Timeline of Mount Everest expeditions Timeline of Mount Everest expeditions Mount Everest is the world's highest mountain, with a peak at 8,848 metres (29,029 ft) above sea level. It is situated in the Himalayan range. The first British expedition—organized and financed by the newly formed Mount Everest Committee—came under the leadership of Colonel Charles Howard-Bury, with Harold Raeburn as mountaineering leader, and included George Mallory, Guy Bullock, and Edward Oliver Wheeler. It was primarily for mapping and reconnaissance to discover whether a route to the summit could be found from the north side. As the health of Raeburn broke down, Mallory assumed responsibility for most
1974 French Mount Everest expedition 1974 French Mount Everest expedition On 9 September 1974, the West Ridge Direct on Mount Everest was attempted by a French expedition. It resulted in the deaths of six climbers in an avalanche on the way to the summit. These deaths took the total number of fatalities on the mountain to 36. The team consisted of: In comparison, six Sherpas died on 5 April 1970 due to an avalanche in the Khumbu Icefall (see 1970 Mount Everest disaster). Other bad years were 1982 and 1996, although none of these years claimed as many lives as were lost in the avalanches