Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay: Bio, Friendship, Success

The first two Mount Everest summiteers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. They met during the British Everest expedition led by Colonel John Hunt. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa pioneered the Everest summit and raised the bar of mountaineering. 

Who is Edmund Hillary? 

Edmund Percival Hillary is a legendary mountaineer, adventurer and philanthropist who began his mountaineering by climbing the 16 highest peaks in New Zealand. Edmund Hillary was born on July 20, 1919 A.D. in Auckland, New Zealand. He attended Auckland Grammar School and graduated from the University of Auckland. His early jobs included beekeeping, and he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1944 A.D.

Edmund Hillary began his mountaineering career by climbing mountains in his own country, then climbing mountains in the Alps, and finally climbing mountains in the Himalayas.

Edmund Hillary achieved the greatest success of Life when he climbed Mount Everest for the first time along with Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. Hillary married Louise Mary Rose on September 3, 1953 A.D., soon after summiting Everest. He was shy and terrified of proposing to her and requested her mother to take the proposal on his behalf. Hillary and Louise had three children: Peter (born 1954 A.D.), Sarah (born 1956 A.D.) and Belinda (1949-1975). Belinda, Hillary’s youngest daughter from her first wife and Louise got killed in a plane crash in Kathmandu on the way to Phaphlu when they were going to join Hillary to build a Hospital.

Hillary then got married for the second time to June Mulgrew, who was a window of his close friend Peter Mulgrew. Sir Edmund Hillary was named one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century by Time Magazine.

Who is Tenzing Norgay? 

Tenzing Norgay, The only mountaineer then who successfully climbed Mount Everest on May 29 1953 A.D., with Edmund Hillary. It was a British expedition led by Colonel John Hunt. He was born in May month of 1914 A.D. in Tse Chu, Tibet. Norgay grew up around the mountain and became a high-altitude porter/guide in 1953 A.D. 

Norgary is acknowledged for the assistance that he provided to the successful Everest expedition. Both Norgay and Hillary got immense recognition after the successful Everest expedition, for which Hillary was knighted, and Norgay pulled worldwide attention towards Sherpas by acknowledging Sherpa’s endurance and strength.

About Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s Friendship 

During their first expedition to Everest in 1953 A.D. Hillary and Tenzing first met in Kathmandu on 5 March 1953 A.D. for the preparation. They trusted each other completely. Hillary was impressed by the reputation of norgay because of his previous assistance in climbing Everest. Throughout their dangerous mountain expedition. Their complete trust in each other became an important factor in being the historic first Everest summiteers. 

Hillary always respected Tenzing’s mountain skills. Tenzing showed admiration for Hillary because he respected his humility and displayed strength as a partner. Through dangerous circumstances and unspoken mutual backing, their bond strengthened more and more. The two climbed as a single united team rather than taking direction from someone guiding the other. Tenzing acknowledged Hillary as brave and trustworthy.

The two maintained their friendship throughout all the time after their expedition. During their friendship, Hillary consistently advocated for the establishment of recognition of Tenzing’s achievements. They remained in contact throughout numerous years. The experiences with Tenzing on the mountain led Hillary to dedicate his time to developing Sherpa communities until his later years. During his media appearances, Tenzing spoke many positive things about Hillary.

Hillary’s bond with Nepal continued after the climb. He built schools, hospitals, and clinics for Sherpas. He also built bridges, airstrips like Tenzing-Hillary Airport, also called Lukla Airport, and water pipelines in remote areas. His Himalayan Trust changed lives in Solukhumbu. These projects honoured Tenzing and showed Hillary’s lasting love for Nepal. 

Their friendship grew into a universal association linking different countries and societies. It went beyond the summit. These two climbers demonstrated that shared trust, along with deep friendship, could rise above the world’s highest summits. Their friendship, formed in ice and danger, became a lasting story of unity and respect.

The Historic Ascent of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Everest 1953 

In 1953 A.D., Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa from Nepal, became the first only two climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain. Their achievement was part of a British expedition led by John Hunt. On May 29, 1953 A.D, at 11:30 a.m., they stood together on the top of the world. 

Their climb was a result of meticulous teamwork, training, and trust. On the final push, they battled extreme cold, exhaustion, and the thin air of the “death zone.” During the initial phase of the ascent, Hillary fell into a hidden crevasse. Tenzing immediately rescued him from this precarious situation. Their lives became connected forever after this crucial rescue action between them. Hillary declared the moment to be crucial for the development of their friendship.

Though the expedition was British, both climbers treated each other as equals. Tenzing later chose Hillary as his summit partner, believing in his honesty and ability. During the final ascent, they climbed a steep, icy rock face, which was later named the Hillary Step. When they reached the top, they spent about 15 minutes taking photos and planting flags from Nepal, Britain, India, and the UN.

Who stepped on the summit first? They always downplayed it. Tenzing wrote that Hillary was first but added that they reached the top together. Hillary emphasized that they were a team and didn’t seek personal glory. Their humility strengthened their friendship, which continued for years. Hillary admired Tenzing’s skills, while Tenzing called Hillary a brave and trusted partner.

Tenzing became a symbol of Sherpa pride and later helped train mountaineers in Darjeeling, India. Together, they are remembered not just for climbing Everest but for their deep friendship, mutual respect, and the remarkable story of courage and unity they shared. 

Some Facts About Hillary and Tenzing

• A challenging rocky slope situated close to the summit became known as the Hillary Step, which was named after Sir Edmund Hillary.
• The Tenzing-Hillary airport, also called Lukla Airport, was built by Sir Edmund Hillary.
• They remained friends for Life. Their relationship survived the hardships of Mount Everest and lasted long for Life. 
• Who stepped first? Tenzing later said Hillary stepped on the summit first, but both agreed it was a team success.
• While ascending the mountain, Hillary accidentally falls into a crevasse, where Tenzing saves him by rescuing him with his rope.