Many of you might know that I am eternally fascinated by Mount Everest. I read everything I can about climbing it. I watch and re-watch the Everest series on Discovery Channel. I’ve read The Ascent of Everest, Edmund Hillary’s account of being the first man to the top of the world’s tallest mountain. And so I was sad when I read that Sir Edmund Hillary passed away at the age of 88. The CNN obituary contains powerful information about the humble man:
He wrote of the pair’s final steps to the top of the world: “Another few weary steps and there was nothing above us but the sky. There was no false cornice, no final pinnacle. We were standing together on the summit. There was enough space for about six people. We had conquered Everest.
“Awe, wonder, humility, pride, exaltation — these surely ought to be the confused emotions of the first men to stand on the highest peak on Earth, after so many others had failed,” Hillary noted.
“But my dominant reactions were relief and surprise. Relief because the long grind was over and the unattainable had been attained. And surprise, because it had happened to me, old Ed Hillary, the beekeeper, once the star pupil of the Tuakau District School, but no great shakes at Auckland Grammar [high school] and a no-hoper at university, first to the top of Everest. I just didn’t believe it.
Contrast what Sir Edmund said about his triumph versus football players who act like they just scaled Everest when they catch a single touchdown pass in a losing effort.
Some day when I’m standing at Everest Base Camp (as high up as I’ll go), I’ll think about Sir Edmund Hillary, beekeeper.
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I read about this on the front page of the Chicago Tribune this morning and thought about you and your quest for Everest (at least the base camp). I always found it inspiring that an acrophobic had such “high” aspirations. On a sad note, I said to my kids, “Sir Edmund Hillary died”, they all stared at me blankly..atleast I got a teaching moment in first thing today!
I read about this on the front page of the Chicago Tribune this morning and thought about you and your quest for Everest (at least the base camp). I always found it inspiring that an acrophobic had such “high” aspirations. On a sad note, I said to my kids, “Sir Edmund Hillary died”, they all stared at me blankly..atleast I got a teaching moment in first thing today!
What a shame that so many people don’t know who people like Edmund Hillary were/are. Sadly, as I found today, it’s not just the kids.
But on another note, I like the point about over-celebrating the insignificant. I’d much rather be seen as someone who undercelebrates greatness – though that assumes I aspire to such things. So maybe I’ll rethink that.
What a shame that so many people don’t know who people like Edmund Hillary were/are. Sadly, as I found today, it’s not just the kids.
But on another note, I like the point about over-celebrating the insignificant. I’d much rather be seen as someone who undercelebrates greatness – though that assumes I aspire to such things. So maybe I’ll rethink that.
I also thought of you when I read about Sir Edmund passing. I like how he described himself as an average person with modest abilities. I have alsways admired those who have achieved great things but remain humble.
Being at the base camp where these legends stayed would be such a great experience to take in.
The Tuna
I also thought of you when I read about Sir Edmund passing. I like how he described himself as an average person with modest abilities. I have alsways admired those who have achieved great things but remain humble.
Being at the base camp where these legends stayed would be such a great experience to take in.
The Tuna
Hi Frank,
We have created a memorial page to pay tribute to those loved ones who have passed away and to pay tribute and remembrance to those who have touched our lives. A special page has been created for Sir Edmund Hillary at http://www.people-to-remember.com/wiki/index.php/Sir_Edmund_Hillary
The site is completely free and open. Please feel free to add comments and share your thoughts.
Thanks,
Josh
Hi Frank,
We have created a memorial page to pay tribute to those loved ones who have passed away and to pay tribute and remembrance to those who have touched our lives. A special page has been created for Sir Edmund Hillary at http://www.people-to-remember.com/wiki/index.php/Sir_Edmund_Hillary
The site is completely free and open. Please feel free to add comments and share your thoughts.
Thanks,
Josh
Tami, that’s so funny. I guess there’s just so much more for kids to know these days. And a lot’s been done. There seems to be fewer and fewer feats of real astonishment and wonder anymore. Yep, I still want to make it to Everest Base Camp. And as you know, I’ afraid of heights….but it’s just fascinating to me.
Howard, great turn of a phrase: “Undercelebrating greatness.” I love that. I’d like to be in that camp, too.
Rich, that would be great to be there at BC. I had this feeling one time at the Capitol Building when I stood on the exact spot of Lincoln’s desk. I think there would be something about being where Hillary and Tenzing Norgay stood. Plus the hike in takes 2 weeks. Lots of time to think…and grind.
Tami, that’s so funny. I guess there’s just so much more for kids to know these days. And a lot’s been done. There seems to be fewer and fewer feats of real astonishment and wonder anymore. Yep, I still want to make it to Everest Base Camp. And as you know, I’ afraid of heights….but it’s just fascinating to me.
Howard, great turn of a phrase: “Undercelebrating greatness.” I love that. I’d like to be in that camp, too.
Rich, that would be great to be there at BC. I had this feeling one time at the Capitol Building when I stood on the exact spot of Lincoln’s desk. I think there would be something about being where Hillary and Tenzing Norgay stood. Plus the hike in takes 2 weeks. Lots of time to think…and grind.
The song Climb Every Mountain comes to mind.
The song Climb Every Mountain comes to mind.
Pinky Bear, that’s one of my faves from The Sound of Music. In fact, I want to go to one of those Sound of Music sing-alongs. It’s Sheryl’s fave movie. Perhaps next time it comes to Philly we shoudl all go. It would be fun.
Pinky Bear, that’s one of my faves from The Sound of Music. In fact, I want to go to one of those Sound of Music sing-alongs. It’s Sheryl’s fave movie. Perhaps next time it comes to Philly we shoudl all go. It would be fun.
Frank, it is obviously big news here. A truly wonderful human being. I love the fact that he never took credit for being the first man to scale Everest….it was always he and Tenzing Norgay. Nepal is in mourning for a great man who saved many lives through the establishment of schools, clinics, bridges…even an airfield. Not many people know that the news of Hillary and Norgay’s conquest of Everest actualli threatened to overshadow the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953. I love the quote from his father, Percy, when informed of his son’s achievement “Edmund is a good man under pressure”
Frank, it is obviously big news here. A truly wonderful human being. I love the fact that he never took credit for being the first man to scale Everest….it was always he and Tenzing Norgay. Nepal is in mourning for a great man who saved many lives through the establishment of schools, clinics, bridges…even an airfield. Not many people know that the news of Hillary and Norgay’s conquest of Everest actualli threatened to overshadow the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953. I love the quote from his father, Percy, when informed of his son’s achievement “Edmund is a good man under pressure”
Hey, my Aussie Mate! Hillary was such an impressive man and he did so much for so many. What a stunning pronouncement by his father…that kind of elegance gives me the good kind of chills. I hadn’t heard that one…thanks for telling me about that.
Hey, my Aussie Mate! Hillary was such an impressive man and he did so much for so many. What a stunning pronouncement by his father…that kind of elegance gives me the good kind of chills. I hadn’t heard that one…thanks for telling me about that.
The memorial service/state funeral will be held today in Auckland. Sir Ed is lying in state…normally only reserved for royalty or the Prime Minister. His ashes will be scattered in the bay off Auckland
A great life to be celebrated, a great man to be honoured, a great nation to console.
The memorial service/state funeral will be held today in Auckland. Sir Ed is lying in state…normally only reserved for royalty or the Prime Minister. His ashes will be scattered in the bay off Auckland
A great life to be celebrated, a great man to be honoured, a great nation to console.
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