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    Did Mallory Make it to the Top of Everest First?

    enSeptember 06, 2022

    Podcast Summary

    • Track business growth with Squarespace Insights and Ferguson's expertise for home projectsSquarespace Insights offers valuable business analytics, while Ferguson assists with home projects, both contributing to growth and improvement

      Whether you're running a business or working on a home project, having access to valuable insights can help you grow and improve. Squarespace offers business analytics through Insights, allowing users to track site visits, sales, and effective channels. Meanwhile, Ferguson provides expertise and assistance for home projects, ensuring a smooth experience from start to finish. On a different note, the story of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine's attempt to climb Mount Everest showcases the importance of determination and innovation. Starting as left-leaning intellectuals, Mallory and his companions made significant strides in mountain climbing by figuring out techniques and creating their own gear. Despite their unconventional attire and limited resources, they pushed boundaries and left a lasting impact on mountaineering history.

    • Identification and Naming of Mount EverestMount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, was identified as such in the mid-19th century, named after Sir George Everest, but known as Chomolungma to locals. The challenge of climbing it involved mapping out a feasible route and dealing with altitude sickness.

      The discovery and exploration of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, was a complex and lengthy process. When Ed Harris mentioned that Mount Everest was only identified as the tallest peak in the mid-19th century, it was a time when mountaineering was still a new and largely unexplored sport. The English, who calculated Everest's height using data from their occupation of India, named it after Sir George Everest. However, the local Tibetans knew it as Chomolungma, or "mother goddess of the world." The challenge of reaching Everest was not just about climbing the mountain but also about traversing the mountain ranges and dealing with the altitude sickness at high altitudes. It wasn't until the 1920s that the Royal Geographic Society and the Alpine Club formed the Mount Everest Committee to explore the feasibility of climbing Everest. They had to scout the area and map out a feasible route, as no one from Europe had been close to the mountain before. The journey to climb Mount Everest was not just about reaching the summit but also about the exploration and discovery of the unknown.

    • Pioneering climbers like George Mallory paved the way for modern Everest summitsGeorge Mallory and early climbers faced immense challenges but made significant discoveries, including the North Col route, paving the way for future Everest expeditions

      The early mountaineers who attempted to summit Everest, including George Mallory, faced immense challenges with limited resources and knowledge compared to modern climbers. Mallory, in particular, was known for his tenacity and unique climbing style, which is still revered today. He was part of the first expedition to Everest in 1921, where they successfully mapped the North Col route, which is still used today from the Tibetan side. Mallory was so obsessed with Everest that he left his wife and children for several months to join the expedition. Despite the hardships and dangers, these pioneering climbers paved the way for future expeditions and made significant discoveries, including the North Col route. It's important to note that the north side of Everest was the route used by Mallory and his team, but China later closed it to Westerners, making the south side, which is used today, the more common route for climbers.

    • Exploring Safe and Creative Alternatives in the Digital World and Real LifeParents can ensure their kids' safety on Zigazoo, a kid-friendly social network, while adults can unleash their creativity with Squarespace's Fluid Engine. Homeowners can earn extra income by renting out their properties on Airbnb, and climbing Mount Everest is a challenging adventure requiring preparation and adaptability.

      There are safe and creative alternatives for kids in the digital world, such as Zigazoo, a social network designed specifically for them. Parents can feel at ease knowing that videos on this platform are moderated, there are no comments or messaging, and children need parental consent to join. Additionally, adults can tap into their creativity with Squarespace's Fluid Engine, a next-generation website design system that offers customizable templates and easy-to-use features. Lastly, considering the increasing popularity of sharing spaces like Airbnb, homeowners can make extra money by renting out their properties when they're not in use. On the adventurous side, climbing Mount Everest is a challenging journey that requires extensive preparation and the ability to adapt to various climbing conditions, including crossing glaciers.

    • The Challenges of Climbing Mount Everest in 1921In 1921, climbers faced numerous challenges including deep crevasses, ice slides, sea cores, altitude sickness, exhaustion, and harsh weather conditions, but their perseverance and the establishment of camps led to the first successful ascent, demonstrating human resilience and the importance of knowledge.

      The first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1921 was an incredible feat of perseverance and determination, despite the numerous challenges and obstacles faced by the climbers. These challenges included the dangers of the glacier, such as deep crevasses, ice slides, and house-sized blocks of ice called sea cores. Climbers also faced the possibility of death from altitude sickness, exhaustion, and the harsh weather conditions. Additionally, the concept of the Yeti, or Abominable Snowman, was introduced during this time, adding another layer of danger and intrigue to the expedition. Despite the numerous failed attempts to ascend Everest before 1921, each expedition played a crucial role in establishing camps and gathering valuable information about the mountain and human endurance at high altitudes. These camps and discoveries were essential for future climbers, allowing them to reach higher elevations and eventually reach the summit. The importance of establishing camps and gathering knowledge about the mountain cannot be overstated. Climbers could not survive on Everest without proper equipment and shelter, and each detail, from the time of day to start climbing to the location of camps, was crucial in understanding how to reach the top eventually. The first successful ascent of Mount Everest was a testament to human resilience and the power of knowledge and perseverance.

    • Early mountain climbers were driven to summit Everest 'because it's there'Early climbers, including George Mallory, attempted to summit Everest without modern oxygen equipment, reaching impressive heights despite risks and challenges.

      Mountain climbing, particularly the attempt to summit Mount Everest during the early 20th century, represented the last great human challenge as explorers had already conquered the poles and most of the earth. George Mallory famously coined the phrase "because it's there" to explain the motivation for such endeavors. However, climbing Everest without modern oxygen equipment was a daunting task. Despite the risks and challenges, Mallory and others reached impressive heights, such as 26,800 feet in 1922, without the use of oxygen. The timeline of events is not entirely clear, but it's known that an avalanche occurred during an expedition, resulting in the deaths of several climbers, but it's unclear whether this was in 1921 or 1922. Regardless, the determination and endurance displayed by these early mountaineers continue to inspire us today.

    • Mallory's Tenacious Attitude and Flighty Behavior on Mount EverestSir Edmund Hillary's determination led to the successful ascent of Mount Everest, but his carelessness and lack of expertise caused mishaps and controversy.

      Sir Edmund Hillary Mallory's tenacious attitude and flighty behavior were major factors in the successes and setbacks of his multiple expeditions to Mount Everest in the early 1900s. While he made significant contributions to mountain climbing, his carelessness and lack of expertise in areas outside of his comfort zone led to mishaps and controversy. For instance, in 1922, an avalanche killed seven Sherpas, and Mallory was partially responsible due to his role in pushing for the final summit attempt. Additionally, his inability to properly operate a camera during the 1922 expedition added to his reputation as flighty. Despite these shortcomings, Mallory's determination and leadership skills were crucial to the eventual successful ascent of Mount Everest by him and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. However, it's important to remember that his legacy is complex, with both accomplishments and criticisms attached.

    • Mallory and Irvine's 1924 Everest Expedition: Pursuing the Summit with Improved Oxygen RigsIn the 1924 Everest Expedition, Mallory and Irvine aimed to summit with more efficient oxygen rigs, reaching the highest camp at 25,000 feet. Despite setbacks, the expedition marked progress towards understanding the mountain's challenges and the importance of adequate oxygen supply.

      The importance of oxygen and having efficient oxygen rigs became increasingly clear during the 1924 Everest expedition. George Mallory, who was obsessed with summiting Everest and had been on all three expeditions, brought along Sandy Irvine, a strong and tall climber, to help make the rigs more efficient. During this expedition, Mallory and Irvine made the highest camp at 25,000 feet, but their summit attempt failed when the Sherpas deemed it too dangerous. Edward Norton and T. Howard Somerville also attempted the summit, with Norton getting within a thousand feet of the summit but suffering from snow blindness and having to be helped back down. The expedition saw some successes, such as the establishment of the highest camp, but also faced challenges like high altitude sickness and the dangers of the thin air and harsh conditions. The geologist Noel Odell played a significant role in documenting the expedition.

    • George Mallory's final Everest attempt, parents' social media safety, Airbnb income, Dell savings, Canva presentationsParents secure children's social media, George Mallory pursues Everest dream, homeowners earn income via Airbnb, Dell offers tech savings, Canva enhances presentations

      George Mallory, in his third and final attempt to summit Mount Everest, was determined to succeed despite his advanced age and the previous failures. This was his last chance to achieve his dream, and he brought Irvine along to help those descending and potentially make history. Meanwhile, in a different context, parents can utilize platforms like Zigazoo for their children's social media needs, ensuring a safe and fun experience. Additionally, homeowners can consider renting out their spare rooms or entire homes through Airbnb to earn extra income. Lastly, Dell Technologies is celebrating its 40th anniversary with savings on select tech products, and Canva offers visually impressive presentations for various workplaces.

    • Last Sighting of Mallory and Irvine on Mount EverestGeologist Noel Odell made multiple heroic attempts to find Mallory and Irvine after last seeing them on the summit ridge, but had to abandon the search due to critical schedule delays and harsh conditions.

      The last sighting of George Leeming Mallory and Andrew Irvine on Mount Everest was by geologist Noel Odell, who saw them on the summit ridge but they were behind schedule, which was a critical issue due to the narrow window for successful summit attempts. Odell waited for them to return to camp but when they didn't, he heroically attempted to find them, making multiple ascents over 26,000 feet for several days. Unfortunately, he had to abandon the search when a signal was received from base camp indicating that Mallory and Irvine had likely perished. Odell had been on the mountain for over 11 days, an impressive feat at such high altitude. The harsh conditions and the need for acclimatization made the descent as challenging as the ascent, and the discovery of their abandoned gear confirmed their tragic fate.

    • 1924 Everest Expedition: Mallory and Irvine's Debated Summit AttemptGeologist Odell's eyewitness account of seeing Mallory and Irvine on the second step of the final climb suggests they could have reached the summit, despite late hour and worsening conditions.

      The 1924 Everest expedition led by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, where Mallory and Irvine were believed to have perished, left a bittersweet legacy. While their loss was tragic, their attempt embodied the spirit of adventure and the unknown. The debate on whether they reached the summit continues, with geologist Odell's eyewitness account being a key piece of evidence. Odell, who had excellent eyesight, claimed to have seen Mallory and Irvine on the second step of the three cliffs leading to the top. However, some believe he may have seen them on the first step. If Odell's account is accurate, Mallory and Irvine's ascent of the second step would have put them in position to reach the summit, as they were determined to continue despite the late hour and worsening conditions. The consensus among those who believe they summited rests on the belief that Odell did indeed see them on the second step.

    • Discoveries of Mallory and Irvine's Fate on Mount EverestMallory and Irvine's expedition involved intriguing discoveries, including Irvine's ice axe in 1933, a body reportedly found in 1975, an oxygen bottle in 1991, and Mallory's body with severe injuries and a possible self-sacrifice theory in 1999.

      The search for George Leigh Mallory and Andrew Irvine's fate on Mount Everest involved several intriguing discoveries over the years. One significant find was Irvine's ice axe in 1933, suggesting something had caused him to drop it. In 1975, Chinese climbers reported finding an Englishman's body, which could have been either Mallory or Irvine, but the Chinese government denied this claim. An expedition in 1991 discovered an oxygen bottle believed to be theirs, leading to a 1999 expedition that found Mallory's body with severe injuries and a golf ball-sized hole in his forehead, possibly caused by his ice axe. The absence of Irvine's wife's photo from Mallory's person also fueled speculation that Mallory had reached the summit before Irvine and sent him back, ultimately sacrificing his own life to save Irvine's. Despite the mysteries surrounding their expedition, Mallory and Irvine's story continues to captivate mountaineers and adventurers alike.

    • Mallory and Irvine's Missing Camera on Mount EverestThe missing camera of Mallory and Irvine, which could potentially reveal answers about their fate on Mount Everest, remains a mystery. The use of 'stop' in telegrams to save costs is a myth.

      During their attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest, Mallory and Irvine were carrying a Kodak vest pocket camera to take photographs from the top. However, both the camera and Irvine are missing, leading to speculation that the Chinese expedition may have found Irvine's body and brought it down without revealing it. If the missing camera were found, it could potentially solve the mystery by developing the film. Another intriguing detail discussed was a myth about the use of "stop" in telegrams due to punctuation costing extra, which has been debunked. Instead, the use of "stop" originated during World War I to prevent misunderstandings in military telegrams. The episode also touched upon Chuck's mysterious rope trauma story, which he refused to share. Listeners can send their theories about Chuck's story to the show's email address.

    • Exploring safe and creative platforms for kids, special services for customers, and meaningful careers for veteransPlatforms like Zigazoo offer a safe space for kids to express themselves, companies prioritize customer satisfaction, and organizations provide opportunities for veterans to grow professionally.

      There are platforms designed specifically for kids, like Zigazoo, which offer a safe and creative environment for them to express themselves through videos, without the risks of social media trolling or inappropriate comments. Meanwhile, companies like Discover aim to make everyone feel special and valued, offering services such as 24-7 customer support and $0 fraud liability. Lastly, organizations like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provide opportunities for meaningful careers, fostering a diverse and inclusive community where individuals can make a difference and grow professionally. Easter is coming up, and CVS makes it easy to prepare with free in-store pickup on various Easter-related items.

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