Sir Edmund Hillary 1920-2008

Today, the world has lost a great man. One who at an early age, braved tough and difficult conditions to achieve what was thought impossible, to stand on the the roof of the world. Together with his sherpa partner Tenzing Norgay, they stood on the summit of Mount Everest, 8850m on 29 May 1953.

If one thinks that climbing Everest today is a difficult task, think back 50 years when the luxury of modern equipment and technical clothing were absent and their achievement becomes ever more significant and admirable.

What is even more admirable was the friendships he developed during his climbing days in the Himalayas and these became a driving factor in his quest to provide for the needy communities in the country of Nepal and the Himalayan region. It was so fitting that he spent a greater part of his life giving back to a place that made his name one remembered throughout the world to this day.

If you know the story of this man,it is a sad day for the passing of one of the greatest mountaineers in our time. If you do not know the man and his story, maybe take some time to find out a little of what he did and how he went about doing it. A very interesting read will be a memoir entitled, The View from the Summit, which details not only his extraordinary climb but his friendships with the sherpas and ultimately his projects in the himalayas.



God bless his soul.