George Band facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Band
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Band in 1990
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| Born | 2 February 1929 |
| Died | 26 August 2011 (aged 82) Hampshire, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Education | Eltham College |
| Alma mater | Queens' College, Cambridge Imperial College, London |
| Known for | Mountaineer |
| Spouse(s) | Susan Goodenough (m.1959) |
| Children | 3 |
George Christopher Band (born February 2, 1929 – died August 26, 2011) was a famous English mountaineer. He was part of the 1953 British expedition to Mount Everest. On this trip, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made history. They were the first people to reach the top of Everest. George Band was the youngest climber on that team!
Just two years later, in 1955, George and another climber named Joe Brown achieved another amazing feat. They were the first people to climb Kangchenjunga. This is the third highest mountain in the world.
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Early Life and Education
George Band was born in Taiwan. He went to school at Eltham College in England. After school, he served in the Royal Corps of Signals. This was part of his National Service.
He then studied Geology at Queens' College, Cambridge. Later, he studied Petroleum Engineering at Imperial College, London.
Climbing Adventures
George started climbing in the Alps while he was a student. This experience prepared him for bigger challenges.
The Everest Expedition
In 1953, George Band joined the British expedition to Mount Everest. He was the youngest climber on this important team. The goal was to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain.
While George was part of the team, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made history. They became the first people to successfully climb to the very top of Mount Everest.
First Ascent of Kangchenjunga
Two years after Everest, George Band went on another major expedition. In 1955, he and Joe Brown aimed to climb Kangchenjunga. This mountain is the third highest in the world.
They successfully reached the summit. However, they showed great respect for local beliefs. The people of Nepal and Sikkim consider Kangchenjunga a sacred mountain. So, George and Joe stopped about ten feet below the actual peak. They did this to honor the religious feelings of the local people.
Life After Climbing
After his early climbing successes, George Band worked in the oil and gas industry. He explored for oil and gas for most of his career.
Even at 76 years old, George Band still loved mountains. In 2005, he trekked to the Base Camp of Kangchenjunga in Nepal.
He also held important positions in the climbing world. He was the president of the Alpine Club. He also led the British Mountaineering Council. He traveled all over the world sharing his experiences.
George Band wrote several books about his adventures. These include Road to Rakaposhi and Everest 50 Years on Top of the World. The latter was the official history of the Everest expedition. He also wrote "Summit" in 2007. This book celebrated 150 years of the Alpine Club.
He was also the Chairman of the Himalayan Trust (UK). George Band was a supporter of BSES Expeditions. This charity helps young people. It organizes challenging science trips to wild places.
In 2009, George Band received a special honor. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This award recognized his contributions.
George Band passed away on August 26, 2011, in Hampshire, England. He was 82 years old.
Books by George Band
- Road to Rakaposhi (1955)
- Everest: 50 Years on Top of the World (2003)
- Summit (2006)
