The Crowning of Everest

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Documentaries

Factual

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?

BBC Radio 4 LW

The Crowning of Everest 

The Crowning of Everest: Scoop of the Century

Scoop of the Century

BBC Radio 4 - The Crowning of Everest, Scoop of the Century

The race down the mountain to deliver the news to London.

James Morris, later to be Jan Morris, is a reporter with The Times. On hearing the news that Everest has been conquered, he delivers the story to London - in a secret code.

The world is waiting for news of success from the British expedition on Mount Everest.  

James Morris, later to become Jan Morris, is a reporter from The Times newspaper embedded with the team on the mountain.  When news arrives that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay have reached the summit, he must find a way to get the news to London without it leaking to other journalists waiting in Kathmandu. 

Morris delivers the news via a secret code.

As the climbing team make their way down the mountain crowds gather to greet the heroes.

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

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Crowning of Everest

Scoop of the Century

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4