70th Anniversary of Mount Everest Conquest Honors Early Climbers and Sherpa Guides.

Before the successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953, there were 14 or 15 attempts to climb the peak, each with its own unique story. The first British reconnaissance expedition was launched in 1921, followed by several attempts in the 1920s and 1930s, including the disappearance of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine in 1924. In the 1950s, Swiss and Nepalese expeditions made attempts, while a rumored Soviet expedition in 1952 was denied by authorities.