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

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. Photograph: fotoVoyager/Getty Images

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

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. Photograph: Stephen D Harper/Getty Images/Flickr RF

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)'

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

The expedition's base camp on the Khumbu glacier, with the peak of Lingtren rearing up behind. Snowfall covered everything in a white mantle. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

Sherpas enjoying a well-earned break at camp IV. Snow goggles were essential to combat the glare from the surrounding landscape. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

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. Photograph: © Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)