|

|

|
|
Tap Richards
|
Meet the Team 1999
Tap Richards
Tap Richards is 25 years old and lives in Ashford,
Washington. This is Richards' first Everest expedition,
though he climbed the 26,900-foot
Cho Oyu in 1996. Richards started rock climbing when he was
15 and became a mountain guide seven years ago. His guiding
has taken him to Mt Rainier, Mt McKinley, South America,
Mexico, and the Himalayas.
NOVA: Do you think Mallory and Irvine could have made
it to the summit?
RICHARDS: I believe they perished before they reached
the summit. I believe Irvine turned around, with Mallory
making a gallant solo effort near the summit, and perhaps
falling while climbing the Second Step or while trying to
skirt around it. From what I know of the Second Step, I don't
think they could have climbed it, due to their limited oxygen
supply. Also, attempting it as a soloist—it would've
been more difficult without having someone there to belay.
On this trip I'm hoping to get up to the Second Step. I'm
looking forward to watching
Conrad
attempt to free climb it, and if it's a good day I'll try to
follow. But if not, I'll hop on that ladder in a second.
Back to The Search
Lost on Everest
|
High Exposure
|
Climb |
History & Culture
|
Earth, Wind, & Ice
E-mail |
Previous Expeditions
|
Resources
|
Site Map
|
Everest Home
Editor's Picks
|
Previous Sites
|
Join Us/E-mail
|
TV/Web Schedule
About NOVA |
Teachers |
Site Map |
Shop
| Jobs |
Search |
To print
PBS Online |
NOVA Online |
WGBH
©
| Updated November 2000
|
|
|