August 24

Albert F. Mummery was born in 1855 and became one of the most influential figures in early mountaineering history. As a founding member of the Alpine Club, he championed lightweight climbing techniques and explored unclimbed peaks in the Alps and the Caucasus. In 1895, Mummery led an expedition to Nanga Parbat in the Himalayas, marking one of the earliest attempts to conquer an eight-thousander. His detailed writings and reflective style brought the challenges of high-altitude climbing to a wide audience. Mummery’s tragic death in an avalanche on Nanga Parbat made him a legendary figure among adventurers. His innovative approaches and adventurous spirit continue to inspire climbers today.

Wilfred Thesiger was born in 1910 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to British parents. He explored remote regions, most notably crossing the Empty Quarter ('Rub' al Khali') dressed in Bedouin attire. Thesiger’s books, including 'Arabian Sands' and 'The Marsh Arabs', offer intimate portraits of vanishing cultures. His fearless expeditions were marked by deep respect for the people and lands he visited. He documented his travels through photography and detailed notebooks, contributing to anthropological knowledge. Thesiger passed away in 2003, remembered as one of the 20th century’s great explorers.