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Short History Of...

The Conquest of Everest

Short History Of...

Noiser

History

4.74.9K Ratings

🗓️ 9 October 2022

⏱️ 48 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Standing over 29,000ft above sea level, the peak of Everest is the highest point on the planet. To the sherpa people of the Himalayas it is sacred, and to foreign adventurers, it is the holy grail of climbing. But what did it take to reach the summit? Was it expertise and endurance—or simply better equipment? What was sacrificed to plant a flag on top of the world? This is a Short History Of the Conquest of Everest. Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Mick Conefrey, documentary maker and author of Everest, 1922. For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the Noiser+ banner on Apple or go to noiser.com/subscriptions to get started with a 7-day free trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

The best gift I've ever received has to be a bike when I was younger, a pedal bike.

0:07.0

It was a sort of slick little road bike and I remember it was all like, it was so, it was all wrapped up,

0:13.0

it was so obvious what it was obviously because nothing's shaped like a bike and I had a little ribbon on it and I was so guest.

0:17.0

For that was a life changer and I'm still sort of big on cycling around my area now so for that one change me a little.

0:24.0

Enjoy in every sip with red carp snout back at Starbucks.

0:31.0

It is May 1952. On a mountain ridge that skirts the border of Nepal and Tibet, two men are locked in a battle with the elements.

0:42.0

In the lead is Tenzing Norge, a sharper guide who grew up in the shadow of these peaks.

0:48.0

He is an experienced climber that he's never been this high before.

0:53.0

Gasping for breath, he squints up the steep ridge that leads to the very top.

0:59.0

Snow blows off the summit as though the mountain is smoking.

1:03.0

He can hear nothing but the high scream of the wind.

1:08.0

Tenzing lifts his foot and stamps his crampons into the ice.

1:12.0

He shifts his weight, then he lifts his other foot carefully, knowing that every step could be his last.

1:20.0

His companion is down on his hands and knees, inching along with his chin tucked into his armpit to shield his face from the merciless wind.

1:30.0

Some say this peak is the roof of the world, but right now it feels more like death's door.

1:36.0

The two men proceed in slow motion.

1:42.0

After another hour, Tenzing is crawling too.

1:46.0

Clouds swirl around a summit that flickers in and out of view like a mirage.

1:52.0

Struggling for breath, Tenzing suspects their oxygen supply is faulty.

1:57.0

They carry heavy gas bottles and have masks strapped over their faces.

2:02.0

But right now, the equipment seems to be all burden and no relief.

2:07.0

As his vision blurs, Tenzing's concern escalates.

...

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