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1960: China’s DISPUTED Everest Summit – Fact or Fiction?

Everest Mystery

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In 1960 the Chinese embarked upon one of the most punishing, high stakes expeditions in Everest history. They claimed to have summited the mountain via the technical ridge route. The western world was doubtful. But, the Chinese celebrated the first ever ascent from the north. In this video we'll take a deep dive into the controversy so you will be able to decide if the Chines did, or did not, succeed in the first ascent of the north side of Mount Everest.

RESOURCES FOR FURTHER RESEARCH:

Jochen Hemmleb weighs in on the 1960 expedition, EXPERT CLIMBER EXPLAINS: Truth Behind Chinese 1960 Everest Mystery: EXPERT CLIMBER EXPLAINS: Truth Behind Chin...

Mark Horrell's blog Did Chinese climbers reach the summit of Everest in 1960?:
https://www.markhorrell.com/blog/2013...

Jochen Hemmleb and Eric Simonson's book Detectives On Everest:
https://www.amazon.com/Detectives-Eve...

SANDY IRVINE'S Remains DISCOVERED! Historian Jochen Hemmleb': 100 Years Missing: SANDY IRVINE'S Remains ...

Here is the interview with Jamie McGuinness mentioned: Why We Can't Find Sandy Irvine's Body on E...

Mark Synnott's interview about the Chinese removing the body and camera of Sandy Irvine: Sandy Irvine & the Camera Were Discovered?...

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Thank you for watching this video! We want to clarify that some of the footage used in this content is intended for educational purposes, providing commentary and analysis on the subject matter. We respect copyright holders and have made efforts to attribute the sources wherever possible. Our goal is to enhance the educational value of our content, fostering understanding and critical thinking.

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Everest Mystery

20 Comments

@EverestMystery Creator 1 year ago (edited) Pinned

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@ukrulesall1 1 year ago

How amazing is it to hear someone cite their sources. Unheard of in this day and age. Well done my friend. Love the content. You have a new subscriber.

@jackkinney283 1 month ago

It’s honestly hilarious or ignorance that anyone thinks they could realistically come close to the summit and survive. Can almost guarantee they didn’t even climb the second step.

@kylegates6043 1 year ago

Off topic, but your channel along with studying the endeavors of Mallory and Irvine have inspired me to into get mountaineering. I reached the summit of Mount Tecumseh this morning, my first 4000 footer. Keep up the good work Thom.

@burfollydurmak4826 1 year ago (edited)

Missed your live stream but i'm awake for this... cheers superchief.. (you've had a big day) lotsa love from australia

@MrCooter29 1 year ago

I watched the movie about that called The Climb. In the beginning, it shows them burying a flashlight they stuffed with the Chinese flag. Yet when questioned later about any evidence, they never mentioned that part.

@roberthunter5398 1 year ago

I really enjoyed your delivery of a fascinating subject. Thank you so much for taking the time Thom 😊

@narichey1981 1 year ago

They say they lost a tent and their cooker from the assault camp, so there was no way to get water for the climb. So we are to believe they did something like 30 hours of climbing above 8000 meters before they could get back to their camp 6 completely without water, and much of it without oxygen, with very little experience, in the dark on an unfamiliar route? By far the most likely thing that happened was they climbed the second step with pitons, they turned around at about the height of their highest photograph, so basically at the third step, because that's where they would have run out of oxygen. The question could be easily resolved by just letting a western geologist examine the summit rocks. The fact that the Chinese haven't taken that simple step tells me they dont want anyone examining those rocks.

@marga5117 1 year ago

Thanks for always giving your valuable literature and other sources to allow us to further satisfy our Mystery curiosity!

@lbaruzzi 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing the content and your thoughts

@RoastedOnion17 1 year ago

Tom, this was absolutely incredible. The way you tell these Everest stories is truly captivating—you have a real gift for bringing the mountain and its history to life. It’s not just the facts, but the emotion, the atmosphere, and the respect you show for the climbers and the mountain itself that really sets your videos apart. I felt completely immersed from start to finish. Thanks for putting so much thought and effort into your content—can’t wait to see what you share next!

@votemerlen3795 11 months ago

What makes it more credible to me is that they did do two 7000m Soviet peaks as prep. Now I have no idea if they really succeeded or not but I find the debate interesting along with the other undocumented summits by other cherished national heroes

@WolfEyes88 1 year ago

Thank you for posting these videos! 😊

@matthewr.kleinlein1332 4 months ago

Well told! Much enjoyed

@Andy-o1p 10 months ago

I've lived in Asia for around 5 years now. I'm from UK. Some of you will know this but some might not. What I've noticed from working, living, travelling around Asia is that they put 'saving face' above EVERYTHING else, including the truth. I've noticed this to different degrees in Asian countries. It's an inherent part of Asian cultures and for us westerners it can be quite disconecerting to see the way people can just tell bald-faced lies in order to not lose face. So I doubt very much that they sumitted but not in the least bit surprised that they claimed they did

@Spike-sk7ql 1 year ago

So, still we have people claiming the British team in 24 was climbing the modern ridge route, when Mallory said many times that he did NOT plan on climbing the ridge. Also, Norton and Summerville almost broke through the coloure right before Mallory, and Irvine's climb. There is Mallorys own writings about NOT climbing the ridge. Malloryand Irvine never attempted to climb the 2nd step, so of course there wouldnt be anything there from prior expeditions.

@kumiho8 1 year ago

I've been watching your videos and learning a lot about Everest. While I'm not a climber or mountaineer myself, I'm truly fascinated by the history of Everest as the world's highest peak—much like how I enjoy learning about Titanic. I’d love to hear your take on the story of Nobukazu Kuriki.

@nopeanotta 2 days ago

Yes! Ive been fascinated by Everest as well for years. Been watching your content for a while now. But what made me subscribe is you love the White mountains and New Hampshire! Its a beautiful place. Not as high as Everest but just as beautiful. My family lives in Colebrook! ❤❤!!

@billykershaw2781 1 year ago

Been thinking about this vid all day...

@wochee 1 year ago

Thank you Thom. As I've said before, I am no mountain climber, but I was a skeleton athlete, and love the ideal of pushing myself beyond my imagined limits. I suspect the two disciplines have a spirit in common. Peace, love and happiness from Australia.