Friday, January 11, 2008

Edmund Hillary dies at 88

Everest conqueror Sir Edmund Hillary has died, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today. He died this morning at the age of 88.

Sir Edmund became the first person to stand on Mt Everest, the world's highest peak, May 29, 1953.

His chance to make his mark in history came when selected for the 1953 British expedition to climb Mt Everest, led by former commando Colonel John Hunt, later Lord Hunt.

On the mountain, the first assault team that tried to reach the 8848m summit was driven back by altitude sickness.

Hillary, who was renowned for his fitness and speed, was chosen along with Sherpa Tenzing to try next.

As he and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay descended from the May 29 attempt on the mountain, Hillary told fellow climbers: "We knocked the bastard off.''

Ms Clark said today that the passing of Hillary was a profound loss to New Zealand.

"My thoughts are with Lady Hillary, Sir Edmund's children, wider family, and close friends at this sad time," she said in a statement.

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

"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. He was ours - from his craggy appearance and laconic style to his directness and honesty. All New Zealanders will deeply mourn his passing.

"Sir Ed's 1953 ascent of Mt Everest brought him world-wide fame. Thereafter he set out to support development for the Sherpa people of the Himalayas. His lifetime's humanitarian work there is of huge significance and lasting benefit.

"Sir Ed was not one to bask idly in celebrity. He drew on his international prestige to highlight issues and values which he held dear. His enduring commitment to and respect for the Sherpa people reflects the best of what we as New Zealanders can contribute, from our small developed nation helping another less privileged one.

"Sir Edmund established the Himalayan Trust in the early 1960s and worked tirelessly until his death to raise funds and build schools and hospitals in the mountains.

"The legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary will live on. His exploits continue to inspire new generations of New Zealanders, as they have for more than half a century already," she said.

AAP/stuff.co.nz

Monday, January 7, 2008

Team outlook

Currently seven climbers on our 2008 Project Himalaya NE Ridge Everest Expedition. There are a couple more climbers seriously interested but who have not yet committed. We also have a New Zealand mountain guide and his private client joining us for base camp support. So we are good-sized team and will have plenty of backup.

Who is on the team? There are three climbers who have previously been on expedition with Project Himalaya, and four people who have been 7000m high previously, most of them very recently. So far there is only one woman booked, but there is a reasonable chance one more will book, perhaps as part of a private group.

The crew have already started working on the Everest expedition, we have a new base camp kitchen tent just ordered, some gear and oxygen will be packed in the next few days, then most of the crew are going back to their village (they all come from the same village, or close by, anyway) for a break to see family.

In Kathmandu politically there is increasing pressure on the current government to call elections and get a constitutional assembly elections over with. The problem is most of the parties think they will not do very well, and so say they want elections but really do not want to face the electorate. Currently they are talking about elections in March next year. If this does go ahead, Nepal will very likely be in the news just before the Everest expedition, and not all of it will be very pretty.

However it is very unlikely that personal security is affected at all.

Bye for now. David