Summary Chapter 2 Flashcards
Who discovered the highest mountain in the world in 1852?
Radhanath Sikhdar
What did Radhanath Sikhdar use to estimate the height of Mount Everest?
Mathematics
What was the estimated height of Mount Everest above sea level according to Sikhdar?
29,000 feet
In what year was Mount Everest named, and who named it?
Named in 1865 by Andrew Waugh
How long did it take for someone to successfully climb Mount Everest after its discovery?
101 years
What shape is Mount Everest described as?
A massive, three-sided pyramid of ice and rock
Which side of Mount Everest did most early explorers attempt to climb?
The northern, Tibetan side
Who got within 900 feet of the summit of Everest in 1924?
Edward Felix Norton
What happened to George Leigh Mallory and Andrew Irvine during their 1924 attempt?
They were lost in a storm and never seen again
What was the date when Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first reached the summit of Everest?
May 29, 1953
What significant British event coincided with Hillary and Norgay’s successful climb?
The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
What was the public’s reaction in Great Britain to the climb of Everest by Hillary and Norgay?
An outpouring of patriotism
What is notable about the naming of Mount Everest?
It bears the name of a British colonial authority despite being measured by a Bengali surveyor
What characterized the challenges of climbing Everest?
Rocky terrain and high altitude
True or False: The fatalities on Everest discouraged mountaineers from attempting to climb.
False
What was Jon Krakauer’s profession before he climbed Everest?
Fisherman and carpenter
What were Krakauer’s feelings about climbing Everest by the time he was thirty?
He thought it wasn’t challenging or beautiful enough
What did the Nepalese government begin charging for in 1991?
Climbing permits
Fill in the blank: By the mid-1990s, it cost ______ to climb Everest.
50,000 dollars
What was the fee for the climbing permit Krakauer needed for the 1995 expedition?
65,000 dollars
Who led the expedition that Krakauer joined in 1996?
Rob Hall
What does Krakauer’s book combine in its narrative?
A history of mountaineering on Everest and his personal experiences
How has the perception of climbing Everest changed since Hillary and Norgay’s ascent?
It has become less challenging and more commercialized
What does Krakauer’s passion for climbing reflect despite his age?
His willingness to train and attempt Everest
