Describes the realities and risks of attempting to climb Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain, from the perspective of a member of a team of British mountaineers in 1952.

Includes index.

Mount Everest -- Into the death zone -- Picking the team -- Testing times -- Nepal -- Base camp -- Moving supplies -- The plan for the top -- The Mallory mystery -- The first attempt -- The backup plan -- On top of the world.