Foto’s

 “On May 28, 1953, the first successful ascent of Mount Everest was completed by Edmund Hillary (a New Zealander) and Tenzing Norgay (an Indian Sherpa from Darjeeling). The expedition was led by Colonel John Hunt and included a large roster of both British and Indian members. The names of a few of these members are listed below where an attempt has been made to identify the signatures on the photograph.

This image of the summit was taken the day following the successful ascent by Hillary and Tenzing. Originally, the plan had been to photograph the expedition atop the summit but this idea was dropped for fear of the aircraft engines setting off an avalanche.

Judging by the date thoughtfully accompanying Dr Rajendra Prasad’s signature, the photo was signed around June 19, 1953, presumably at a get–together to honor the members of the successful expedition.
 
This photograph comes to us courtesy of the estate of Wing Commander Manmohan B. Athale of the Indian Air Force. Wing Commander Athale was posted at the Air Force Selection board in Dehradun, India, in 1953 and according to his log book did not fly in May or June of that year. This rules out that he took the photo himself, but he later commanded the 102nd Survey Squadron (1958–1959) and we speculate that he somehow came into possession of it at that time. The 102nd was certainly properly equipped to take such a picture and we presume that they were tasked with doing so in 1953.
 
Two versions of the photos can be seen below. The second highlights the signatures we have been able to identify.
 
Signatures identified on the photo:
 
Expedition members:
a) Edmund Hillary
b) Colonel John Hunt
c) Wilfrid Noyce
d) Michael Ward
Indian dignitaries:
e) Dr Rajendra Prasad: President of India
f) Vijayalakshmi Pandit: Indian Diplomat, sister to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and First Woman President of the United Nations General Assembly in 1953
 
Unfortunately, we have not been able to identify all of the signatures, if Tenzing Norgay signed we have been unable to identify the signature.”
 
The photos with text are sent to us by Saket Kulkarni. Thanks, Saket! These are wonderful and historical pictures! (Wing Commander Athale was Saket’s maternal grandfather).
 

Foto’s & Filmpjes van eerdere klimtochten van Jetze & Peter:

– Aconcagua expeditie 2010 

 

 

 

 

 

Koken in Nido de Condores         Sneeuw smelten in kamp Colera: zicht op de top !

– Winterbeklimming Gross Glockner 2009

Jodelen op de Gross Glockner ?         Ploeteren op de Gross Glockner

– Gran Paradiso 2007

– Piz Bernina 2006

Bernina gletscher            Smeltwater            Geruststelling van het thuisfront