NOVA Online | Alive on Everest | Spin: A Passenger to the Summit (May 6, 1997)

Spin: A Passenger to the Summit
May 6, 1997
By Liesl Clark

Spin, a crash test dummy that has traveled the globe, will be accompanying Pete Athans on his journey to the summit of Everest. Pictured here, Spin has traveled with many expeditions, but this will be his first try for the highest point on the Earth. If successful, Spin will be the first crash test dummy ever to reach the summit of Everest.

Edgar filming Spin on top of Pete's backpack

Edgar filming Spin on top of Pete's backpack

Like astronauts who take small mementos from the Earth with them to the moon, climbers often take light-weight talismans to accompany them on their high-altitude journeys. Spin, who is attached to the top of Pete Athans' backpack will have a rare view of the Everest climb from his unique vantage point behind Pete's head. Explains Athans, "Spin and I have quite a bit in common. Aside from our wardrobe, we're both kind of crash test dummies. And I have to admit, Spin's O₂ sat is probably better than mine."

Today, David Breashears, Ed Viesturs, Jangbu Sherpa, David Carter, and Pete Athans are all resting at Camp II awaiting better weather conditions up high. Other teams are now also moving into position at Camp II. The Canadian expedition has two climbers at Camp II, Sherpas for the Malaysian team have been moving loads from Camp II to Camp III, and the Italian team has reached Camp II's 21,300-foot mark.

June 10, 1997: Back Home (27)
May 25, 1997: Climbers Return to Base Camp (26)
May 24, 1997: Descending Toward Base Camp (25)
May 23 PM, 1997: NOVA Climbers Safely Off the Summit (24)
May 23 AM, 1997: NOVA Climbers Reach the Summit! (23)
    Hear the archived live audio broadcast from the summit
    Read the transcript of the broadcast from the summit
May 22, 1997: Bid for the Summit (22)
May 21, 1997: Helicopter Crashes at Everest Base Camp (21)
May 20, 1997: Moving On Up (20)
May 19, 1997: Poised at Camp II (19)
May 18, 1997: Departing for Camp II (18)
May 17, 1997: Dead Sherpa Found on Khumbu Glacier (17)
May 16, 1997: Jet Stream Winds Blast Camp II (16)
May 13, 1997: Receiving News from the North Side (15)
    May 13, 1997: RealAudio Interview with David Breashears
May 11, 1997: Five Climbers Presumed Dead on the North Side (14)
May 10, 1997: The Waiting Game (13)
May 9, 1997: Pulmonary Edema Evacuation from Base Camp (12)
May 8, 1997: A Hasty Retreat to Base Camp (11)
May 7, 1997: Sherpa Falls To His Death On The Lhotse Face (10)
May 6, 1997: Spin: A Passenger to the Summit (9)
May 5, 1997: Delayed at Advance Base Camp (8)
May 4, 1997: NOVA Climbers Leave Base Camp for Their Summit Attempt (7)
May 1, 1997: NOVA Team Prepares for Summit Attempt (6)
April 26, 1997: Indonesian Expedition First to Summit in 1997 (5)
April 23, 1997: Expedition Leader Dies at Everest Base Camp (4)
April 22, 1997: Japanese Expedition Pulls Out (3)
April 16, 1997: Traffic Reports on Everest (2)
April 14, 1997: Rescue Season Begins (1)

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