Conquering the mighty mountain ‘Everest’ is for many the ultimate quest and for others inspiration comes from those who’ve endured the challenging climb.
National Geographic offer an opportunity for you to take a practice run at the perilous peak – ‘vicariously’ through live footage of their own expedition.
Starting next Monday, April 16th, you can follow a team of National Geographic scientists, researchers, and photographers in real time as they make their climb to the top of the highest point on the planet.
It has been nearly 50 years since a National Geographic-sponsored American team first made a historic trek to the summit in 1963. Take a look at how much climbing equipment alone has changed over that period of time and see what they have learned since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first reached the summit.
For this spring’s climb, NG’s team will be split into two groups. The first will follow the West Ridge and climb in the alpine style, carrying all their own food and equipment.
The second group will climb the Southeastern Ridge in the expedition style using fixed ropes, stocked camps, help from porters, and supplemental oxygen.
Meet all the members of the team.
View amazing photos from past climbs up Everest.
Check for regular updates throughout the climb on the Everest Blog. Or, follow this special climb in real time on your iPad with the National Geographic Magazine App in the iTunes store.
View National Geographic’s People’s Choice award-winning video of paragliding off Mount Everest, or test your knowledge with the Everest Quiz and special puzzles.
And, don’t miss the May/June 2012 issue of our ‘free magazine’ Bare Essentials it features an insiders guide on ‘Climbing into the Clouds’.
Source: National Geographic
