stage of frozen smooth rock, ice waterfalls and thundering ice falls, before the full story of this dramatic adventure is broadcast in the documentary later this year.
Heroic stories from the Eiger inspired Steve to start climbing as a teenager and he has held a life-long ambition to reach the summit. After a previous failed attempt, undeterred Steve is set to try again and will be climbing with one of Britain's greatest climbers, Leo Houlding.
Steve says: “This is the single greatest challenge of my life. The North Face of the Eiger is one of the most dangerous places on the planet, but it’s drawn me in for as long as I can remember. If I fail it will be the most crushing disappointment of my life and if I make it, it will be the realisation of a boyhood dream.”
Cheryl Taylor, Head of Content, BBC Children’s says: “Steve has brought all kinds of thrilling adventures to CBBC and this very personal quest is the most challenging of all. Our viewers will be in a unique position to watch his progress and support him on this difficult journey up the Eiger.”
Films showing his preparations for the climb and the dramatic three-day ascent will be available on the CBBC website and CBBC YouTube. Steve will appear on Blue Peter tomorrow, Thursday 15 February, to talk about the challenge.
Steve Backshall Takes on the Ogre is produced by Screendog. Eoin O’Shea is the Producer with Executive Producer, Ed Kellie, for Screendog, and Kez Margrie the Commissioning Editor for CBBC. The documentary will be broadcast in Spring 2018.
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