In this very week in 1953, humanity first set foot on the summit of the world’s highest mountain in a feat of stunning resilience and skill.  The 9th British Expedition had proceeded like a military drill, creating a series of advance camps up the southern route of Mount Everest under the leadership of Col. John Hunt.  The first base camp was established at 17,900 feet.  There the team plotted its attack up the “South Ridge.”  The route taken would be through the Khumbu Icefall to the Western Cwm, up the Lhotse Face.  This route is still the most popular today. Col. Hunt’s team divided into sections.  By May 21, climbers Wilfrid Noyce and the Sherpa guide Annullu reached the South Col.  This final jump-point is just under the Death Zone of 26,000 feet, above which humans cannot survive for long, and the pair pre-positioned more supplies and oxygen. Hunt then selected two pairs of climbers for the ascent – if the...(Read Full Post)