Everest Summer Attempt. Nick Banks and then Iain Peter from the UK led five Britons, a New Zealander, an Australian and a Dane on the North Col route of Everest. The leader, one member and three Sherpas reached a high point of 8200 meters on July 23 but snowfall in July made it difficult to break trail in loose snow and campsites were too dangerous. On the team’s arrival in mid June, the weather had been perfect but July brought typical monsoon weather with daily snowfall. In addition, this expedition had the normal problems of commercial teams: it was completely unrealistic for most of the members even to be on Everest because of their lack of skill or strength for a very long route up a very large mountain.

Elizabeth Hawley