Sir Edmund Hillary’s first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 was one of the 20th century’s defining moments. More than 50 years later, dozens of teams still line up each year to take their crack at the world’s highest peak, located on the Nepalese/Tibetan border. Scores of guides jockey to get high-paying clients to the top. Has the sheer number of climbers made the ascent even more dangerous?

Wednesday, 28 June, we’ll get a variety of views from our guests: Dr. Mike Grocott, leader of University College London’s Xtreme Everest expedition; David Breashears, mountaineer, filmmaker, and author of "High Exposure: An Enduring Passion for Everest & Unforgiving Places"; motivational speaker and climber Peter Hillary (son of Sir Edmund Hillary); and Eric Simsonson, guide and co-owner of International Mountain Guides, Inc., based in Washington state.

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