The Mountaineer Legend : Sir Edmund Hillary
Born on July 20, 1919 in Auckland, New Zealand to parents Percival Augustus Hillary and Gerrude Clark, Edmund was set to do big things in the world of mountaineering. Growing up in Tuakau, the shy and introverted Hillary finished primary school at the Tuakau Primary School two years early, and went to Auckland Grammar Scool where he struggled to achieve average marks. Being smaller than the rest of the kids in school, Hillary took solace in his books and his adventurous thoughts.
Hillary got into mountaineering after a school trip to Mount Ruapehu, the largest active volcano in New Zealand, when he was 16. It was in this trip that he realized he was physically strong and had greater endurance compared to his companions. After graduating at the University of Auckland with a degree in Mathematics and Science, he set out for his first mountain climb in 1939 where he reached the summit of Mount Ollivier in the Southern Alps. Working as a beekeeper during the summer, his work allowed him to pursue climbing during the winter season.
After conquering numerous mountains, Hillary was set to become a legend in mountaineering, being the first ever to reach the summit of Mount Everest together with his Sherpa mountaineer, Tenzing Norgay. The successful British attempt came true in 1953, with as much as 400 people, with over 350 porters and 20 sherpa guides. The highest point on earth was reached by Hillary and Tenzing at 11:30 am, on May 29, 1953. Hillary was 33 years old. After summiting Everest and being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, Hillary went on to climb other Himalayan peaks.
Hillary was married to Louise Mary Rose in 1953, and had three children, Peter, Sarah and Belinda. Their marriange was shortlived after Louise together with her daughter Belinda died in a plane crash in 1975 on thier way to join Hillary in Phaphlu. In 1989 Hillary married June Mugrew, the widow of his close friend Peter Mulgrew who had died in 1979 after the Air New Zealand Flight 901 crashed on Mount Erebus.
Aside from mountaineering, Hillary devoted much of his time in helping the Sherpas of Nepal when he founded the Himalayan Trust. He was also appointed as the Honorary President of the American Himalayan Foundation. With his efforts, Hillary has helped built a number of schools and hospitals in the remote regions of Himalayas.
He died on January 11, 2008 at the Auckland City Hospital after suffering from a heart attack. His death at the age of 88 was a sorrowful loss not only to the world of mountaineering but to the world. His bravery and strength to conquer the world became evident in his accomplishments.
abc-of-mountaineering
