frank smythe (everest 1933) was "de facto" climbing leader and shipton (1933, 1935), percy wyn harris (1933), edwin kempston (1935), charles warren (1935), bill wager (1933) and edmund wigram (1935) all had previous everest experience. peter r. oliver and james m.l. gavin were brought in as "new blood" having impressed smythe in the alps. john hunt was rejected after a medical examination detected a heart murmur and he was warned to be careful climbing stairs. non-climbing members were john morris (transport, 1922), gordon noel humphreys (doctor) and william r. smijth-windham (communications, 1933). oxygen equipment was to be taken and they had radio equipment allowing contact between base and darjeeling. the total cost was to be about £10,000.