<p><br> Climbers and porters on a 1963 American expedition set off in their bid to summit Mount Everest. The team used 900 porters to carry 27 tons of supplies to base camp. In the end six team members reached the summit with little more than their backpacks.</p>

Team of Everest Climbers, 1963


Climbers and porters on a 1963 American expedition set off in their bid to summit Mount Everest. The team used 900 porters to carry 27 tons of supplies to base camp. In the end six team members reached the summit with little more than their backpacks.

Photograph by Barry Bishop, National Geographic

Early Everest Expeditions Photos

See photos from historic, early Everest expeditions, as selected by National Geographic editors.

Read This Next

'World’s worst shipwreck' was bloodier than we thought
World’s first ultrasounds of wild manta rays reveal a troubling truth
Titanic was found during secret Cold War Navy mission

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet