Just in case it hasn't sunk in yet, this year is the 50th
Anniversary of the first ascent of Everest by Hilary and Tenzing and
to commemorate it, the Helly Hansen National Mountaineering
Exhibition will be showing what it says is 'the largest ever
collection of Everest material'.
The Rheged-based exhibition is going to have a major makeover and
from May this year will be themed 'Everest - the top of the world'.
It is, says Chris Bonington, 'absolutely right that it is Britain's
own National Mountaineering Exhibition that should be leading the
worldwide celebration of the first ascent of the world's highest
mountain.'
Bonington, who led the expedition which first climbed the
mountain's SW Face and later summited himself by the normal route,
characterises Everest as 'both an amazing mountain and a peculiarly
British love affair.'
The re-vamped exhibition will combine original artifacts,
graphics, photography and film to tell the mountain's story. Visitors
will also have the chance to take part in a competition to win a trek
to Everest Base Camp with KE Adventure Travel. Younger visitors will
be able to win a day out in the Lakes with Chris Bonington and his
notoriously dodgy navigation (though we didn't tell you that last
bit, okay?)
During May and June there's also an Everest Lecture Festival in
Rheged's own auditorium with a series of talks from Everest
mountaineers and experts including members of the 1953 expedition,
Bonington, Doug Scott, Rebecca Stephens and Steven Venables.
For more information on the National Mountaineering Exhibition, see
the
web
site and our previous articles below, including a review of the
exhibition as it is now.
