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Four more against Everest
10:49 a.m. EST Nov 5, 2003
In 1962, Woodrow Wilson Sayre headed off “with a band of good friends out to see what they could do on a mountain and to enjoy themselves as much as possible in the process." The mountain was Everest. Sayre and his three climbing partners made a daring, illegal attempt on the peak’s North Face and reached 25,500 feet without oxygen or porters. Despite accidents, open bivouacs above 20,000 feet and horrendous weather, all four returned alive. It was a legendary trip made by climbers who were in it for the adventure.
Now, a group of climbers from the US aims to recreate Sayre’s journey – following the same route, climbing alpine style. They will also try for the summit. Rand Chatterjee, Larry Sodano and Larry Takiff intend to undertake the eight-week trek and climb during the spring of 2004. They are looking for a fourth person to complete the team.
The group also has several other goals. They hope to bring Sayre’s book Four Against Everest back into print; re-edit and screen his Four Against Everest film, 31 minutes of documentary footage on Everest’s North Face (be sure to check out their Web site for some of the clips from the historic film) – Sayre carried 45 lbs of film equipment to the North Col and shot the team up to 25,500 feet despite all the hardships the group faced on the route.
The team is also putting together a new book and film about the life, spirit and achievements of Sayre. Their Web site states, “Woodrow Wilson Sayre passed a year ago September after 83 years on the cutting edge of nearly every activity he undertook. He was an inspiration for superalpinists and philosophy students alike, and also to many others. Somehow he managed to defy the odds, and become both an old and bold mountaineer. He is remembered fondly by all.”
If interested in participating in the expedition, click on the group's Web page at left.
Image - ExplorersWeb Files.
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