All this and Everest too

In 1953 I was on military duty at the Queen's Coronation in London when news of the conquest of Everest came through. A distinctive mood of celebration was very much increased by the mood of optimism about the future generated at the news. It was a memorable moment which has left its mark on my sense of pride in our nation and sense of faith in human nature.


Sir Edmund Hillary, Everest conqueror, dies
By Sophie Borland and Laura Clout (Telegraph)

Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb Mt Everest, has died at the age of 88.

The New Zealand-born mountaineer had become increasingly frail over the last few years and he was thought to have recently suffered from pneumonia.

Helen Clark, the prime minister of New Zealand paid tribute, saying: "The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived. But most of all he was a quintessential Kiwi.""My thoughts are with Lady Hillary and his extended family."

On the 29 May, 1953, Hillary made history by becoming the first person to reach the peak of Everest alongside Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.

The victory, which was achieved on the eve of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, was seen as a huge accomplishment against nature as many attempts had previously failed.

Shortly after the climb a heated debate broke out amongst the public over who had actually reached the peak first - Sir Edmund or Tenzing.

Both insisted that they had got there at exactly the same time but Tenzing revealed years later in his book that Sir Edmund had been a few steps ahead.

The New Zealander went on to devote much of his life to aiding the mountain people of Nepal and set up the Himalayan Trust through which he built schools, hospitals and bridges in the region.

He never liked to be known as a hero, preferring to be called "Ed" and considering himself just an ordinary beekeeper.