In 1953 a British and Commonwealth expedition led by Colonel John Hunt set out to climb Mount Everest. Two men reached the South Summit, about two hours' climb from the true summit, but they had to return. Colonel Hunt chose two others to make a second attempt. They were Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander, and Tenzing Norgay. Tenzing was a Sherpa, one of the peoples who live in mountainous Nepal. On 29th May 1953, they reached the top. Worried that their oxygen might run out, they stayed only 15 minutes. After taking photographs to prove they had made it, they made their way, weary but triumphant, back down the mountain.

Up from Base Camp

The Hunt expedition was made up of over 400 people, including 362 porters. In April 1953, they set up their Base Camp on the Khumbu Glacier at a height of 5356 metres (17,572 feet). It was a long hard climb to get that far. From there, a smaller team made the dangerous climb up the Khumbu icefall (a steep and fast-moving portion of glacier). Then the trek led the group up the sloping valley called the Western Cwm. This route had been used only once before. Then it was up the steep slope of the Lhotse Face. Sheer cliffs and icy winds slowed down the climbers. No progress could be made for several days.

The final haul

The advance party eventually reached South Col, at a height of 7890 metres (25,900 feet). It was a level spot where they could set up camp. From here, on 26th May, Hunt directed climbers Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans to try for the summit. The pair had to turn back at the South Summit, just 91 metres (300 feet) below the actual summit, because Evans' oxygen system failed. On 28th May, it was Hillary and Tenzing's turn to make their attempt.

​​​​​​​First they ascended the terrifying Southeast Ridge. There they cut out a ledge where they could pitch camp for the night. Hillary slept sitting up to stop the tent blowing away. Next morning the wind dropped and the sun shone. By 9 a.m. they were on the South Summit.