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Archived News
A Reunion to Remember
In September 2001, just five days after the World Trade Center collapsed, a long-planned reunion of the four climbers took place on Martha's Vineyard. They had not seen each other together in over 38 years, and it was a miracle that the events of that week did not stop a single one of the travelers, who came from as far away as Switzerland and Oregon.
September 16, 2001
Keeping a memory alive takes an enormous amount of diligent work. Just contacting people who have not been in touch in over 30 years is no mean task. Jennifer Sayre, the eldest daughter of Woody Sayre, provided the logistical support and tireless effort to round up all four climbers. She invited over a hundred of Woody's close friends on Martha's Vineyard, and family members from as far away as Washington, DC. She would later invite Rand McNeely and Larry Takiff, who were actually the only two mountaineers present at the reunion.
All four climbers had a chance to reflect on the experience, and tell a part of their own story. Norm Hansen provided a slide show of his over 170 slides taken on the expedition. Finally, Woody's 16mm film, transferred to VHS videotape, was screened for the attendees, the first time it had been seen publicly in over 30 years.
Woody's climbing equipment from 1962, his 24 pound 16mm Bolex film camera, and his expedition logs were displayed for all to see. A large sheet cake was decorated in the shape of Mount Everest.
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Our new Everest expedition logo!
Logo
This updated logo will appear on all materials and gear connected to this Everest expedition and its film and book projects.
Vancouver Film Festival 2002.........
.................a rousing success!
Thanks to Roger Hart for his revealing and heartfelt comments accompanying the first screening of Sayre's 1962 16mm film ever to a mountaineering audience, and the first showing in over 35 years. Sayre captured the first American footage on the north side of Everest, and was the first mountaineer ever to carry and film with a 16mm camera over 25,500 feet. His original 16mm film was transferred to archival Beta SP and DV formats in February 2002. We will soon prepare some quicktime clips from this historical film that can be viewed on this site.
The Passing of Woodrow Wilson Sayre
Woody Sayre reached the end of his life last fall, 16 September 2002, exactly a year to the day since the climbers' 2001 reunion (see next column). His brother, family, and friends eulogized a life of honesty and inspiration for all. I wanted to stage this effort while he lived, but for many of us he still does.
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.
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