Sir Edmund Hillary, RIP

[Scott McCrea]

Sir Edmund Hillary has died at age 88. He was the first man to scale Mt Everest in 1953.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/sto ... d=10482156

[Evan G]

I just read it on AP. Great man and always been one of my heros .

[NZcaver]

A sad day. He was a truly amazing and humble man.

I saw this thread, and had to check to see if it was true. I think this short excerpt from one article is worth relaying:

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, has died, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Friday. He was 88.

The gangling New Zealander devoted much of his life to aiding the mountain people of Nepal and took his fame in stride, preferring to be called "Ed" and considering himself just an ordinary beekeeper.

"Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality, he was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only 'knocked off' Everest but lived a life of determination, humility, and generosity," Clark said in a statement.

"The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived," she said.

Hillary's life was marked by grand achievements, high adventure, discovery, excitement — and by his personal humility. Humble to the point that he only admitted being the first man atop Everest long after the death of climbing companion Tenzing Norgay.

He had pride in his feats. Returning to base camp as the man who took the first step onto the top of the world's highest peak, he declared: "We knocked the bastard off."

Full story

[paul]

Counting Sir Ed among their ranks must have made many Kiwis very proud. RIP

[NZcaver]

I always thought it was pretty cool he was the only living New Zealander to be featured on New Zealand currency.

[Jeff Bartlett]

my favorites:

"You don't have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things -- to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals."

and

"I removed my oxygen mask to take some pictures. It wasn't enough just to get to the top. We had to get back with the evidence. Fifteen minutes later, we began the descent."

[NZcaver]

Sir Ed's state funeral was held today in Auckland (Tuesday 22 January, New Zealand time).

News coverage and video links here

Counting Sir Ed among their ranks must have made many Kiwis very proud.

Yes.