The Nation - News from July 21, 1987

Fourteen experienced mountain climbers set out for the top of the world, hoping to become the first American expedition to successfully scale the north face of Mt. Everest. Led by Scott Fischer of Seattle, the director and founder of a travel adventure company called Mountain Madness, the group includes five women--one of whom could become the first American woman to reach the summit of Everest. The group, which departed from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, plans to take about eight weeks for the climb, with a visit to the summit on or about Oct. 15, organizers said.