Old black and white photograph of a person taking a picture of Mount Everest.

Mount Everest Foundation

The Mount Everest Foundation (MEF) is jointly administered by the Alpine Club and the Society. It funds exploratory scientific and mountaineering objectives in the world's mountain regions.

In May 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of the highest peak in the world during a British-led expedition.

An increasing interest from the public in the expedition led to the publication of John Hunt’s The ascent of Everest (1953), a national lecture series, and the acclaimed film The conquest of Everest, collectively raising £100,000 in capital.

In February 1955, Sir John Hunt announced the creation of the Mount Everest Foundation (MEF), dedicated to promoting the exploration of the world’s mountain regions.

The MEF has since provided support to mountaineering and scientific expeditions which endeavour to reach previously unclimbed peaks or unexplored regions which gather new geographic or scientific knowledge.

Notable first ascents and climbs

Since it was established, the MEF has provided financial backing for numerous first ascents and new routes on some of the world's highest peaks, including Everest, Kangchenjunga, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Xixabangma, Nanga Parbat, Nuptse, and Kongur.

Additionally, it has supported climbs on lower technical peaks such as Baintha Brakk (the Ogre), Changabang, Spantik, Taweche, Siguniang and Nyanchen Tanglha Southeast.

A sketch map of Mount Everest from surveys of the 1921 and 1924 expeditions, with geology added by N. E. Oddell.

Everest events at the Society

The MEF regularly organises events at the Society which are open to all. Please find more information about their upcoming events and other Everest-related events below.

  • ExhibitionGroup photo in black and white taken at base camp of the Gunung Mulu expedition, 1977 and 1978.

    'Nyapun' by Robin Hanbury-Tenison

    An exhibition of black and white photographs to acknowledge the friendship given and knowledge shared by Nyapun, his family and the Penan community, living in and around the Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak in 1977 and 1978.

  • ConferencePerson presenting to an audience in a casual environment.

    Postgraduate forum mid-term conference 2025

    The Mid-Term Conference will be hosted in-person at the Society in London on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 April 2025.

    £80.00 - £80.00
  • Non-Society eventPerson presenting next to a poster that says 'CityJS confernce' on a stage in a full theatre lecture hall.

    CityJS London 2025: London JavaScript conference

    The JavaScript London event of the year returns for the third year in a row. We’re thrilled to have some incredible speakers confirmed, including Kent C. Dodds, Rich Harris, Jason Lengstorf, and Sara Vieira.

View our Everest exhibitions online

If you'd like to learn more about Everest, our Collections team has prepared some informative, educational, exciting online exhibitions.