Eddie Bauer –the original expedition outfitter of American Everest explorers– recently sent a team of mountaineers to return to the deadly peak’s West Ridge to commemorate the historic anniversary of the 1963 climb of Jim Whittaker who is credited as the first American to summit the world’s tallest peak.
The short video below helps tell the story of the first Americans to stand on the summit. Eddie Bauer also created this beautiful web feature that highlights the adventure that Whittaker and his comrades shared, along with the gear that took both the 1963 team and the 2013 teams to the top.
It’s a simple idea, but laying all of this gear out and showing the comparison between the two eras is one of my favorite parts of this feature. Those quilted down pants from 1963 need to get re-released. Actually, it would have been cool to see Eddie Bauer actually go back and re-release that 1963 kit; make it in America, get Cabourn involved…I’m sure it would be awesome. That said, I love the First Ascent stuff. I have a hard time actually finding it in store – you’d think one store in Manhattan would stock it? It’s another one of those collections that deserves more credit than it gets. [EDDIE BAUER ON EVEREST]
“…demonstrating that the vigorous life still attracts Americans.” Classic words by JFK.
Watch how much they rest between steps when they are on the upper parts of the mountain (wearing oxygen masks, 1:15). These are world class climbers and it takes a several second rest after each step in order to maintain the strength to keep moving up. Climbing is hard.
Crazy! I don’t remember all that bright colored down being around until the 70’s.
Andrew… Not to be like that, but. The climbing of Everest isn’t hard. To deal with the altitude is hard as fuck though.