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
enjoyed life rough truth
The truth is, I'm just a rough old New Zealander who has enjoyed many challenges in his life.
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.
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.
morning may firsts
Ever since the morning of May 29, 1953, when Tenzing Norgay and I became the first climbers to step onto the summit of Mount Everest, I've been called a great adventurer.
honor firsts becoming
Becoming a 'Sir' is slightly uncomfortable at first, although it is a considerable honor. It is amazing how quickly you become accustomed to it.
climbing people disaster
Many people have been getting too casual about climbing Everest. I forecast a disaster many times.
climbing miserable
When you're climbing at high altitudes, life can get pretty miserable.
trying fruition decided
Once I've decided to do something, I do usually try to carry it through to fruition.
blood long feelings
I'm sure the feeling of fear, as long as you can take advantage of it and not be rendered useless by it, can make you extend yourself beyond what you would regard as your capacity. If you're afraid, the blood seems to flow freely through the veins, and you really do feel a sense of stimulation.
attitude lying thinking
I think the whole attitude towards climbing Mount Everest has become rather horrifying. The people just want to get to the top. They don't give a damn for anybody else who may be in distress and it doesn't impress me at all that they leave someone lying under a rock to die.
dream men lucky
I am a lucky man. I have had a dream and it has come true, and that is not a thing that happens often to men.