Edmund Hillary
Edmund Hillary
Sir Edmund Percival Hillary KG, ONZ, KBEwas a New Zealand mountaineer, explorer and philanthropist. On 29 May 1953, Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. They were part of the ninth British expedition to Everest, led by John Hunt. Hillary was named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century...
NationalityNew Zealander
ProfessionExplorer
Date of Birth20 July 1919
absolutely bit extremely funny great lucky sounds
I was extremely lucky that I had two great wives. It sounds a bit funny to say that, but it's absolutely true.
enjoyed life rough truth
The truth is, I'm just a rough old New Zealander who has enjoyed many challenges in his life.
fell scared
I was scared many times on Everest, but this is all part of the challenge. When I fell down a crevasse, it was pretty scary.
I have never regarded myself as a hero, but Tenzing undoubtedly was.
Even when you're 50, you can make the effort to improve your standards.
country
I was definitely very much a country boy.
anyone climbing knew possible solo wished
If I wished to do something, even if I couldn't find anyone who wanted to make the effort with me, I would go out solo climbing. I did find solo climbing very challenging and a little frightening. You knew that you were completely on your own, and you had to overcome all the problems and possible dangers.
naturally pleased reaching surprised
I think my first thought on reaching the summit- of course, I was very, very pleased to be there, naturally - but my first thought was one of a little bit of surprise. I was a little bit surprised that here I was, Ed Hillary, on top of Mt. Everest. After all, this is the ambition of most mountaineers.
bit lecture realised tumultuous
I realised a little bit to my astonishment that I can give a lecture for a thousand people, and there will be this tumultuous applause, so, you know, I have the feeling well, it can't be all that bad.
relationship
When I was climbing, I built up a close relationship with the Sherpa people.
might pioneering rush
Take advantage of the years of pioneering efforts. You might find this boring, as the young want to rush head on, as it were.
realm rightly
I am inclined to think that the realm of mythology is where the Yeti rightly belongs.
area change finance local maybe money remember
I can remember when I first went into the Himalayan area way back in 1951. Money, for instance, was not important at all to the local people. But now, finance has become just as important to them as it is to us, and this is a change maybe not for the better.
cracking good regard
I don't regard myself as a cracking good climber. I'm just strong in the back. I have a lot of enthusiasm, and I'm good on ice.