American newlyweds Peter and Maria come to a small Swiss village to hire Glooker, a famous mountain guide, to take them up the east wall of Pitz-Palu, one of the highest peaks in the Alps. They meet fellow American Dr. Jensen, whose wife fell to her death on a Pitz-Palu climb 20 years ago to the day. Jensen returns each year on the date of her death hoping that the ice will yield up her body. He cautions the young couple against attempting the difficult climb, especially in the threatening weather, and confesses he had failed to heed a similar warning 20 years before when the fatal accident occurred. As dawn breaks, Peter leaves the house, leaving Maria asleep, determined to try the climb alone. Jensen hears him and insists on going. Maria awakes and is determined to share with Peter the adventure and the danger. Together the trio begin the assent, waving casually to a band of students (who are later buried in an avalanche). The climbers also have a few problems of their own.