Published in association with the Royal Geographic Society, Alpine Club and Everest Foundation, this is the official publication celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest in 1953. It puts the first successful ascent into context - detailing the adventures and deaths on the north face pre World War II and the planning after the war that was nearly curtailed by a Swiss expedition in 1952. Written by a member of the original Hunt team - George Band (who went on to climb the lower but much harder peak Kangchenjunga) - the book contains details, photographs and material donated by team members and the RGS.