The Crowning of Everest

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1953 Britain prepares to crown a new Queen and waits to hear if Everest has been conquered

It is 1953, and Britain is preparing to crown its young Queen, Elizabeth II. The nation is also poised to hear news from Mount Everest. Has the British team made it to the top?

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The Crowning of Everest 

The Crowning of Everest: The Allure of Everest

The Allure of Everest

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The British connection to Mount Everest and why it was so important to conquer it in 1953.

Britain has a special relationship with Mount Everest. In 1953, the pressure was on to reach the top. For the British climbers, it's now or never.

Britain has tried and failed to reach the top of Everest for decades.  

George Mallory and Sandy Irvine disappeared on the mountain in 1924.  

There were various British expeditions during the 1930s - all unmitigated failures. 

The Second World War interrupted the race to conquer Everest.  But by 1951, with Tibet closed by communist China, a new unexplored route through Nepal was available.  

The Swiss expedition had nearly succeeded in 1952.  The French are scheduled to climb in 1954.  For John Hunt's British team in 1953 the pressure is on.  It is now or never.  

Meanwhile, back in London, a different race begins.  If the British get to the top it's the scoop of the century for whichever newspaper can report the story first.  The Times pays £10,000 to have its reporter James Morris, later Jan Morris, embedded with the expedition.

Presenter: Wade Davis
Series producer: Louise Clarke-Rowbotham
Sound design: Richard Hannaford
Editor: Tara McDermott                 
Production co-ordinators: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross

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