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Kanchenjunga

Extracts from a BBC documentary of footage from the British expedition to Kangchenjunga in 1955, led by Charles Evans.

1955 13 mins Silent

Overview

Extracts from a BBC documentary of footage from the British expedition to Kangchenjunga in 1955, led by Charles Evans. The first ascent of Kangchenjunga was made on 25th May 1955 when Joe Brown and George Band stopped just short of the summit (a promise they had made to the Nepalese authorities) in respect of local beliefs that it is a sacred place. Norman Hardie and Tony Streather summited the following day. At this time, Kangchenjunga was the world’s highest unclimbed peak.

Team members were: - George Band, Joe Brown, John Clegg (expedition doctor), Charles Evans (expedition leader), Norman Hardie, John Jackson, Tom Mackinnon, Neil Mather and Tony Streather. Sherpas were: - Annullu, Dawa Tenzing, Urkien, Da Tsering, Changjup, Lobsang, Topke, Pasang Sonar and Ang Temba. The name ‘Five Treasures of Snow’ comes from its five peaks – it is a sacred mountain worshipped by the peoples of Darjeeling and Sikkim.