George Mallory
1886-1924The legendary British mountaineer who participated in the first three British Everest expeditions. His famous response "Because it's there" when asked why he wanted to climb Everest has become the quintessential mountaineering quote. Mallory's disappearance near the summit in 1924 remains one of mountaineering's greatest mysteries.
"Because it's there."
Tenzing Norgay
1914-1986The Sherpa mountaineer who, along with Edmund Hillary, became one of the first two people to reach the summit of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. His expertise and courage were instrumental in the success of the expedition, and he became a symbol of Sherpa strength and determination.
Edmund Hillary
1919-2008New Zealand mountaineer and explorer who, with Tenzing Norgay, was the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Hillary's humble nature and dedication to helping the Sherpa people through his humanitarian work made him beloved worldwide.
Reinhold Messner
1944-PresentThe first person to climb all fourteen eight-thousanders and the first to climb Everest solo without supplemental oxygen. Messner's philosophy of "fair means" climbing has influenced generations of mountaineers and redefined what's possible in high-altitude climbing.
Ueli Steck
1976-2017Known as the "Swiss Machine," Steck revolutionized alpine climbing with his speed ascents. He set numerous records on the North Face of the Eiger and pioneered solo climbing techniques that redefined what was possible in the mountains.
Junko Tabei
1939-2016The first woman to summit Mount Everest and the first woman to complete the Seven Summits. Tabei broke barriers for women in mountaineering and was also a passionate environmental advocate, promoting sustainable climbing practices.
Jerzy Kukuczka
1948-1989The second person to climb all fourteen eight-thousanders, achieving this feat in just 7 years and 11 months - faster than Messner. Known for his bold, alpine-style ascents and new route pioneering on the world's highest peaks.
Alex Lowe
1958-1999Widely considered one of the greatest all-around climbers of his generation. Lowe excelled in rock, ice, and high-altitude climbing, known for his incredible strength, speed, and technical ability across all climbing disciplines.