The first successful ascent of Everest 60 years ago – in pictures

A new book published by the Royal Geographical Society celebrates the 60th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Mount Everest, on 29 May 1953. Scroll through the gallery to view a selection of the 400 photographs in the book, some of which will be on display at an exhibition at London's Oxo Tower Wharf, opening today and running until 9 June

• Read our guide to trekking in the Himalayas in Saturday's Guardian Travel

  • In 1951, after three decades of failed attempts to conquer Everest, an expedition led by Eric Shipton was sent to the region to seek a potential route to the summit. Among its members was an experienced climber from New Zealand called Edmund Hillary. This was followed by a training expedition to the area, while awaiting the outcome of two Swiss attempts to reach the summit in 1952, both of which failed. Accompanying the Swiss climbers was a Sherpa by the name of Tenzing Norgay.
    Everest base camp panorama

  • Thus, in 1953, the way was clear for the British to have another crack at Everest. A team was assembled under the leadership of John Hunt. Hillary was among the climbing party, as was Tenzing Norgay. Prior to making their assault, the expedition scaled a number of mountains in the area. Chukhung peak was one of them, and Norgay is seen standing on the summit at 5,913m.
    everest: Tenzing Norgay on the summit of Chukhung Peak

  • Profiting from the Swiss experience the previous year, Hunt’s men worked their way up the Khumbu glacier, through its fearsome icefall and across the western Cwm to the foot of the Lhotse face. They scaled the face, traversed the steep ice slope above and finally reached the wind-blasted South Col. From a camp here, two attempts were made on the summit. The second, by Hillary and Tenzing, put them on top of the world at 11.30am on 29 May, 1953. Mighty Everest had been tamed at last.
    Everestextras: Flying above the Himalayas

  • This Indian air force photograph of the south-west face of Everest shows the route of the successful ascent with the Khumbu glacier in the foreground.
    Route of 1953 successful ascent of Mount Everest

  • Before setting out on the expedition Tenzing Norgay sought the blessing of his mother, Kinzom, at Thyangboche monastery. She wanted to be sure he was fit and well enough to go; having satisfied herself, she returned to her home.
    Everest: Tenzing Norgay with his mother at Thyangboche Monastery

  • Members of the expedition check and sort through their stores and equipment at the town of Bhadgaon. Around 13 tons of baggage accompanied the expedition. Hundreds of porters were needed to transport it all to base camp.
    everest: Everest teammembers at Bhadgaon

  • Any water that wasn't frozen was warm enough to bathe in. At least, that seems to have been the view of Edmund Hillary, seen here enjoying a bracing dip in a mountain stream.
    Everest: Edmund Hillary takes a dip

  • New Zealander George Lowe watches Tenzing Norgay test-fit crampons to his new climbing boots at the expedition's camp alongside the monastery at Thyangboche, where they stayed for three weeks to acclimatise.
    everest: Tenzing Norgay holding crampons

  • The expedition's base camp on the Khumbu glacier, with the peak of Lingtren rearing up behind. Snowfall covered everything in a white mantle.
    Everest Base Camp with Lingtren behind

  • Sherpas, dwarfed by the landscape of broken ice and snow, carry heavy loads along a tortuous route through the Khumbu icefall on their way to camp II.
    everest: Everest expedition team members in the Icefall

  • Sherpas are led across the western Cwm, which was riven with deep crevasses. They appear to be on firm snow but the problem with the terrain was always that appearances could be deceptive.
    everest: Everest expedition sherpas make their way across the Western Cwm

  • Sherpas ferrying supplies across a log bridge over a crevasse in the western Cwm. The crampons on their boots make the procedure doubly hazardous. The expedition had only two aluminium ladders and a few tree trunks to bridge crevasses.
    everest: Everest sherpas in crampons cross log bridge, Western Cwm

  • Advance base, camp IV, at the foot of the Lhotse face at 6,500m. From here, loads had to be carried up the steep and hazardous face, and then across it to reach the windswept South Col of Everest.
    everest: A camp on the snows of Everest

  • Sherpas enjoying a well-earned break at camp IV. Snow goggles were essential to combat the glare from the surrounding landscape.
    everest: Everest sherpas at Camp IV eating and resting

  • Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay approach laden with extra equipment to establish their final camp, at almost 8,534m. The photograph was taken by Alf Gregory, a member of their support team. From this point on they would be on their own.
    everest: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay approaching 28-000 feet

  • Hillary's view to the west from the summit, with Pumori in the foreground. Cho Oyu (centre) and the West Rongbuk glacier (bottom right) can also be seen.
    everest: Everest view from the Summit looking westView from the Summit looking west

  • Expedition members on their way back to camp IV after the triumph of 29 May, 1953. Left to right, Charles Evans, Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, Tom Bourdillon and George Band.
    1953 Everest team members return to Camp IV

  • Members of the successful expedition. John Hunt can be seen in the front standing row (third left). To his left is Tenzing Norgay and immediately behind him Edmund Hillary.
    everest: The 1953 Mount Everest team
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