National Geographic Magazine Takes Readers On Everest Expedition (PHOTOS)

The legendary mountain climber Conrad Anker is on his way up Everest and, thanks to the May iPad edition of National Geographic Magazine, you can tag along. The “On Everest” section offers real-time updates from the expedition and images from photographer Cory Richards.

The expedition in question replicates the American Mount Everest Expedition of 1963, which marked the first American ascent of the world's highest peak and the first successful attempt to simultaneously summit from two angles. Anker and Richards will summit the West Ridge while another National Geographic team consisting of North Face athletes and a writer climb the Southeast Ridge Route. A team of five Mayo Clinic researchers who study the impacts of high altitude on human physiology will provide support from Base Camp.

The images from the expedition have been memorable so far and the chance to watch a risky expedition unfold in real time is an armchair travelers dream come true. Here are a selection of images that give some sense of what these mountain men are up against.

For a full photo gallery, head over to the National Geographic website.