A new route: “Metanoia” – solo, in winter, straight up the North Face of the Eiger As Jeff Lowe climbed it in 1991 he was already a renowned mountaineer and an inspiration to many young athletes. But he failed. He failed as a human being neglecting his duties as a father and went bankrupt with his own business. His Eiger ascent helped to change him to become a better person - just before a terminal illness took over the control of Jeff’s body.