Podcast Summary: Short History Of... – "The Conquest of Everest"

Host: John Hopkins (NOISER)
Air Date: December 29, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode explores the dramatic story behind the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. It traces the mountain’s early mapping and naming, the challenges faced by numerous expeditions, and delves into the personalities, national rivalries, and technological innovations that converged at the “top of the world.” The episode also discusses the mountain’s sacred meaning to the Sherpa people, the ongoing aftermath of the conquest, and how Everest became a symbol of adventure and human ambition.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Attempts and Mapping of Everest (00:22–13:17)

• The British colonial survey identifies Everest, originally called Peak 15, as world's highest in 1852, thanks to Bengali mathematician Radhanath Sikdar. (04:02)
• Renamed after Surveyor General George Everest, despite protests favoring indigenous names like Sagarmatha (Nepal) and Chomolungma (Tibet). (05:51)
• Early obsession with "trophy exploration" and the drive to claim the world's extremes is introduced by guest Mick Conefrey.
  • Quote: “As soon as Everest was measured... climbers wanted to have a go at it, because this was the era of trophy exploration… The urge was just very strong.” – Mick Conefrey (07:05)
• The closing of Nepal and access only through Tibet complicated early British attempts.

2. The Fate of Mallory and Irving (1920s Expeditions) (08:48–13:17)

• Explorers like George Mallory and Andrew Irvine challenged the mountain with primitive equipment and little weather information, often relying on delayed postcards from Colombo, Sri Lanka, for monsoon forecasts. (09:37)
• The iconic reason for the climb: “Because it is there.” – George Mallory (10:26)
• The 1924 disappearance of Mallory and Irvine high on Everest remains a mystery. Mallory’s body was discovered in 1999, fueling speculation about whether they reached the summit.
  • Quote: “It is unlikely that they got to the summit, but it is not impossible…” – Mick Conefrey (12:26)

3. Post-War Expeditions and the Myth of the Yeti (13:17–15:13)

• Nepal opens to outsiders, allowing new southern approaches.
• Eric Shipton’s 1951 reconnaissance identifies the South Col as the key route and sensationalizes the "yeti" via mysterious footprint photos, further mythologizing the Himalayas. (13:59)
  • Quote: “The world was hungry for stories about the yeti and to finally see a photograph was amazing.” – Mick Conefrey (14:27)

4. Planning the 1953 British Expedition (16:54–22:00)

• Colonel John Hunt's Leadership: Appointed to lead the 1953 attempt, bringing military precision and an emphasis on technology, logistics, and teamwork. (18:32)
  • Quote: “[Hunt] was very methodical in the way he approached the whole expedition… a great man manager who was able to get the best out of all the people in his team.” – Mick Conefrey (18:32)
• Major innovations include windproof nylon, vacuum-packed meals, and improved oxygen apparatus, rigorously tested in decompression tanks at Farnborough. (19:36–21:10)

5. Sherpa Involvement and Tenzing Norgay’s Story (22:00–26:55)

• Tenzing Norgay emerges as a seasoned Sherpa leader, having climbed with a Swiss team to record-breaking heights in 1952.
• Tenzing’s initial ambivalence towards the British team reflects the complexities of postcolonial relationships and loyalty to the Swiss.
  • Quote: “He was incredibly goal-driven and… recognized that this was a pretty good British team that they were going to go all out to get to the summit and he wanted to be part of that.” – Mick Conefrey (24:28)

6. March to Base Camp and the Khumbu Icefall (26:55–32:46)

• The journey is an epic undertaking: 175 mountainous miles, 350 porters, and immense physical hardship.
  • Described: “Like a marching army… passing through forests of rhododendrons, shrines fluttering with Buddhist prayer flags…” (26:55)
• The Khumbu Icefall presents a formidable, ever-shifting obstacle, considered impassable by early explorers yet finally negotiated by the 1951 Shipton party.
  • Quote: “Very, very dangerous place to be… even today… it’s so unstable.” – Mick Conefrey (30:22)

7. Establishing Camps and First Summit Attempt (32:46–37:56)

• The team methodically establishes higher camps through treacherous terrain and the “death zone,” above 8,000m, where the body begins to shut down.
• First summit bid by Charles Evans & Tom Bourdillon (May 26, 1953) reaches the south summit, a “false summit,” but oxygen failure prevents them from reaching the top.
  • Quote: “After some debate, they turn back and start the three-hour descent. Years later, Bourdillon will say it is a decision he always regrets.” (37:56)

8. The Final Push: Hillary & Tenzing’s Climb (37:56–43:44)

• On May 29, 1953, Hillary and Tenzing make their legendary summit bid, overcoming the hazardous “Hillary Step.”
  • Description: “He wiggled his way up with his back against one side... if it broke off, he’d be hurled down thousands of feet below. Very dangerous, very risky thing to do.” – Mick Conefrey (41:00)
• At the summit, a humble, emotional scene unfolds:
  • Hillary photographs Tenzing; Tenzing leaves Buddhist offerings and flags; Hillary leaves a cross.
  • Time at the summit: ~15 minutes.
  • Quote: “The two men stand side by side under an intense blue sky on the top of the world. The horizon is bent by the curvature of the earth. Below them, even the tallest mountains look tiny.” (42:10–42:52)

9. Aftermath, Politics, and Legacy (43:44–47:20)

• News breaks in Britain on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, coinciding with a wave of national pride: “Crowning glory! Everest conquered.” (43:44)
• Controversies arise over who summited first and disparities in recognition (Hillary knighted, Tenzing not).
  • Quote: “Both Hillary and Tenzing thought this was absurd… they were climbing as a team and it wasn’t that relevant who’d actually set foot on the summit first.” – Mick Conefrey (45:14)
• Tenzing remains a modest figure amid intense scrutiny. It’s only in his autobiography that he reveals it was Hillary who stepped onto the summit first.
• The commercialization and popularization of Everest: By 2019, over 1,000 climbers reach the summit in a single season, raising new concerns about safety, overcrowding, and the continued vital role of Sherpa expertise.

10. The Broader Significance (47:20–50:03)

• The conquest of Everest is framed as a story of endurance, innovation, and cross-cultural teamwork — but also as a beginning of new challenges and a source of reflection on ambition, recognition, and environmental perils.
  • Quote (Paraphrased): “There is little virtue in an easy victory.” (Final narration)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• “Because it is there.” – George Mallory (10:26)
• “Very, very dangerous place to be… even today… it’s so unstable.” – Mick Conefrey, on the Khumbu Icefall (30:22)
• “The two men stand side by side under an intense blue sky on the top of the world. The horizon is bent by the curvature of the earth…” (42:10)
• “Both Hillary and Tenzing thought this was absurd… they were climbing as a team…” – Mick Conefrey, on the summit controversy (45:14)
• “There is little virtue in an easy victory.” (49:30, Narrator quoting the New Zealanders' motto)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Early Mapping & Naming: 00:22–07:05
• Mallory & Irvine Mystery: 08:48–13:17
• Swiss & Early Reconnaissance: 13:17–16:54
• Preparing the British Assault: 16:54–25:16
• The Trek & Base Camp: 25:16–32:46
• Khumbu Icefall: 32:46–37:12
• First Summit Attempt (Evans & Bourdillon): 37:12–37:56
• The Summit – Hillary & Tenzing: 37:56–43:44
• Aftermath & Legacy: 43:44–49:30

Tone and Style

The episode blends dramatic narration, vivid scene-setting, historical analysis, and expert commentary. It balances awe at human achievement with sober reflection on cost and controversy. The tone is reverential towards both the mountain and the people, particularly highlighting Tenzing Norgay's dignity and the teamwork that made history.

Takeaways for Listeners

This episode offers:

• A rich historical sweep from 19th-century geopolitics to post-war ambition.
• Personal angles: the enduring mystery of Mallory, the humility of Tenzing, and the planned precision of Colonel Hunt and his multinational team.
• Insights into the physical, cultural, and spiritual significance of Everest.
• An unromantic look at the mountain’s later commercialization and ongoing Sherpa leadership.
• A reminder of the thin line between glory and tragedy in high-altitude adventure.

Next week: A Short History of Cleopatra...