The 1996 South African Everest expedition was a heavily publicised expedition by a South African climbing team to summit Mount Everest.[1][2] The expedition was led by Ian Woodall, and was intended to be a celebration of post-apartheid South Africa.[3] Woodall and Cathy O'Dowd summited together. Bruce Herrod reached the summit afterward but died during his descent. Although the expedition was not caught up in the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, it unfolded while the South African team was on the mountain.[4][5]

Initially sponsored by the Sunday Times, after a falling out with the paper,[6] other outlets covered the expedition including 702 Talk Radio.[1] The expedition was surrounded by controversy[2] around Woodall's leadership style, and a number of senior team members left the expedition[7][8] There were also accusations that Deshun Deysel,[9][10] an inexperienced Coloured[11] woman was included in the expedition because of her race.[1][7]

Team

[12]

  • Ian Woodall (39), expedition leader
  • Cathy O’Dowd (27)
  • Bruce Herrod (37)
  • Deshun Deysel (25)
  • Andy Hackland
  • Andy de Klerk
  • Ed February
  • Charlotte Noble, team doctor
  • Three Sherpa guides

References

  1. 1 2 3 "South Africans' Everest Climb Ends in Death and Mystery". The New York Times. 1996-05-28. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  2. 1 2 "Ian Woodall and Cathy O'Dowd become the first official South African team to conquer the Mount Everest". South African History Online. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  3. "Cathy O'Dowd, the first South African to summit Mt Everest, on her epic journey". Firstpost. 2017-04-16. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  4. "Everest team slammed". The Mail & Guardian. 1996-10-11. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  5. "Everest '96: Ian Woodall under the microscope". eNCA. 2016-05-29. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  6. "South Africans who made history on Everest". TimesLIVE. 2016-05-29. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  7. 1 2 "Death Raises Questions About South African Team". AP NEWS. 1996-05-31. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  8. Patel, Aaisha Dadi (2019-05-31). "Ain't no mountain high enough". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  9. Nazley Omar (13 June 2016). "Deshun Deysel on why it pays to persevere". Ndalo Media. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  10. Claire Keeton and Paul Ash (29 May 2016). "South Africans who made history on Everest". Sunday Times. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  11. "Cathy O'Dowd Shares Her Journey To Summit Everest Via Kilimanjaro". Kandoo Adventures. 2016-10-07. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  12. Vernon, Ken (2015-09-28). "Everest '96 - Climb ZA - Rock Climbing & Bouldering in South Africa". Climb ZA. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
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