After helping Hillary and Norgay establish Camp IX,
the rest of the team descends, leaving the final assault
team alone in the dismal camp. After setting up their
tent on an uneven ice slope, the two men eat sardines,
biscuits, apricots, dates, jam, lemonade, soup, and
coffee.
In –17 degree cold, with strong winds pushing at their
tent, Norgay and Hillary rest up for the big climb
ahead of them. Can you imagine sleeping in a tent in
the bone-chilling cold, atop a windy mountain? Was
it exciting? Scary? Find out firsthand by checking the interview with Sir Edmund Hillary.
Rest up! See you at the summit.
Then and Now
Hillary's son, Peter, climbed Mt. Everest in 1990.
As you can imagine, his experience was very different
from his father's. How do you think mountain climbing
has changed? Hint: Think about clothing and technology.
Do you think that Peter's trek was more difficult than his father's trek? What do you think might be invented in the future that would make climbing Mt. Everest different from Peter's experience?
Assault Team- two or more climbers who attempt to reach a mountain summit.
Photo: RGS
