7 - 29 April: Journey to Everest Base Camp

The convoy trekked across the featureless plain backed by distant mountains. There were frequent snow flurries and constant freezing winds. Edward Norton assumed command when General Bruce was struck down with malaria and forced to return to India. Beetham suffered from dysentery and was also in danger of being sent back.

They halted at the fortress of Kampa Dzong to give him time to recover. Resuming their journey across the desolate landscape the expedition members met with local Tibetan officials to swap the yaks for donkeys and at the spectacular Buddhist monastery of Shekar Dzong they turned south to head directly towards Mount Everest.

The landscape became even more rugged and the temperature even colder until at last they came in sight of the awesome North Face of the mountain. 

A barren landscape with mountains in the background. In the foreground, there is an individual leading a horse across what appears to be a dry, rocky terrain. The scene is devoid of vegetation, and the mountains have visible folds and ridges.

7 - 29 April: Journey to Everest Base Camp

A barren landscape with mountains in the background. In the foreground, there is an individual leading a horse across what appears to be a dry, rocky terrain. The scene is devoid of vegetation, and the mountains have visible folds and ridges.

The convoy trekked across the featureless plain backed by distant mountains. There were frequent snow flurries and constant freezing winds. Edward Norton assumed command when General Bruce was struck down with malaria and forced to return to India. Beetham suffered from dysentery and was also in danger of being sent back.

They halted at the fortress of Kampa Dzong to give him time to recover. Resuming their journey across the desolate landscape the expedition members met with local Tibetan officials to swap the yaks for donkeys and at the spectacular Buddhist monastery of Shekar Dzong they turned south to head directly towards Mount Everest.

The landscape became even more rugged and the temperature even colder until at last they came in sight of the awesome North Face of the mountain. 

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Snow-covered mountains in the background, open field with grazing animals, small encampment with a tent and wagons in the foreground. Clear sky.

Camp on the high plateau at La Dung

Camp on the high plateau at La Dung

Two yaks lying on the ground, one in the foreground with prominent horns and thick coat, another partially visible in the background.

Resting yaks

Resting yaks

Snow-capped mountain in the background, caravan of pack animals led by people in the foreground, flat terrain with sparse vegetation.

Yak transport trekking across the high plateau towards Kampa Dzong

Yak transport trekking across the high plateau towards Kampa Dzong

Group of individuals walking in a line with a herd of yaks, in a rugged landscape. Towering mountains in the background with peaks shrouded by clouds.

Yak transport trekking across the high plateau towards Kampa Dzong

Yak transport trekking across the high plateau towards Kampa Dzong

Several yaks and a tent in an open space with distant mountains in the background. Various items scattered on the ground.

High plateau camp at Lung-ma-Dok

High plateau camp at Lung-ma-Dok

Group of individuals with yaks in a barren, mountainous terrain. Mountains in the background partially obscured by clouds.

Loading up the yaks

Loading up the yaks

Herd of yaks walking on a vast plain with snow-capped mountains in the background under a hazy sky.

Yak transport trekking across the high plateau towards Kampa Dzong

Yak transport trekking across the high plateau towards Kampa Dzong

Several tents set up in a flat area with a stone wall, rocky terrain in the foreground, snow-capped mountains in the background.

High plateau camp

High plateau camp

Caravan of yaks led by individuals across rugged terrain with snow-covered mountain range in the background.

Yak transport trekking across the high plateau towards Kampa Dzong

Yak transport trekking across the high plateau towards Kampa Dzong

Stone buildings with flat roofs, large rocky outcrop in the background, person riding a donkey on a dirt road. Arid and sparsely vegetated.

At Kampa Dzong

At Kampa Dzong

Historical fortress on a steep hillside leading to a body of water. Multiple levels with battlements, stone construction, clear sky.

Curtain wall, Kampa Dzong citadel

Curtain wall, Kampa Dzong citadel

Steep, layered rock formation with ancient fortified structures along the top edge, including remnants of towers or battlements.

Kampa Dzong fortifications

Kampa Dzong fortifications

Ancient stone structure with multiple levels built into a steep rocky cliff, featuring narrow windows and weathered appearance.

Close up of the towers at Kampa Dzong

Close up of the towers at Kampa Dzong

Two individuals with a donkey in a barren, rocky landscape with dilapidated stone and mud brick buildings.

In the village at Kampa Dzong

In the village at Kampa Dzong

Group of individuals gathered around an entrance with a stone wall, some sitting on top, with visible flags.

The villagers of Kampa Dzong

The villagers of Kampa Dzong

Three black and white photographs of an individual holding a circular frame above their head.

Woman spinning wool

Woman spinning wool

Two photos of a group of women in elaborate hats holding two babies and smiling for the camera.

Women and children at Kampa Dzong

Women and children at Kampa Dzong

Ancient fortress on a high rocky outcrop with multiple levels and flat roofs, expansive plains, and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
Ancient fortress on a high rocky outcrop with multiple levels and flat roofs, expansive plains, and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.

The citadel at Kampa Dzong

The citadel at Kampa Dzong

Kampa is only a small but a most spectacular place with a fort perched like an eyrie on top of a vertical cliff... Now the upper stories of the fort are given over to the making of rugs on hand looms. They are made of pure wool from Tibetan sheep and the colours are soft and pleasing.

Kampa Dzong, 12 - 14 April 1924
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Vast landscape with buildings in the foreground, a reflective body of water in a valley, and distant snow-capped mountains.

Landscape enroute to Tinki

Landscape enroute to Tinki

Old, dilapidated building with a flat roof and visible damage, set against a backdrop of mountains partially obscured by clouds.

A village on the way to Tinki

A village on the way to Tinki

Two black and white photographs of individuals with pack animals traversing a desert landscape with rolling hills.

On the trail to Tinki

On the trail to Tinki

Two black and white photographs of a herd of pack animals being led along a barren landscape with mountains in the background.

On the trail to Tinki

On the trail to Tinki

Old buildings with thick walls, possibly part of a fortification, reflected in a body of water in the foreground.

A settlement near Tinki

A settlement near Tinki

Three individuals in a rocky outdoor setting, with baskets nearby and one holding a rope.

Making paper from birch bark

Making paper from birch bark

Rustic outdoor scene with a traditional tent, stones piled up, a dog near a container, and an expansive landscape with hills.

Nomad's tent

Nomad's tent

Person leading pack animals across a flat landscape with a body of water and mountains in the background.

Yak convoy arriving at Tinki lake

Yak convoy arriving at Tinki lake

Individual standing next to a yak, in a barren landscape.

Yak herder

Yak herder

Group of individuals standing side by side, wearing long coats and formal suits.

George Mallory, Edward Norton and Geoff Bruce meeting with the Dzong Pen at Tinki

George Mallory, Edward Norton and Geoff Bruce meeting with the Dzong Pen at Tinki

Close-up of a donkey’s head with a furry coat and long ears, wearing a metal object on its snout.

Donkey with bell

Donkey with bell

Two black and white photographs of individuals on horseback in a large open landscape with mountains in the background.

The trail from Tinki

The trail from Tinki

Group of individuals on horseback gathered at the top of a ridge in a barren, rocky landscape with mountain ranges in the background.

Following the rim of the gorge west of Tinki

Following the rim of the gorge west of Tinki

Historical encampment in a valley with several tents, horses, and pack animals, set against a backdrop of mountains and a body of water.

Camp at Jikyop

Camp at Jikyop

Caravan of animals crossing a river and some drinking from the water, with figures mounted and walking alongside.

Fording the Chiblung Chu river

Fording the Chiblung Chu river

Large gathering of people and animals in an open space near a lake with a fortified structure and mountains in the background.
Large gathering of people and animals in an open space near a lake with a fortified structure and mountains in the background.

The camp on the shore of the lake at Tinki Dzong

The camp on the shore of the lake at Tinki Dzong

We had to take a large number of donkeys as sufficient yaks were not forthcoming. The Tibetan donkeys are tiny little fellows but they are good goers. They are wickedly overworked and overloaded.

Jikyop - Tinki Dzong, 16 - 17 April 1924
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Vast, open valley with a river running through rugged terrain, scattered rocks in the foreground, and distant mountain ranges under a clear sky.

Mount Everest 60 miles distant

Mount Everest 60 miles distant

Large group of people and animals in an arid valley with mountains in the background, some tents set up suggesting an encampment.

Camp at Kyishong

Camp at Kyishong

Group of individuals in a barren, rocky landscape with pack animals, mountains in the distance.

Donkey convoy making its way through the Phung Chu valley

Donkey convoy making its way through the Phung Chu valley

landscape with distinctive rock formations, a small body of water in the foreground, and cloudy sky with mountains on the horizon.

A ruined city on the banks of the Phung Chu river

A ruined city on the banks of the Phung Chu river

Group of individuals in a barren, rocky landscape, engaged in a communal activity around several tables.

Breakfast before descending to Shekar

Breakfast before descending to Shekar

Group of individuals walking in a line across a rocky, barren landscape with mountains in the background.

Edward Norton, John Hazard and Geoff Bruce arriving at Shekar

Edward Norton, John Hazard and Geoff Bruce arriving at Shekar

Rugged mountain with structures on its slopes, positioned at various elevations, in a steep and barren terrain under a clear sky.

Shekar Dzong

Shekar Dzong

Old building with traditional architecture on a rocky hillside, several levels with flat roof and small windows, group of people at the entrance.

The gateway to Shekar Monastery

The gateway to Shekar Monastery

Black and white photo of ornate stupa-like structures with fabric draped over them, set against rolling hills and a clear sky.

Golden ornaments on the roof of Shekar Monastery

Golden ornaments on the roof of Shekar Monastery

Black and white photo of two individuals in front of an ancient stone structure with an ornate window or doorway.

Prayer wheels at Shekar Monastery

Prayer wheels at Shekar Monastery

Black and white photo of two individuals with stringed instruments, one standing and one seated, with three children in traditional attire in an arid landscape.

Musicians at Shekar

Musicians at Shekar

Black and white photo of a mountainous landscape with snow-covered peaks in the background and a rocky valley leading to a body of water.

Mount Everest 30 miles distant seen from the Pang La pass

Mount Everest 30 miles distant seen from the Pang La pass

A barren landscape with mountains in the background. In the foreground, there is an individual leading a horse across what appears to be a dry, rocky terrain. The scene is devoid of vegetation, and the mountains have visible folds and ridges.

Beetham's horse 'Ginger' crossing the Pang La pass

Beetham's horse 'Ginger' crossing the Pang La pass

Black and white photo of a mountainous landscape with a caravan of pack animals and individuals on foot, rugged terrain, and snow patches.

The descent from the Pang La

The descent from the Pang La

Black and white photo of ruins of an old bridge with arches, a group on horseback crossing, rocky terrain, and mountains in the background.

A bridge on the way to Tashi

A bridge on the way to Tashi

Black and white photo of a mountainous terrain with a group traversing a narrow path between rocky slopes under an overcast sky.

Descending the gorge enroute to Tashi

Descending the gorge enroute to Tashi

Black and white photo of a mountainous landscape with a caravan of pack animals and individuals on foot, rugged terrain, and steep rocky slopes.

The convoy descending the desolate gorge towards Tashi

The convoy descending the desolate gorge towards Tashi

Black and white photo of a rugged landscape with rocky hill, ancient ruins, grazing yaks, and two tents pitched on grassy ground.

The camp at Tashi Dzong

The camp at Tashi Dzong

Black and white photo of a campsite with several tents, individuals, and yaks or long-haired cattle in a hilly terrain with sparse vegetation.

Villagers exploring the camp at Tashi

Villagers exploring the camp at Tashi

Portrait photo of an elderly man wearing a hat and long hooped and beaded ear rings.

The Chonzay or Head Man

The Chonzay or Head Man

Black and white photo of a mountainous landscape with a group of individuals and pack animals trekking across rocky terrain, snow patches on mountains, and partly cloudy sky.

Entering the Rongbuk Valley

Entering the Rongbuk Valley

Black and white photo of a mountainous landscape with a snow-covered peak partially obscured by clouds, sloping terrain, and an overcast sky.

The Rongbuk Valley with Mount Everest in the distance

The Rongbuk Valley with Mount Everest in the distance

Black and white photo of a mountainous landscape with a small settlement, two horses (one with a rider), and snow-covered mountains under a cloudy sky.

Above the Rongbuk Monastery with Mount Everest in the background

Above the Rongbuk Monastery with Mount Everest in the background

Black and white photo of a mountainous landscape with a small settlement, traditional buildings, a large stupa-like structure with prayer flags, and snow-capped peaks under a clear sky.

Rongbuk Monastery

Rongbuk Monastery

Black and white photo of a group of individuals in long cloaks in a barren landscape with rocky slopes in the background and a clear sky.

Monks at Rongbuk

Monks at Rongbuk

Portrait photo of an elderly man in a thick coat sticking out his tongue.

Man giving traditional Tibetan greeting

Man giving traditional Tibetan greeting

Black and white photo of a clay tablet with raised relief images of nine Buddhist figures, arranged symmetrically around a central figure.

A Buddhist pilgrim's clay amulet

A Buddhist pilgrim's clay amulet

Black and white photo of a mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks, a flat-roofed structure with ornamentation, rugged terrain, and sparse vegetation.

Mount Everest from the Rongbuk Monastery

Mount Everest from the Rongbuk Monastery

Black and white photo of a mountainous landscape with a snow-capped mountain in the distance, a valley with a winding path or river, and rocky slopes.
Black and white photo of a mountainous landscape with a snow-capped mountain in the distance, a valley with a winding path or river, and rocky slopes.

Everest

Everest

Everest is itself a very holy place, it is, in fact, the abode and sanctuary of some of the overlords of the spirit world, and the glaciers flowing down from its summit are inhabited by so many demons that no Tibetan would venture upon them.

Arriving at Base Camp, 29 April 1924

Finally, the expedition was ready to begin the ascent of Everest.

Continue the Journey

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