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By (user no longer on site) 16 weeks ago
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It’s been said for years that Mallory and Irvine could have been the first ones to the summit but there’s never ever been any proof.
Seems more possible now that they were but doubt there’ll ever be any proper proof.
Interesting though. . |
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Depending upon your definition of when we evolved as humans, there's between half a million and 8 milion years when others likely did so. Unlikely they survived the descent of course unless the climate was significantly different.
Then you have modern civilisations. Some who have genetic benefits which help with breathing in high altitudes or low oxygen environments.
So yeah, Hilary has as much chance of being tbe first, as the same named company has of being the first company to charge a ridiculous premium for putting up a curtain rail. |
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"We know who was the first (from Europe) to get there and back. I think all mountaineers only really count that second bit  "
Fixed 
It all depends on one's definition of where someone came from. Like who "discovered" the Americas. You have to insert quantifiers.
The Nepali (not Nepalese) people are resigned to the fact Western tourism brings income. In private, the stories are consistent and on balance of probability of how many generations have been in the region, very believable.
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"We know who was the first (from Europe)"
Tenzing Norgay wasn't from Europe. As for any other person getting there before those 2, I think previous expeditions conclusively proved that you couldn't get there without modern equipment. Even the genetically adapted Nepalese can't go that high without modern gear. Not just Oxygen, but general climbing equipment.
Discovering the American land mass is a bit different, we know for sure that the vikings reached it. Also Basque fisherman certainly sailed off Canada, whether they made ever made landfall I don't think is known, but I don't know of anyone who thinks that Columbus was the first to discover America...maybe some Americans think that? |
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By *opinovMan 16 weeks ago
Point Nemo, Cumbria |
Personally, I like to believe Mallory and Irvine reached the summit even though there isn't any real hard evidence. Still, I reckon there are a couple of positives: they were last seen less than 300m from the summit and were described as "going strong for the top", and Mallory was known to be carrying a union flag to plant on the summit which was nowhere on his body when he was found. |
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