Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Everest: Perfect For Summit Meetings

Not One But Two Mountaineering Stories For You


Did I ever tell you about the time I was sixteen years old and in the company of the most famous Everest mountaineers in the world? No kidding, mate. You name them, they were the climbers beside me. Shoulder to shoulder.

The weather was great. Crisp blue sky. It was mid-morning. We would have been at about 25,000 feet. Maybe even a tad higher. No goggles. We weren't roped together. We weren't even using oxygen.

Now fast forward to 1986, when Tenzing Norgay died. There was only one publication anywhere in the world that flew a photographer and feature writer to cover the funeral of one of the most famous men of the twentieth century, the humble sherpa who accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary to the summit of Everest.

That publication was a weekly magazine, produced in Calcutta, called `Sportsworld’.

The photographer was Nikhil Bhattacharya, electronic gizmo-loving, chain-smoking veteran not just of many significant sporting contests around the world, but a man who had covered the Bangladesh war as well.

The rookie feature writer – now better known as a nominated MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) than his ability as a wordsmith – was a bloke called Barry O’Brien, a gifted stage actor who as a schoolboy narrowly missed out on the title role in the film `Kim’.

The journalist who assigned Bhattacharya and O’Brien to the task was a young fella too, not even born when Sir Edmund Hillary and the sherpa made history, climbing Mount Everest in 1953.

But he was worried. In a rapid series of early-morning phone calls, assigning both colleagues to the tiny Himalayan town of Darjeeling, he had serious misgivings. Not about the story, for he knew the pictures and the story would be of the highest quality. No, he had misgivings for other reasons.

A proud alumnus of St Joseph’s College in Darjeeling, he knew and loved the mountain town like a second home. But at the time – 1986 – the place most people simply called ``Darj’’ was engulfed in the turmoil that surrounded the separatist Gorkhaland quest. Was he justified in sending two colleagues into a place racked with political turmoil, where he could not guarantee their safety? He discussed the issue with both of them. They were both adamant that they would not be at risk.

So he went with his instincts and ordered them to go ahead. It was just too good a news story to miss.

There was no email back then. No mobile phones. Landlines were unreliable. But the rookie reporter and the veteran photographer arrived in Darjeeling, covered the funeral and returned safely to Kolkata. Their coverage was both exceptional and exclusive.

More than 20 years later, maybe someone should dig out that feature article and that box of Kodak transparencies and make the treasure trove available globally, on the Net.

And just in case you're wondering; yes, I was the editor who assigned Nikhil Bhattacharya and Barry O'Brien to cover the funeral of Tenzing Norgay. I was 29 years old at the time.

And yes, I really was at 25,000 feet with the most famous Everest climbers of all time. But we weren't on Everest. We were on an Indian Airlines flight from Calcutta to Bagdogra. I was on my way to Darjeeling for a ten-day holiday; the mountaineers were on their way to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling, to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the conquering of Everest, the world's highest peak.

We weren't using goggles. We weren't roped together. And we weren't even using oxygen. It's the only time in my life I can truthfully say the hard men of Everest were passengers in every sense of the word.

Written for Mrs Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

David that has to be the most amazing 'E' posts - no question about it. Lovely to share your experiences.

Chertiozhnik said...

Yes, that's a really great story! And darjeeling, what a place to go to college.

david mcmahon said...

Hi walksfarwoman,

Why, thank you for that great comment. I'm so glad it had an effect.

It's a simple story, really. But it means so much to hear that from a terrific writer like you.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Chertmeister,

Thank you for those generous words. Yes, Darjeeling is very special to me.

So glad you liked the story.

Keep smiling

David

Akelamalu said...

Wow you're famous! What a great story thanks for sharing.

PS I put my answer to this week's question up today.

david mcmahon said...

Hi Akelamalu,

Famous? No, not famous. I just enjoy what I do.

Thanks for being in touch. Will ceck out your link in the next few minutes.

Cheers

David

Anonymous said...

WOW - above and beyond the ABC Wednesday standard. Loved the post.

Anonymous said...

WOW... what a fantastic photo and an amazing story to go with it. Thank you.

GuNs said...

Wow, that is amazing!
I am sure these are a few things that you would look back at and be satisfied, if not elated with the life you've had so far.

Hope to see you doing many more good things on your job and otherwise.

-PeAcE
--WiTh
---GuNs

Pijush said...

Hi David,

This is a fantastic post. One of the best I read so far. Glad to know that you have taken the initiative to cover the funeral of Tenzing Norgay. I didn�t know you were the editor of Sportsworld � the best Sport Magazine of India that time. Thanks for sharing the story.

Cheers,
Pijush

fuzzbert_1999@yahoo.com said...

That was fun...enjoyed that imensely!

Les Becker said...

Wow! Is there anything you haven't done? C'mon, fess up! Sometimes, reading your blog makes my small little life feel so.... well, small.

It's definitely time for me to get a life.

dot said...

You may not know who Johnny Cash is but you make me think of his song...Chorus)
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Across the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere.

Loved the story and photo!

Mansi said...

Another winner here David!! I particularly enjoyed it as it took me close to India, my home!!

Annie said...

You win with Everest as the E shot. Not only did you post the photo, you told a tale about it. Wonderful.

Digital Flower Pictures said...

I realize its Thursday already where you are but better late than never, I guess. Cool story about meeting the climbers. I think you should dig out that box and post it on the net.

david mcmahon said...

Hi DWQ online,

Thank you for those wonderful words. Cherish 'em.

Keep smiling

David

Anonymous said...

And what a first post to discover a blog with !

"It's the only time in my life I can truthfully say the hard men of Everest were passengers in every sense of the word."

I'm an old faithful of the Sportsworld school and I'll say this - stories such as this one were not rare. Sportsworld took its readers to lofty heights often...

Cheers.

david mcmahon said...

Hi Nicole,

Thanks you for visiting. Glad you liked the photo and the post.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Guns,

Nice to hear from you again. Yes, I am certainly elated with the life I've had so far.

Could not ask for more

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Pijush,

My official designation was associate editor - it was an amazing period in my early career.

Glad you liked the post - and the magazine!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Mushy,

Coming from a writer and a man of life experience such as yourself, I take that as a VERY big compliment.

Thanks, buddy

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Les,

You always crack me up. You have a life. A wonderful life.

That's another thing we have in common, and we have many things in common, inclluding a zest for life!

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Dot,

Johnny Cash is eternal, in every language, in every country ....

Great lyrics ...

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Mansi,

So glad you enjoyed that post.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Annie,

Thank you very much for those kind words. Really appreciate your sentiments.

Loved your escalator shot, by the way.

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

Hi Mike,

Isn't it amazing, to know that a little yellow and white box of Kodak transparencies have such wonderful historical value?

Strangely enough, Tenzing's son Tashi lives here in Australia. Small world ...

Keep smiling

David

david mcmahon said...

G'day SFX,

Thak you. Great to hear from a Sportsworld reader. Yes, I firmly believe the writers on that magazine were the finest I have ever worked with.

It was a great privilege to lead young men as supremely talented as them. And I was the ``old man'' of the group because they were only in their early to mid twenties.

The dedication in my novel Vegemite Vindaloo also mentions that the gang at Sportsworld were and still are the best writers I ever worked alongside.

Cheers and do keep in touch

Keep smiling

David

Unknown said...

Sherpas are the true heroes on Everest. One third of all deaths on the mountain have been Sherpas but one rarely learns of this. To learn more about this amazing tribe that makes climbing Everest possible, read Beyond the Summit by Linda LeBlanc. Details of Sherpa culture and religion are interwoven in a tale of romance and high adventure. The story has something for everyone: a love affair between an American journalist and Sherpa guide, conflict between generations as the modern world challenges centuries of tradition, an expedition from the porter's point of view.

Below are selections from reviews. To read the complete ones and excerpts go to www.beyondthesummit-novel.com

Beyond the Summit, is the rare gem that shows us the triumphs and challenges of a major climb from the porter’s point of view. The love of two people from diverse cultures is the fiery centerpiece of a novel that leads its readers through harshly beautiful and highly dangerous territory to the roof of the world. Malcolm Campbell, book reviewer

Conflict and dialog keep this gripping story of destiny, romance and adventure moving from the first page to the last paragraph. LeBlanc has a genius for bonding her readers and her characters. I found I was empathizing in turn with each character as they faced their own personal crisis or trauma.
Richard Blake for Readers Views.


A gripping, gut-twisting expedition through the eyes of a porter reveals the heart and soul of Sherpas living in the shadows of Everest. EverestNews.com

A hard-hitting blend of adventure and romance which deserves a spot in any serious fiction collection. Midwest Book Review

LeBlanc is equally adept at describing complex, elusive emotions and the beautiful, terrifying aspect of the Himalayan Mountains. Boulder Daily Camera

LeBlanc's vivid description of the Himalayas and the climbing culture makes this a powerful read. Rocky Mt News Pick of the Week

A rich adventure into the heart of the Himalayan Kingdom. Fantastic story-telling from one who has been there. USABookNews.com

This is the book to read before you embark on your pilgrimage to Nepal. The author knows and loves the people and the country, and makes you feel the cold thin air, the hard rocks of the mountains, the tough life of the Sherpa guides, and you learn to love them too. This is a higly literate, but also very readable book. Highly recommended."
-- John (college professor)

Memorable characters and harrowing encounters with the mountains keep the action moving with a vibrant balance of vivid description and dialogue. Literary Cafe Host, Healdsburg, CA

This superbly-crafted novel will land you in a world of unimaginable beauty, adventure, and romance. The love story will keep you awake at night with its vibrant tension and deep rich longing. Wick Downing, author of nine novels

Such vividly depicted images of the Everest region and the Sherpa people are the perfect scenario for the romance and adventure feats narrated. It's a page-turner, so engrossing you end up wanting to visit Nepal! Not just novel, but perfect for those seeking to get acquainted with the culture of this country.
By Claudia Fournier (América, Bs. As., Argentina)

FHB said...

Great story. Loved it.

Edmund (the explorer) Nesbitt said...

Gosh David, as me mum would say,"What a small world eh?"
I am impressed!

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