Led by Sir Chris Bonington, the 1975 expedition saw Doug Scott and Dougal Haston become the first Brits to successfully summit the world’s highest mountain, via a new route. Half a century later and sponsored by British outdoor brand Berghaus, a programme of events in August and September celebrated the achievement and raised funds for Community Action Nepal, the charity that Doug Scott founded to support the Himalayan people.
Discussing Doug Scotts role in the 1975 Everest expedition at the RGS
Each part of the Everest the Hard Way 50th anniversary programme included a fundraising element for Community Action Nepal (CAN), which Doug Scott ran until his death in 2020. The story of the 1975 British expedition to Everest was told in Sir Chris Bonington’s famous book ‘Everest the Hard Way’, and this was reprinted in a special 50th anniversary edition, with a new foreword by the author. That publication coincided with a month long exhibition at Heaton Cooper Gallery in Grasmere in the Lake District, featuring the celebrated mountain photography of Sir Chris Bonington and Doug Scott, and displays of climbing gear, expedition equipment and personal items from the climb, some on public display for the first time.
The Everest the Hard Way 50th anniversary programme concluded with two events in London. On Wednesday 24 September, 50 years to the day since Doug Scott and Dougal Haston stood on the summit of Everest, the Royal Geographical Society hosted an evening of conversation with expedition members and special guests, that was also attended by Scott’s widow Trish and daughter Rosie. The following evening, Community Action Nepal held a VIP gala dinner in London, hosted by Dame Joanna Lumley, with Sir Chris Bonington once again in attendance, along with other expedition members and leading figures from the world of adventure. During the dinner, Bonhams concluded a special auction of 1975 Everest expedition items and other mountaineering memorabilia, that also ran online. Among around 30 lots in the auction were some unique items, including Doug Scott’s summit suit from 1975.
Sir Chris Bonington and Julie Summers on stage at the RGS
Doug Scott founded CAN to improve the standard of living in remote Himalayan communities and give something back to the mountain people who had helped him to achieve his mountaineering goals. In 2015, the Sherpa Heritage House, which is in the village of Khumjung in the Khumbu region of Nepal, was badly damaged in the devastating earthquake that hit the area. The house is the ancestral home of 1975 expedition member Pertemba Sherpa. Following the disaster, Scott promised Pertemba that CAN would raise funds to rebuild it, and also increase its support of the local people in other ways. Scott was unable to complete that project before he died, but Sir Chris promised to continue the work when he turned 90 last year. Thanks to the fundraising total of over £140,000, the rebuilding of the Sherpa Heritage House can now be completed.
Nicola Terry, operations director at CAN, comments: “This is fantastic news. The anniversary celebrations were very special, and also very emotional at times. The programme of events brought people together in a wonderful way, and we felt that this was also the right time to give some unique pieces of memorabilia new homes in order to support the work of Community Action Nepal. We’re hugely grateful to Berghaus for sponsoring the initiative, and to all of the other corporate and individual supporters who made a big difference.
Rosie Scott Ward talks about her father Doug and Community Action Nepal at the RGS
Trish Scott adds: “I know that Doug would be absolutely delighted with the amount raised, knowing the profound and positive impact that it will have. Of course, he would also already be thinking about the next project, and urging everyone to continue supporting the vital work that the charity does to support the Himalayan communities that contributed so much to his climbing successes.”
Sir Chris Bonington comments: “I am delighted that Doug’s promise to Pertemba can now be fulfilled. This has been a huge collective effort, led brilliantly by the team at Community Action Nepal. From a personal perspective, it was a privilege to be part of that, and I am very grateful to every single person and organisation who contributed. Their support means the world to me, to Doug’s family, and to Pertemba and everyone involved in the Sherpa Heritage House.”
l r Dame Joanna Lumley, Sally Orange, Sir Chris Bonington
Find out more about the work of Community Action Nepal at www.canepal.org.uk. The new edition of Everest the Hard Way is available at www.adventurebooks.com/products/everest-the-hard-way-50th-anniversary-edition.