Mount Everest 1938

Explore the gripping account of the 1938 Mount Everest expedition in 'Mount Everest 1938' by H.W. Tilman. This paperback edition, published by Lodestar Books, offers a detailed narrative about the British mountaineers who faced insurmountable challenges in their quest to conquer the world's highest peak. At 216 pages, this captivating book delves into the history of Everest exploration, providing insights into the strategies and the sheer determination required to navigate the treacherous terrains. Notably, it features legendary climbers such as Eric Shipton and Frank Smythe, along with the indispensable Sherpa, Tensing. As they tackle the daunting last 2,000 feet of Everest, this narrative captures the harsh realities of extreme altitude climbing, the ethical considerations surrounding oxygen use, and the camaraderie that forms in the face of adversity. Ideal for history buffs and adventure enthusiasts alike, 'Mount Everest 1938' not only recounts a significant chapter in mountaineering history but also highlights the essence of human spirit and resilience. If you're interested in mountain climbing stories or the epic tales of Everest, this book is a must-read, offering a blend of adventure, friendship, and historical significance that continues to inspire climbers today.

Author: H. W. Tilman Publisher: Lodestar Books
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 156 x 216 mm
Pages: 216
Publication Date: 01-05-2016

Whether these mountains are climbed or not, smaller expeditions are a step in the right direction. It’s 1938, the British have thrown everything they’ve got at Everest but they’ve still not reached the summit. War in Europe seems inevitable; the Empire is shrinking. Still reeling from failure in 1936, the British are granted one more permit by the Tibetans, one more chance to climb the mountain. Only limited resources are available, so can a small team be assembled and succeed where larger teams have failed? H.W. Tilman is the obvious choice to lead a select team made up of some of the greatest British mountaineers history has ever known, including Eric Shipton, Frank Smythe and Noel Odell. Indeed, Tilman favours this lightweight approach. He carries oxygen but doesn’t trust it or think it ethical to use it himself, and refuses to take luxuries on the expedition, although he does regret leaving a case of champagne behind for most of his time on the mountain. On the mountain, the team is cold, the weather very wintery. It is with amazing fortitude that they establish a camp six at all, thanks in part to a Sherpa going by the family name of Tensing. Tilman carries to the high camp, but exhausted he retreats, leaving Smythe and Shipton to settle in for the night. He records in his diary, ‘Frank and Eric going well—think they may do it.’ But the monsoon is fast approaching... In Mount Everest 1938, first published in 1948, Tilman writes that it is difficult to give the layman much idea of the actual difficulties of the last 2,000 feet of Everest. He returns to the high camp and, in exceptional style, they try for the ridge, the route to the summit and those immense difficulties of the few remaining feet.