Newtown, Powys-linked Everest pioneer's mitten to be sold

The single glove belonged to Sir John Hunt who led a team of brave adventurers as they made history to climb the world's highest mountain 70 years ago.

News of its success in May 1953 even reached London in time to be released on the morning of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.

It took a 15-strong team seven weeks to reach the top of the Himalayan mountain, which stands at 29,035 feet (8,849m) above sea level.

The expedition was the ninth attempt to climb Everest and was led by the British Army officer who had previously won bravery awards for his service during WW2.

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Colonel Hunt later donated one of his mitts to a fund-raiser for a new scout hut in
Newtown during the 1970s.

It will go on public sale for the first time and could fetch between £2,000-£3,000 when it goes under the hammer next month.

The mitten was brought in a shoebox by the seller who drove from Wales to have it valued by Hansons Auctioneers at Bishton Hall, Staffs.

Hansons Auctioneers (Image: SWMS)

Valuer Jim Spencer said: "Sometimes a client walks in with an old carrier bag or shoebox and you just sense a surprise coming, something worthy of a gasp.

"This was a case in point. Seeing that humble old mitten was a catch-your-breath moment.

"It was used during the first successful ascent of Mount Everest. Holding it seemed to transport me to a higher altitude.

"It's a real piece of history worthy of being displayed in a museum cabinet, so it would be lovely if an institution or gregarious collector were to win the auction and exhibit the object for all to enjoy.”

The mitt comes with a hand-written and signed note of provenance from Sir John Hunt which states: "Dear Mr Jenkins, Thank you for your letter dated 17th September.

"I hope that the enclosed down mitt, used by me at 27,400 feet on Everest on 26th May 1953, may be helpful to you in your campaign".

Jim added: “The 'campaign' referred to was a 1970s fund-raiser for a new Scout hut for the 1st Newtown Scout Group in Newtown, Powys.

"Sir John kindly donated the mitt and the seller's father bought it. At that time, Sir John had a home nearby in the village of Llanfair Waterdine.

The mitten used by Sir John Hunt in his Everest mission (Image: SWNS)

“It’s timely to offer this historical find now as May marks the 70th anniversary of the Everest Expedition and there’s a royal coronation connection.

“The mitt signifies a pivotal moment in the expedition as 27,400 feet was the highest altitude gained by Hunt.

"At that point he was overcome by fatigue and altitude sickness and his life was at stake.”

Hunt chose two pairs of climbers to make the final push for the summit.

The first pair, Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans, came within 330ft on May 26 but turned back after running into oxygen problems.

The same day, Hunt, ascending with Sherpa, Da Namgyal, intended to reach 27,900 feet to leave equipment for the second summit party of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.

The pair came to Hunt’s rescue when he could not move any more. Hilary fetched his oxygen apparatus and put Hunt on a maximum flow of six litres per minute.

Jim said: “Three days later on May 29, 1953 Norgay and Hillary reached the summit of the world’s highest mountain.

"The news was reported on the morning of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation on June 2 that year.

“Thanks to Sir John Hunt’s generosity the mitt was sold in a small sale decades ago.

"This is its first run in a public, worldwide auction, and it could be very exciting. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The mitt will be offered in Hansons Auctioneers’ Travel and Exploration Auction on May 10.