1953 British Mount Everest expedition
The British Mount Everest expedition of 1953 was the first expedition that made it to the summit of Mount Everest. Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander explorer, and Tenzing Norgay, a Nepalese mountain climber, formed the pair that got to the top.[1] It was the ninth attempt to reach the summit.
The expedition was led by Colonel John Hunt, who was hired by the Everest organizing committee.[2] The military-style expedition was "bottom heavy" by today's standards.[1] There were tons of equipment hauled by 350 porters to support only ten climbers.[1] Other teams also tried.
Finally, on May 29, Hillary and Tenzing made it to the top.[3] They could stay on the summit for only 15 minutes because they risked running out of oxygen.[3] They began the long climb back down to the base camp.
They arrived exhausted and unable to speak. When Hunt saw them, he thought that they had failed and began arranging for another team to try.[3] However, the two gestured that the climb had been a success.[3] Hillary and Norgay became instant heroes.[4]
1953 British Mount Everest Expedition Media
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953
The Western Cwm, above the Khumbu Icefall. The Lhotse Face (centre right) was climbed trending left to the South Col (depression, centre), with the south-east ridge leading to Mount Everest's summit
Mount Everest. The route the British took started up the Khumbu Icefall − seen spilling out of the Western Cwm (hidden from view) − Lhotse Face and reached the South Col (snowy depression, extreme right), finishing up the south-east ridge (right-hand skyline)
Mount Everest and surrounding terrain
Everest reunion of 1963. Team members with family and notable guests at Pen-y-Gwryd hotel. Sherpa Tenzing wears a red tartan shirt.
References
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 David Roberts (2003). "1953: First Footsteps - Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay". National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
- ↑ Mick Conefrey (2012). "John Hunt - The Forgotten Hero of Everest". UKClimbing.com. UKClimbing Limited. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "1953: Hillary and Tenzing conquer Everest". BBC On This Day. BBC. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
- ↑ Jan Morris (3 May 2013). "Remembering the Everest expedition". The Financial Times LTD. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
