Camden’s new immersive experience lets Londoners climb the world’s tallest mountain while learning just how tough a journey to the top can be.
Eclipso launched the virtual reality (VR) experience on 30 September with the support of the British moutaineer, Kenton Cool.
Cool said: “I’ve climbed Everest 20 times, experiencing its immense scale, extreme altitude and, at times, pure fear.
“Eclipso offers a unique opportunity to step into the footsteps of the 1953 expedition and experience the challenge and emotion of conquering the world’s highest mountain.”
During my VR experience, I followed the story of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay as they made the first confirmed ascent of the peak in 1953.
Located in the Himalayas on the border of Nepal and China, Everest stands 8,849 metres (29,032ft) above sea level.
I followed the journey to the base of the mountain and through the different camps during the climb.
I found it fascinating to learn that some people work as camp cooks halfway up the mountain, preparing food for climbers while they spend the night in tents.
The experience was interactive, as you could pick up items on the screen. It was also educational, so I would recommend it for children aged eight to 12.
While I was able to learn about the extreme conditions involved in climbing the mountain, unfortunately the people and scenery looked very artificial.
I also wasn’t a fan of the quick scene changes, as the screen would go dark and then place me halfway up the mountain. This made the experience feel like watching a 4D movie rather than climbing the tallest mountain in the world.
Photo Credit: Macie Lewis
Everest: The First Ascent was created by Jean Dallac and Benjamin Auriche. The 50-minute experience was developed with the support of a scientific advisory board of Himalayan, mountaineering and cultural specialists.
Jean Dallac said: “Our aim was to make audiences feel as though they were part of this extraordinary moment in history, without having to leave London.”
This experience coincides with the cinema release of Tenzing in October, which also tells the story of Tenzing Norgay’s first ascent of the mountain.
The Everest experience previewed at Venice Immersive as part of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival before arriving in London.
Eclipso founder and chief executive Antoine Lieutaud said: “Audiences no longer just have to hear or watch the story of the first ever ascent of Everest. Now they can become part of it.
“With this experience, we want people to feel the humanity behind Hillary and Norgay’s phenomenal achievement, to see the glaciers, feel the scale of the mountain and understand the challenges they faced along the way.”
Tickets start at £20 and the experience is available for anyone aged eight and over.
Feature photo and first photo credit: Eclipso
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