Sir Edmund Hillary
Sir Edmund Hillary was a New Zealand mountaneer and explorer. In 1953, he and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the first climbers known to have reached the summit of Mount Everest.
Comments
-
The only smile truly worthy
Two pictures of the same man: a mid-20th century passport photo, young, humble, but ever determined; occupation listed as "beekeeper". Not-yet Sir Ed carries this with him and Sherpa Tensing as they scale the heights and knock the bastard off. The other picture, a New Zealand $5 note; same bold but unassuming grin. Millions of them circulating throughout Aotearoa and the Pacific. We all carry one or two in our pockets, comfort through whatever heights we ourselves have to scale. Until his passing, that face, that man was the only living non-head of state to appear on any nation's currency. And perhaps, in our lifetime, the only smile truly worthy.
Eric, New Zealand - 15 May 2010
-
A great human being
Today (Tuesday 22 January 2008) Sir Ed is layed to rest with a State Funeral in recognistion of our most famous Kiwi. This morning, the son of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay said of Sir Ed, "A simple man who was a great human being".
Chris, New Zealand - 22 January 2008
-
A remarkable man
The death of Sir Ed this past week prompted me to look him up on Lovemarks - what a shock to find he was not there! This mountain of a man who was the first to summit Mt Everest, drive a tractor to the South Pole, jetboat up the Ganges and many other adventures is a huge loss to New Zealand and the world. His true legacy is the charity works he quietly achieved in Nepal - schools, hospitals, roads, airfields all his doing. The only person ever to be granted honorary citizenship of Nepal. A remarkable man - Rest In Peace.
Philip, New Zealand - 14 January 2008