RIP George Lowe - Mountaineer, member of the 1953 Everest Expedition

[The Esk]

Very sad to read of the death of George Lowe a couple of days ago, aged 89. He was an integral part of the successful 1953 Everest Expedition, and Hilary is quoted as saying it would have not been possible without Lowe's huge strength, endurance and mountaineering skill.

He and a sherpa carried most of the equipment up to 1,000 ft below the summit, eventually leaving Hilary and Tenzing to complete the summit. He famously kicked the route up the Lhotse Face, often in more than waist deep snow.

I met him a few times, and actually had dinner with him to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2003, he was deaf as a post by this time, and said very little but he had a huge presence.

RIP George.

 

[chicoazul]

RIP indeed.

 

[carlos21]

rip george,

 

[Mutzo Nutzo]

RIP George - the last of the 53 expedition team....What an achievement, to be part of history

 

[potato]

i would like to do everest one day, i know lots of people have died trying it, but if i did die, what a way to go eh.

 

[richie26188]

Remember the discovery channel programs? think there was 3 series covering expeditions to the summit. Eye opener to say the least

 

[The Esk]

i would like to do everest one day, i know lots of people have died trying it, but if i did die, what a way to go eh.

Everest gets pretty crowded in the climbing season. Look at this incredible picture of the Lhotse Face:

 

[Mutzo Nutzo]

i would like to do everest one day, i know lots of people have died trying it, but if i did die, what a way to go eh.

way to go spud - get yer boots on and get walking

 

[ToffeeDan]

RIP George - the last of the 53 expedition team....What an achievement, to be part of history

One member still living... Jan Morris - the Times reporter who accompanied the team.

But yeah one hell of a guy.

 

[The Esk]

At least 12 local guides have been killed after an avalanche on the slopes of Mount Everest, Nepali officials say.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-27075638

Very sad news, these local guides, sherpas risk life and limb so a privileged few can attempt to "climb" Everest every May.

Sadly this year an avalanche has caused numerous deaths in the preparation of the route.

 

[Woolly Blue]

Aye, I saw this earlier too. Tragic really. These Sherpas and other high altitude guides and porters don't really do it for the money, they love the mountains.

Mate of mine died in an avalanche on K2 many years ago. It's an excepted hazard, but still shocking.

 

[The Esk]

Mate of mine died in an avalanche on K2 many years ago. It's an excepted hazard, but still shocking.

Aye, @mrs the esk and I know a couple of people who have not returned from mountain trips, however with the sherpas they're doing it for a living not for enjoyment in the main (at least in my mind)

 

[Coach]

Everest gets pretty crowded in the climbing season. Look at this incredible picture of the Lhotse Face:

For about 10 years I dreamt of climbing Everest then I saw photos like this and realised I had been having nightmares.

 

[sbbefc]

I watched a documentary which followed the life of a sherpa. Tough life they have out there.

There was also a documentary about the disaster on K2 a few years ago, seemed a bit of a weird scenario and avoidable, but I guess its so easy to make mistakes at those altitudes.

 

[steken1]

I often look at big snowy mountains and wonder why people don't just roll down from the top once they get there.

I live in a very simple world!

Magnificent achievement. I've heard K2 is the harder to climb though.