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Four Against Everest, an expedition documentary by Woodrow Wilson Sayre

Published in 1964, with 4 reprintings
Woody's book, Four Against Everest, was published in 1964 by Prentice Hall. Approximately 20,000 books were printed and distributed, many by Woody himself. The book has been out of print and unavailable, except in rare book shops, since the middle 1960s. Although considered at the time by mountaineers and book sellers to be one of the top 100 mountaineering stories ever penned, it is unavailable at most public libraries nationwide.

We consider this situation a sad loss for the adventure-reading public, and anyone with an interest in the history of mountaineering and even geopolitics at a time of rapid change in the history of mankind.

Four Against Everest into print again
A key focus of the Revival Team is bringing this book back into print, and securing as broad a distribution of its story as possible. We feel the original story has a potential audience far beyond active and armchair mountaineers; it is an adventure story par excellence, and can be inspirational to all.

A new edition might contain additional reflections from the other three expedition members, added as appendices, and also a new forward to accompany Eric Shipton's letter. A better selection of expedition pictures and more accurate maps would also significantly improve the new edition.

Four Against Everest, a 16mm silent film produced, directed, and shot by Woodrow Wilson Sayre

Woodrow Wilson Sayre was one of the highest ground-based filmmakers in 1962, when he carried his 16mm Bolex camera to 7800 meters, or 25,500 feet, on the North Face of Mount Everest. He shot over 120 feet of 16mm film above 25,000 feet, including pans of Everest and its North Peak. That he carried this camera all the way from Katmandu on foot is also a testament to his fortitude and dedication as a filmmaker. In total he shot 16 reels of film on the eight-week expedition.

After he returned home, Woody assembled a documentary film using the silent, color footage from before and during the expedition. His final cut would be 31 minutes in duration.

Beginning with the planning phase of this expedition, in Woody's 50s style living room, the film includes scenes of the arrival of his equipment by mail and its modeling by his daughter and wife. Woody and Norm's practice sessions with with crampons and new tents are also shown. From the takeoff at JFK airport to the porter-assisted walk from Katmandu to Cho Oyu basecamp, Woody documents the key milestones in the expedition. Finally, Woody includes over 10 minutes of film shot on the climb over Nup La, the hike down the West Rongbuk glacier, and the ascent of Everest itself.

View 4 clips from Sayre's film.

Contacts and Connections
Send e-mail to Rand McNeely or call him in the USA at 617-417-9020 or in Canada at 604-617-8624. You may also contact 1962 expedition team member Hans-Peter Duttle.