Identical Twins Test 1920s vs. Modern Gear on Himalayan Mountaineering Expedition

Himalayan Mountaineering Experiment

• 🏔️ Identical twins Hugo and Ross Turner are undertaking an expedition to Nepal's Mera Peak, over 21,000 feet high.
• 🧪 The climb is part of a scientific study by the University of Portsmouth to test clothing performance in extreme cold and low oxygen environments.

Historical vs. Modern Gear Comparison

• 🕰️ Hugo Turner will wear a replica of George Mallory's 1924 Everest expedition gear, made from materials like wool, silk, and gabardine.
• 👕 His twin, Ross, will use modern high-altitude gear supplied by Montaigne.
• 📊 The twins will collect data on body temperature, dexterity, cognition, and stress hormones to compare the effectiveness of the two types of gear.

Scientific Insights and Historical Questions

• 🧬 Being genetically identical allows for a more plausible comparison of the gear's performance, as they train and acclimatize similarly.
• 💡 The study aims to generate data for product development and safety guidance in cold weather operations.
• ❓ It also seeks to shed light on the equipment factors surrounding the 1924 British Everest expedition, during which Mallory and Andrew Irvine disappeared, with the possibility that Mallory may have reached the summit before Hillary and Tenzing.