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Conrad Anker Climbing Everest 1920s-Style

by Willy Volk (RSS feed) on May 12th 2007 at 4:02PM

British mountaineer George ("Because it is there") Mallory died on Mt. Everest in 1924. Though no one knows for sure whether he and his climbing partner, Andrew Irvine, summited the world's tallest mountain, some have speculated that the pair -- wearing gabardine, wool, cotton, and silk -- were woefully unprepared to tackle the extreme temperatures there.

Now, a team of climbers -- led by American Conrad Anker, who found Mallory's body in 1999 -- is trying to retrace their steps as closely as possible. In addition to using the same kinds of gear that Mallory used, replica clothes have been made especially for the modern-day climbers. Back in 1924, Mallory wore a Burberry suit over a woollen vest as well as a fur-lined motorcycle helmet and hobnail boots. Anker and his team are dressed the same way.

A documentary of the climb is being made. Though no modern-day climbing gear will be shown on the film, I doubt they'll be shooting in B&W.

[Via Get Outdoors]

Filed under: Climbing

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Tom Holzel Oct 16th 2007 8:24AM

Actually it was Graham Hoyland of the BBC who wore exact replica clothing at 21,500-ft on Mt. Everest--and pronounced them suitable for climbing. Anker and Holden put on costumes which looked like the real thing, but were constricting and not nearly warm enough. In any case, most mountaineers do not believe the silks and wollens of old were sufficiently windproof to protect adequately.

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