Like a great many other New Zealand citizens, I am feeling very proud
of one of our national heroes today.
of one of our national heroes today.
It is 60 years since Edmund Hillary and his guide, Sherpa Tenzing,
made the first successful ascent of Mt Everest.
made the first successful ascent of Mt Everest.
"It was from a radio transmitter at Namche that the news of Everest's conquest on 29 May 1953 was sent. It arrived in London in time for the Queen's coronation three days later on 2 June. The British had been trying to climb the mountain since the early 1920s, but competitors were pressing in on what had once been a British-dominated sport. The Swiss had nearly succeeded in 1952. The French looked likely to succeed in 1954. There was much pressure."
Guardian
Hillary took this photo of Tenzing standing on the summit:
"Mountaineering people will gather in London today to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Hillary's standing "on the top of the world". It will not be the first commemoration, but it is the first at which the man they honour will be missing. Hillary died in 2008.
Also missing will be his Sherpa climbing companion, the late Tensing Norgay. The two men's sons will represent them at the Royal Geographical Society function, in the presence of the Queen."
Marlborough Express
Good on you, Sir Ed!
Glory lies in the attempt to reach one's goal and not in reaching it.
~ Mahatma Gandhi