Community Chat

[Oznell]

That's what Time Magazine has called Edmund Hillary, first to reach the summit of Mount Everest, tallest mountain in the world, along with his Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay.  The year was 1953.

Don't know why I love to read about mountain climber/explorers.  They do exhibit an excess of physical courage, which I admire very much and lack!

Sir Edmund Hillary came from a tiny village in New Zealand, was shy, studious and gangling, at 6'5".  (Sidebar-- I wonder if great height is a handicap in a climber-- seems I read that somewhere, but not sure).  Fell in love with snow and skiing during trips to the Southern Alps in New Zealand.

Continuing the mild-mannered theme, he became a bee-keeper (like his father) after World War II.  It was the kind of career that allowed him to climb a lot.  Flash forward--- after much effort and adventure, he and Norgay reach the summit.  The world reels and cheers!  They spent only 15 minutes there.  Hillary took the famous photo of Norgay holding a flag-bedecked ice pick.  Norgay offered to take his picture, but he declined.  Norgay buried some candies there, Hillary chose to bury a crucifix on the spot.

Hillary led a long, honorable life, dying in 2008. He was knighted and of course entered all the history books.  He was always concerned with helping the Nepalese people, and founded the Himalayan Trust, to that end.