10 short questions Climbing Everest By B. Mathur

1.   What factors may have helped the Indians in climbing Everest?

          Indians got success in climbing Everest due to two factors. The first reason was that the weather was merciful or favourable for climbing. Another reason was that that they had more reliable mountaineering equipment. This equipment was both imported and Indians. In it included the American type oxygen mask and some other things prepared in the Indian factory making military equipment. The team was also fortunate in that it was assisted by an excellent band of the famous high-altitude Sherpas.

2. Why did the climbers spend a few days at Thyangboche?

         The team of 19 members started the expedition from Delhi at the end of the third weak of February. They took 15 days to reach Thyangboche from Jayanagar. After reaching Thyangboche, they were invited to dine with his holiness the Incarnate Lama. They stayed there for few days for reorganization and for getting used to a place as Everest was a challenge to the and the weather might be hazardous them.

3. Why did the climbing partly withdraw from the south Col to the Base camp?

         After reaching south Col, They stayed over there for 48 hours because the weather was very bad to climp-up. They waited for the foul weather to clear. Then they had to withdraw to the Base Camp to get their strength back and for the conservation of oxygen. They had to stop their journey upward for fifteen days.

4. Who were the first men in the expedition to reach the summit?

          Capt., A.S. Chcema and Nawang Gombu were the first men in the expedition to reach the summit.

5. What did some people think after the British success in 1953?

          When Everest was climbed for the first time by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, as members of John Hunt’s British expedition, in 1953, some people thought that it would perhaps mean the end of this fascinating sport. It was regarded as one of the finest organized sports, but proper precautions were necessary to be taken. The people thought that since the highest peak had been attained and emphasized that this sport endangered human life. Due to this the public changed their attitude about mountaineering. The success brought popularity for mountaineering.

6. Why were there no attempts on Everest between 1852 and 1907?

          The Everest stands between Tibet and Nepal. Both didn’t give permission to foreigners in their region. Then the first plan to explore Everest region was planned 1907 But for political reason the plan was no carried out. Then World War I caused further delay. Thus after being declared as the highest mountain peak in the world. Everest remained unexplored for long.

7. What happened to Mallory and Irvine?  (March 2007 & October-06)

           G. L. Mallory and Andrew Irvine were the members of third British expedition in 1924. They were equipped with oxygen. Mallory was a very go climber. By his companion, Mallory was regarded as the man who would get to the summit if anyone could go. He and Irvine left their advance camp at a height of 26, 700 ft. but they never returned. They were last seen at just over 28,000ft. Weather they died before they reached the summit or succeeded in climbing the summit is still debatable. Some thinks that they might have been killed by strong winds or storms.

8.   How was the 1953 expedition different from all the previous ones?

          The 1951 expedition was a reconnaissance expedition. It was about finding out new route. It was taken under Eric Shipton from the Nepalese side. A new route was discovered to the south col through Khumbu Glacier. It was across the ice fall and over the western Cwn. It was for climbing the Summit up the south –East Ridge of Everest.

9.   What did John Hunt say about earlier expeditions?  (March 2006)

          All the earlier attempts to climb Everest were unsuccessful. The British Expedition headed by Colonel John Hunt, E.P. Hillary and Tenzing got success in climbing Everest in 1953. They showed the world that nothing was impossible if there was a will.

10. How did Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. Roy help Indian mountaineering?  (Octo-07)

          The spectacular Indian victory in 1965 secured for India a high place in the world of mountaineering. Indian climbers attained this outstanding success within the brief space of 12 years. Two national leaders, Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. B.C. Roy, were responsible for encouraging the enthusiasm that swept India following Tenzing’s 1965 success and creating something permanent. They were the co-architects of the Himalayan Mountaineer Institute, which has done such a lot in so short a time to promote this sport.