Category: Mount Kilimanjaro

Nobody remembers Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans, because  Sir Edmund Hillary's story of May 29, 1953, becoming the first person to reach Mount Everest's summit overshadows theirs.  However, a fascinating historical occurrence took place just three days earlier. On May 26, 1953, Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans, the primary climbing team in the expedition led by Hunt, were within 100 meters (328 feet) of Everest's summit. Due to exhaustion, they turned back and descended without reaching the peak. It's incredible to think that they were just the length of a football field away from their goal. Exhaustion can be a powerful force. Three days after, Hillary and Norgay achieved what Bourdillon and Evans had been unable to: they made it to the summit. This news reached London on the morning of June 2, coinciding with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. As a result of their success, Hunt and Hillary were knighted in the Order of the British Empire (KBE) while Norgay, a subject of the King of Nepal, was awarded the George Medal. Bourdillon and Evans were both accomplished climbers. Tragically, Bourdillon lost his life at the age of 32 in a climbing accident in Switzerland, while Evans went on to be an educator in Wales until his passing in 1995 at the age of 78. Despite their pioneering achievement in reaching a previously unattained height, neither of them received recognition for their remarkable efforts. The meeting of The Physiological Society at the National Hospital, Queen Square, in December 1953 included morning demonstrations of equipment used in the Mount Everest ascent that year. The equipment was demonstrated by three individuals associated with the expedition in various ways. The people involved were Robert Bourdillon, J. E. Cotes, and L. G. C. E (Griff) Pugh. They were all employees of the

Ang Dorje (Chhuldim) Sherpa, a renowned Nepalese mountaineering guide, climber, and porter hailing from Pangboche, Nepal, has an impressive record of having conquered the summit of Mount Everest a staggering 23 times. In the spring of 1996, Ang Dorje served as the climbing Sirdar for Rob Hall's Adventure Consultants expedition to Everest. Unfortunately, this expedition was marred by an unexpected and catastrophic storm that claimed the lives of eight climbers from multiple expeditions, etching itself as one of the most tragic disasters in the annals of Everest mountaineering. Today, in a remarkable display of skill and determination, Chhuldim Ang Dorjee Sherpa, a Nepali American climber, led a group from Adventure Consultant to successfully summit Everest for the 23rd time. This feat was achieved at approximately 4:55 am, as confirmed by Iswari Paudel, Managing Director at Himalayan Guides. Undoubtedly, Ang Dorjee's unparalleled achievement on Everest continues to be an awe-inspiring testament to his unwavering prowess in the world of mountaineering. Chhuldim Ang Dorjee Sherpa from Nepal and the USA, Robert Ocampo from the USA, Jonathan Anderton from Australia, Neil Long from the UK, and Finn Ghent from Australia, along with Chhewang Dorjee Sherpa, Sanduk Dorjee Tamang, Tenji Sherpa, Tashi Thundu Sherpa, Chhebi Bhote, Pasang Rinji Sherpa, Rita Dorjee Sherpa, Pemba Chhewang Sherpa, and Temba Bhote successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest. They accomplished this feat at 4:55am, as informed by Paudel. Additionally, participants from Himalayan Guides, such as Ram Chawla from the UK, Robert Kelso Smith from Ireland, Pasang Bhote, Pasang Anju Bhote, and Dawa Tshering Sherpa, also stood at the peak of Everest at 6:21am. Siddhi Bahadur Tamang achieved the same feat at approximately 5:35am, according to Paudel's statement. His life has been filled with close encounters with death, particularly the recent season where a dozen climbers lost their

Born in 1959, Michael Graeme Groom OAM is a well-known Australian mountaineer. Notably, in 1995, he achieved the impressive feat of reaching the summits of the five highest peaks in the world - Makalu, Lhotse, Kangchenjunga, K2, and Everest - without using bottled oxygen. This accomplishment is made even more remarkable by the fact that in 1987, Groom suffered severe frostbite, resulting in the loss of the front third of his feet after descending from the summit of Kangchenjunga. Nevertheless, this setback did not deter Groom, as he went on to summit Mount Everest in both 1993 and 1996. In addition to these achievements, he has also successfully completed the Seven Summits, which are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. Groom's expertise as a mountaineer led him to serve as a guide for Adventure Consultants during the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, an experience he later detailed in his 1997 autobiography. This event was further immortalized in the 2015 film "Everest" where Groom was portrayed by actor Tom Wright. In recognition of his contributions to mountaineering, Groom was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2000 Australia Day Honors. In 1996, a team of climbers consisting of professionals and paying clients embarked on a mission to conquer the world's highest mountain, Mt Everest. Tragically, during their ascent, they were caught in a severe blizzard, resulting in the loss of eight members of the expedition. Among these brave souls were two Australians, namely experienced guide Michael Groom and his client, John Taske. Several weeks following this devastating incident, both individuals shared their harrowing experience during the ill-fated climb in an interview with the program "60 Minutes." Dr. John Taske, seen here in a photograph captured in 1996, stood as the sole surviving Australian from the

Before Into Thin Air, movie was incubated, "Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster" is the main inspiration behind the movie by Jon Krakauer is a popular book that tells the story of the tragic 1996 Mount Everest disaster. Eight climbers died and several others were stranded due to a fierce storm. At the time, Krakauer was part of the expedition led by Rob Hall. The quest for the summit that day was not just their group; Scott Fischer's agency, Mountain Madness, was competing with Adventure Consultants. Krakauer, a writer and mountain climber, was originally hired to report on the commercialization of Mount Everest for Outside Magazine. Intrigued, he decided to join the Adventure Consultants' group led by Rob Hall. The book describes the organized ascent from Base Camp up to Camp Four. The author details his teammates, the guides, and other groups on the mountain, attempting to create a comprehensive timeline of their weeks on the mountain. The challenges of high altitude were felt differently by each climber, from weight loss to exhaustion. Regardless of several obstacles, the real tragedy does not occur until Chapter 11. As the climbers make their push to reach the summit, conditions begin to deteriorate. The storm hits while some climbers struggle to reach the top. There are failures in leadership, rescue attempts, and seven climbers perished. Krakauer, initially there to report on the commercialization of the climb, feels compelled to tell the full story, even if it causes pain for the victims' friends and families. He spends time reflecting on how the events changed his life, and examines the unanswered questions. Ultimately, Krakauer feels it is necessary to share the events thoroughly and accurately. Into Thin Air - The Book Krakauer details the events that led to his decision

Sheikha Asma Al Thani, a Qatari mountaineer, holds several remarkable achievements in her climbing career. She made history as the first Qatari woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Manaslu, K2, and climbed Ama Dablam. She further distinguished herself as the first Qatari person to ski to the North Pole. On her climb to Manaslu, she achieved the significant milestone of becoming the first Arab person to conquer an eight-thousander without the use of supplemental oxygen. In addition to her impressive climbing feats, Sheikha Asma Al Thani also serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Qatar Olympic Committee, representing her country on the global stage. She is part of the ruling family of Qatar, showcasing her passion for both mountaineering and her nation's sports initiatives. Sheikha Asma Al Thani, a Qatari athlete hailing from the royal family, has broken records and become a role model for women's empowerment in the Arab World and beyond. She is known for her leadership in encouraging women to follow their dreams and reach their aspirations. With a passion for adventure and a compassionate nature, Sheikha Asma has also taken on the role of Marketing and Communications Director at the Qatar Olympic Committee. Through her direction, she has spearheaded successful campaigns for some of Qatar's most prominent sporting events.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by اسماء بنت ثاني ~ Asma Al Thani (@atalthani) UNHCR began collaborating with Sheikha Asma just before her winter expedition to Antarctica, where she conquered Mount Vinson, the tallest peak in the South Pole, at the beginning of 2022. She is working towards completing the Explorer's Grand Slam and has already become the first Arab to climb six of the seven highest summits on every continent, as well as skiing