It's an important day in the history, and perhaps the future, of climbing and mountaineering. Sixty years ago today, the first successful ascent of the world's highest mountain was achieved by a British expedition team. And this evening, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to announce whether climbing is on the final shortlist of sports vying for a place at the 2020 Olympic Games.

On 29 May 1953, Hillary and Tenzing made the first successful ascent of Everest. The 60th anniversary has once again captured the nation's interest, with media reports including how climbing Everest has changed over the years and questioning whether there are now too many people on the mountain.

Nick Colton, BMC deputy chief executive said: “In 1953 Everest was at the forefront of challenges because no one had reached the summit. Today in pure mountaineering terms the challenges have moved elsewhere. However it’s the highest mountain in the world so it will always have a unique attraction. Although the main routes up Everest are not technically demanding climbs, the fitness levels required are still very high.”

The altercations between Sherpas and three western climbers which grabbed the media's attention a few weeks ago was not a good start to the season, however Kenton Cool and Dorje's Gylgen’s recent Everest-Lhotse-Nuptse trilogy highlighted the positive friendships between western climbers and Sherpas.

The Times newspaper played an important role in the Everest story 60 years ago, with its reporter relaying the news of the successful ascent back to Britain in time for the Queen's coronation. This year, the Times has its own man on the mountain reporting this season's Everest news. In an article yesterday, Tom Whipple talked to the only surviving Sherpa from the 1953 Everest expedition.

George Lowe, who died in March, was the last surviving western member of the 1953 Everest expedition. His book - The Conquest of Everest - has just been published and is available from the BMC online shop.

A commemorative event celebrating the 60th anniversary is taking place at the Royal Geographical Society tonight, hosted by Stephen Venables and including presentations from Sir Chris Bonington, Doug Scott and the sons of Hillary and Tenzing, Peter Hillary and Jamling Tenzing Norgay.

Will we be marking this historic day in mountaineering's history with another landmark for climbing? Today, the IFSC presents its bid for sport climbing's inclusion in the 2020 Olympics. This evening, the IOC will announce which sports will go through to the final vote in September. Good luck to the IFSC team behind the bid. The anticipation is reaching Everest proportions!

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