National Geographic: Adventures in Time Page #6

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have much to tell us.

If only we can take the time to listen.

Long before maps and compasses

those who ventured into unknown places

would leave a sign for those

who followed that said "We were here".

The idea of being first

of leaving one's mark in time and space

inspires modern explorers as well.

They helped to define

and describe our world.

The exploits of 20th century adventurers

continue to fascinate and inspire.

Many indeed have achieved a measure of

immortality.

Among them, Admiral Robert Peary and

pioneering African-American

explorer Matthew Henson -

considered to be the first men

to reach the top of the world.

Admiral Richard Byrd

was credited as being the first

to fly over both poles.

Hiram Bingham discovered

the fabled lost city of Machu Picchu.

While William Beebe and Otis Barton

were the first to probe the deep ocean.

In our own era, Jacques Cousteau

allowed us all to be explorers

of a wonderful new realm

and championed our need to preserve it.

Today,

being first is the passion of many.

But the goal is often not a place

on the map.

For these brave souls

it's not so much where they're going

as how they get there.

Mount Everest, first conquered in 1953

has been climbed by the hundreds.

Still for every seven that reach

the summit one climber will die.

"It's a mountain that you regard with

considerable respect."

"I don't know anybody who has a feeling

of affection uh, for the mountain."

"You could climb it...

three times, five times, a hundred times

you don't conquer it, you survive it."

"If there is a cold day

it's not twenty below, it's forty below.

Forty-five, fifty below say of Celsius...

and this is hard for human beings.

If there is a storm coming

it's much stronger

because you're much higher up."

"Windy... very cold. Strong.

Really cold.

Is difficult."

"It's really very difficult to do anything.

All you wanna do is lie down and even

that's hard work."

"Physically I experienced an awful

lot of problems.

I had a- an ulcerated toe with the bone...

showing, an intestinal parasite

I lost thirty-five pounds in five days

going to the summit."

"I'm nearly at the summit.

Just a few more steps... not far now."

"But this overwhelming feeling...

incredible difficulty, pain, suffering

is suddenly over."

"Well I'm on top! I've made it!"

"It's difficult to really understand

how important it is to be there.

And I know instinctively

I really wanted to stand...

on the highest point of earth

as I think most climbers do."

"I'm on the summit."

"You're both great heroes.

We're absolutely proud to death."

If the roof of the world

is becoming a little crowded

much of the deep ocean remains a mystery

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