CONQUEST OF EVEREST STIRS WORLD
Mount Everest as seen from an aircraft on approach to Kathmandu,Nepal.Craig Abraham
“Hillary and Tensing climbed on May 29. All Well” – Radio flash from Colonel John Hunt,leader of the expedition.
The British Embassy in Katmandu learned the news first. It was brought by runner from the expedition’s base camp on Khumbu Glacier to the radio post at Namche Bazar,and from there flashed to the embassy so that it could be urgently transmitted by diplomatic channels to London for the Queen to be informed on the eve of her Coronation.
High Excitement Grips New Zealanders
WELLINGTON,Tuesday. Rarely has New Zealand’s pride flared so high as today with the news of Hillary’s Everest triumph coming atop of the Coronation.
High excitement has the entire nation in its grip.
Mountaineering normally takes minor place in sporting news,and climbers are often popularly dubbed eccentrics.
But tonight New Zealand’s national hero is a young man of the mountains who has been “eccentric” since a passion for high places obsessed him as a schoolboy.
![Edmund Hillary[L] and Tenzing Norgay.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/e986b49ffc6559b452191b637672bc7709d61880)
Edmund Hillary[L] and Tenzing Norgay.AP
Edmund Hillary first laced on climbing boots when as Fourth Former from Auckland Grammar School he visited Mount Ruapehu (9125 feet),the highest peak in the North Island.
All Technique
Hillary was spending two seasons each year in the Southern Alps in the South Island,perfecting his rock-climbing technique.
He conquered all major peaks and blazed new trails to some of them.
Then he became interested in wrestling,believing the balance and judgment that sport could teach him would help him climb.
The war nearly ended his mountaineering career.
While Hillary was serving with the Royal New Zealand Air Force he was badly burned in an accident,and spent many weeks in hospital.
Friends believe his determination to tread high snows aided his recovery.
In February 1948,he spent three bitter nights on the snow-swept slopes of Mount La Perouse (Southern Alps) caring for a badly injured girl from another climbing party while his guide brought help.
Sir Edmund Hillary.Age photographer
Hillary stripped off his own clothes to keep the girl warm,so saving her life.
Third Visit
Hillary has been back to the Himalayas three times. Last year he and his fellow countryman,George Lowe,also prominent in this year’s expedition,were members of Eric Shipton’s Everest party.
Hillary is known as a quiet man,who looks after his bees when not climbing mountains,and goes tor long walks to keep fit.
He has even been known to refuse lifts into town because he was In training to stand on the roof of the world.
His Boyhood’s Ambition
WELLINGTON,Tuesday. The news of her son’s triumph came gently to Hillary’s mother,Mrs. Percy Hillary,of Remuera,Auckland,when a reporter called her. But thereafter the quietness of the suburban home was shattered by knocks and rings.
“Isn’t It wonderful?” she cried in heartfelt relief.
Mrs. Hillary recalled his boyhood love of heights and his quiet remark when 20 years old:“Someday I will climb Everest.”
WELCOME TO THE “TIGER”
KATMANDU,June 2. Indians and Nepalese in Katmandu are planning a triumphant welcome for the Everest climbers,particularly the Himalayan Sherpa porter Tensing,who reached the summit — on his 35th attempt — with Hillary. They are proud the honor of conquering the mountain should be shared by the Sherpa “Tiger Of The Snows,” who now has made his home in India.