The World Around Us #27

In 1953, a team of British mountain climbers, led by John Hunt, joined forces with Sherpas in a historic attempt to reach the summit of Everest—the world’s highest mountain. Amid the harsh conditions and treacherous terrain, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norkey made history with their successful ascent, marking a defining moment in mountaineering.

Ancient warriors, Alexander the Great, and Genghis Khan all pushed through mountain barriers not just to conquer, but to connect civilizations. The Vandals, Visigoths, and American pioneers followed their own paths through the peaks, driven by necessity, ambition, or survival. This story explores how mountains—once seen as insurmountable—became routes, resources, and even symbols of human determination.

In the Swiss Alps, Bernie guides Al and Bill through the essentials of mountain safety, demonstrating how Alpine residents, pilots, and officials work together to navigate the ever-present danger of avalanches. With the help of Swiss soldiers and local knowledge, they learn how to respect the mountains’ power while still enjoying the thrill of the terrain.

Colonel W. A. Waddell stumbles upon strange footprints in the Himalayan snow, sparking a mystery that draws in explorers, prospectors, and a local monk. Though no definitive proof emerges, the accounts of Tenzing Norkey and others keep the legend of the Yeti alive in the shadow of the mountains.

From the shadows of prehistoric skies to the meticulous charts of ancient Greece, humanity’s fascination with Mars unfolds across centuries. Through the evolving ideas of Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Kepler, the red planet’s true orbit is slowly revealed—each step a leap in understanding the cosmos.