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Everest Conqueror Sir Edmund Hillary Dies
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by Kaitlin | January 10, 2008 at 02:59 pm
2763 views | 17 Recommendations | 22 comments
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The first man to climb Mount Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary, has died at his home in New Zealand. He was 88.
On the mountain, the first assault team that tried to reach the 8848m summit was driven back by altitude sickness.Hillary, who was renowned for his fitness and speed, was chosen along with Sherpa Tenzing to try next.
As he and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay descended from the May 29 attempt on the mountain, Hillary told fellow climbers: "We knocked the bastard off."
Clark said that the passing of Hillary was a profound loss to New Zealand.
"My thoughts are with Lady Hillary, Sir Edmund's children, wider family, and close friends at this sad time," Clark said in a statement.
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at 15:04 on January 10th, 2008
Kaitlin, thanks for getting this story out so quickly. It will now show up on the home page for four hours. If new developments justify it, I'll renew this flag for another cycle.
at 15:05 on January 10th, 2008
Kaitlin, thanks for getting this story out so quickly. It will now show up on the home page for four hours.
at 15:26 on January 10th, 2008
Hillary's accomplishment though great was not done alone of course. You mentioned Tenzig Norgay, Hillary's friend and Sherpa. The attached video provides more information or Norgay.
at 15:30 on January 10th, 2008
Yeah, it's too bad Sherpas aren't given more credit.
at 17:33 on January 10th, 2008
Indeed, he wasn't the first man--he was the first European, part of a two-man team that included him and a Sherpa.
If we want to give Sherpas more credit, how about not writing information that states the Hilary was "the first man" to win Everest?
That only passes the ignoring of the Sherpas along and marks it as "still acceptable" to name the first white guy as the first, period, when he wasn't alone and didn't do it by himself.
at 16:08 on January 10th, 2008
Kaitlin, I like this story. It's good stuff. Thanks for highlighting - where i come from there is a small mountain in the peak district of derbyshie called Mam Tor - a woman lived in a tent on top and used to knit hats and scarves to send to sherpa tenzing - tenzing became a hero to me - more than hillary somehow - and that woman knitting woolly hats - her too - hillary - an old time explorer - ain't no mountain high enough...
thanks again
LF
at 16:41 on January 10th, 2008
The group I visited Mt Everest base camp with read about Sir Edmund Hillary while standing at the base of the mountain, thinking what it would have been like to be the first man to reach the top of the world. Truly inspiring.
CuriousGeoff has contributed a photo to this story.
at 16:42 on January 10th, 2008
Kaitlin, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 16:59 on January 10th, 2008
Hillary was a great man not only as an adventurer, but as a human being. He will be dearly missed.
Ten Fingers 6 Strings has contributed a photo to this story.
at 17:00 on January 10th, 2008
Kaitlin, a good story. Whatever the debate between, the 'first' to step on the summit, or whether due regard was given to Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, what is absolutely clear is that both Tenzing and Edmund were heroes, "real heroes", as were the rest of their '53 expedition.
It is a sad day indeed.
at 17:20 on January 10th, 2008
Kaitlind, a noteworthy story about a real giant of our times. Thanks for bringing it to us.
at 17:21 on January 10th, 2008
Standing at the foot of Everest two months ago was one of the most awe inspiring moments I've experienced. I can't imagine what it must have been like to be the first person to reach the top and look down on the world as nobody ever had.
- Brian - http://roam.autarken.net -
autarken has contributed a photo to this story.
at 17:57 on January 10th, 2008
This statue of Sir Edmund Hillary overlooks the very mountains that Hillary used to hone his skills before his historic climb in Mt Cook National Park. Seeing the mountains for myself and the statue of the man, gave me a new sense of his achievement. Sir Edmund Hillary will live on in the history books, and the pride of New Zealand.
vanessagx has contributed a photo to this story.
at 19:12 on January 10th, 2008
Kaitlin, thanks for the news and commentary, The man lived a full life and was immortalized in history when alive and like most great men will be in our History books. Who among us can claim that right to fame? Do I feel sorry for him, Nope, he put more into his life, than we could collectively imagine in three lifetimes.
at 19:57 on January 10th, 2008
Himalayan Mountain range
spo0nman has contributed a photo to this story.
at 21:18 on January 10th, 2008
The NZ flags were at half mast on the Harbour Bridge as I drove through Auckland today. A Kiwi Legend.
Hillary was a legandary person. The way he and Norgay managed to climb Everest with very primitave equipment is outstanding. Hillary also conqured many other dangerous mountains and explored many unchartered places such as Antarctica. His work with poor Nepalese communities and other humanitarian work really shows what an amazing person he was.
RobAucklandNZ has contributed a photo to this story.
at 21:39 on January 10th, 2008
Everest seen from the Tibetan side, about 6 miles from Base Camp.
Lasseskovgaard has contributed a photo to this story.
at 01:26 on January 11th, 2008
Everest viewed from Gokyo Ri at 5,500m above sea level. Her summit was more than 3 vertical km from where I was standing and I was breathless at 5,500m........
chiliheadcreations has contributed a photo to this story.
at 02:28 on January 11th, 2008
Sir Edmund Hillary memorial statue in the grounds of Khumjung School in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Sir Edmund Hillary delivered many schools and hospitals for Nepal.
ptrmcclur1 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 08:18 on January 11th, 2008
Everest viewed from Rongpuk monastery (5300 m), Tibetan side.
It still is amazing how both Edmund Hillery and Tenzing Norgay climbed the highest peak without all the hightech stuff.
Kaitlin, Thanks for the story.
Pieter J. Molenaar has contributed a photo to this story.
at 12:26 on January 11th, 2008
This statue was built as a tribute to sir Edmund Hillary for his efforts to build a school and support the poor Nepalese people in one of the village en route to Mt. Everest.
Bartmani has contributed a photo to this story.
at 11:59 on January 23rd, 2008
The representation of the smallest and the biggest religious icon of Tibetan buddism in the "Camp Base 1".
Big Valeski has contributed a photo to this story.