1924 British Mount Everest Expedition - Erection of The Camps

Erection of The Camps

The positions of the high camps were planned before the expedition took place. Camp I (5400m) was erected as an intermediate camp at the entrance of the East Rongbuk Glacier to the main valley. Camp II (about 6000m) was erected as another intermediate camp, halfway to Camp III (advanced base camp, 6400m) about 1 km from the icy slopes leading up to the north col.

Supplies were transported by about 150 porters from base camp to advanced base camp. The porters were paid around one shilling per day. At the end of April they expanded the camp positions, a job which was finished in the first week of May.

Further climbing activities were delayed because of a snow storm. On May 15 the expedition members received the blessings of the Lama at the Rongbuk Monastery. As the weather started to improve, Norton, Mallory, Somervell and Odell arrived on May 19 at Camp III. One day later they started to fix ropes on the icy slopes to the north col. They erected Camp IV on May 21 at a height of 7,000 metres (22,970 ft).

Once again the weather conditions deteriorated. John de Vere Hazard remained in Camp IV on the north col with twelve porters and little food. Eventually Hazard was able to climb down, but only eight porters came with him. The other four porters, who had become ill, were rescued by Norton, Mallory and Somervell. The whole expedition returned to Camp I. There, 15 porters who had demonstrated the most strength and competence in climbing were elected as so called “tigers”.