Teamwork Makes the dream work Ch: 1

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Questions and Answers

What was Tenzing Norgay's role during his first trip to Mount Everest in 1935?

He was a lead climber.

He was a team organizer.

He worked as a porter. (correct)

He acted as a guide.

What gruesome find did Tenzing Norgay and his climbing party discover at the North Col?

A piece of climbing equipment.

Frozen food supplies.

A abandoned climbing gear.

A wind shredded tent with a skeleton inside. (correct)

What was one of the major challenges faced by climbers on Mount Everest?

Lack of adequate equipment.

Harsh weather and high altitude. (correct)

Inaccessible climbing routes.

The presence of wild animals.

Who was Maurice Wilson and what happened to him?

An Englishman who died attempting to climb without proper support. Signup and view all the answers

During his climbing experiences, what unique ability did Tenzing Norgay possess?

Ability to climb tirelessly while carrying heavy loads. Signup and view all the answers

What role did Tenzing Norgay have during the expedition to Everest?

He was the Sherpa sirdar, organizing and leading the porters. Signup and view all the answers

Why was teamwork considered essential for climbing Mount Everest?

It helped in sharing the load of equipment and ensuring safety. Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial outcome of the first team, Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans?

They attempted the summit but were exhausted and disappointed. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement encapsulates Tenzing's view on climbing the mountain?

Success comes from unselfish teamwork rather than personal ambition. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following 'C's listed contributes to team effectiveness?

Commitment that inspires results. Signup and view all the answers

What was significant about Tenzing Norgay's background in relation to Mount Everest?

He was a Sherpa born in the high altitudes of Nepal. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Maurice Wilson's climbing attempt end in tragedy?

He attempted to climb without permission and support. Signup and view all the answers

What does the presence of about 120 bodies on Mount Everest indicate?

Climbing Mount Everest is extremely dangerous and often fatal. Signup and view all the answers

What notable physical ability was Tenzing Norgay reputed to have during climbs?

He had a remarkable endurance that resembled having a third lung. Signup and view all the answers

What was a recurring outcome of major expeditions to Everest between 1920 and 1952?

No expeditions managed to successfully summit the mountain. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mount Everest: A Legacy of Teamwork

In 1935, Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa, made his first trip to Mt. Everest as a porter for a British mountaineering team.
The team discovered the body of Maurice Wilson, an Englishman who had attempted to climb Everest without permission, and had died during his solo ascent.
Between 1920 and 1952, seven major expeditions attempted to reach Everest's summit, all of which failed.
Tenzing Norgay participated in six of these expeditions and was renowned for his stamina and strength.
In 1953, Tenzing joined his seventh expedition, this time as the sirdar (Sherpa leader) for a British group led by Colonel John Hunt.
The expedition required a massive effort to transport supplies and personnel: over 200 people were hired to carry essential equipment from Kathmandu to the base camp.
The ascent was a collaborative endeavor, with multiple teams working together to advance up the mountain.
The team's success was attributed to their "mountain way" of working together and supporting each other.
On May 29, 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mt. Everest, becoming the first humans to achieve this feat.
Their accomplishment, however, depended heavily on the efforts of the entire team, including porters, climbers, and other support staff.

The Importance of Teamwork: Real-Life Examples

A car dangling from a freeway transition road in East Los Angeles was successfully rescued by a group of twenty-five individuals, including passing motorists, highway patrol officers, tow truck drivers, and firefighters.
Combat pilot Charlie Plumb highlights the indispensable role of teamwork in launching, monitoring, and supporting aircraft.
His experience as a prisoner of war in Vietnam emphasized how unity and support amongst prisoners were crucial for their survival.
Plumb later connected with the man who had packed his parachute before his flight, acknowledging the vital role of teamwork even in seemingly small actions.
Author Alex Haley used a picture of a turtle on a fence post to remind himself that achievements are often a cumulative result of collaboration and support.

Key Principles of Effective Teamwork

Commitment that inspires results
Contributions that make a difference
Competency that raises the standard
Communication that increases effectiveness
Cooperation that creates harmony
Chemistry that enhances personal connection
Creativity that enlarges the team’s potential
Conflict management that reduces tension rapidly
Cohesiveness that allows change to be rapid
Community that makes the journey fun

Tenzing Norgay's Journey to Everest

In 1935, Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa born in Nepal, joined his first British expedition to Mount Everest.
He worked as a porter, carrying heavy loads and navigating treacherous terrain.
The expedition reached the North Col, at 22,000 feet, where they discovered the skeletal remains of Maurice Wilson, an Englishman who attempted to climb Everest without permission.
Wilson had tried to climb alone, but his porters refused to continue at such high altitudes.
Tenzing participated in six expeditions to Everest, earning the respect of his climbers for his strength and endurance. He was nicknamed "the man with three lungs" for his ability to climb tirelessly.

The 1953 Everest Expedition

Tenzing Norgay was engaged as the sirdar (Sherpa leader) for the 1953 British expedition led by Colonel John Hunt.
He was responsible for hiring, organizing, and leading the porters for the journey.
The expedition required a massive amount of equipment and supplies, which had to be transported to base camp over a distance of 180 miles.
Between 200 and 300 people were hired to transport the supplies to the base camp.
The expedition included a team of high-altitude climbers, including Edmund Hillary, who were supported by over 40 porters, with the most experienced members carrying equipment to the higher camps near the summit.

Teamwork and Success on Everest

Tenzing recognized that teamwork was essential to success on Everest, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and mutual support.
The expedition involved multiple teams, each responsible for different stages of the climb, carrying supplies, finding paths, and securing ropes.
On May 29, 1953, Tenzing and Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest, becoming the first humans to achieve this feat.
They acknowledged the invaluable contributions of all members of the expedition, including the porters, who had paved the way for their success.

Teamwork: A Common Thread

The text highlights numerous examples of the importance of teamwork in achieving success, from the rescue of a woman stranded on a freeway to the story of a pilot who survived captivity as a prisoner of war.
Various quotes emphasize the significance of collaboration and mutual support: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" (Helen Keller), “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it" (Halford E. Luccsock), and “It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone" (Andrew Carnegie).
Alex Haley, the author of Roots, keeps a picture of a turtle on a fence post in his office as a reminder that success is almost always a collaborative effort – "Any time I start thinking, ‘Wow, isn’t this marvelous what I’ve done!’ I look up at that picture and remember how this turtle—me—got up on that post."

Key Factors for Effective Teamwork

The text suggests several key factors that contribute to successful teamwork:
- Commitment
- Contributions
- Competency
- Communication
- Cooperation
- Chemistry
- Creativity
- Conflict Management
- Cohesiveness
- Community

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Description

Explore the incredible story of teamwork behind the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953. This quiz highlights the challenges and collaborative efforts of Tenzing Norgay and the British expedition led by Colonel John Hunt. Test your knowledge about the history and key events surrounding one of the greatest achievements in mountaineering.