New Zealander Edmund Hillary is considered one of the most famous climbers in the world. He went down in history as the first conqueror of Everest. After climbing the "roof of the world" Edmund reached ten more peaks of the Himalayas, visited the South and North Poles.
Biography: early years
Edmund Percival Hillary was born on July 20, 1919 in the New Zealand city of Auckland. His grandparents are from Yorkshire, England. During the gold rush, they were among the first to settle on the banks of the Huairoa River.
Six months after the birth of Edmund, his father was given a plot in the tiny village of Taucau. She was located 65 km from Auckland. The family moved to Taucau, where Edmund lived until the age of 15.
The family lived modestly. Mom worked as a teacher, and my father was engaged in beekeeping. As a child, Edmund was a frail and shy boy. Instead of walking with the guys, he spent time reading books. Already in childhood, Edmund dreamed of traveling passionately.
At the age of 12, he took up boxing. This helped to get in good physical shape and develop endurance, which later came in handy during long ascents.
At the age of 16, he became interested in skiing. Every year Edmund traveled as part of the school team to competitions that took place in the Tangariro National Park. It was thanks to these trips that he developed a love for mountains, snow, ice. Gradually he became interested in mountaineering.
Hillary made his first ascent at the age of 20. At the time, he was already a college student at the University of Auckland. Further plans for the conquest of the mountains were interrupted by the Second World War.
In 1941, Edmund wanted to join the ranks of the New Zealand army, but he soon abandoned his intention for religious reasons. Two years later, compulsory military service was introduced, and Edmund found himself in the New Zealand Air Force. He was a navigator on the famous Catalina seaplane. In 1945 he was wounded and returned home.
Climber career
In 1951, Hillary visited the Himalayas for the first time as part of a British group. Then he was already 31 years old. Before the legendary ascent of Everest, he participated in two expeditions, which were of an introductory nature. He then managed to conquer several Himalayan peaks, but their height was not so significant. Everest was not conquered, but this only provoked and forced Hillary to thoroughly prepare for a difficult goal.
The conquest of Everest is the cherished dream of many climbers. And Edmund was no exception. After unsuccessful ascents, he revised his training plan. For about a year, Edmund has been diligently preparing for the legendary conquest of Everest.
In May 1953, he went on another expedition to the "top of the world." The road to the peak was difficult. The expedition waited several days for the strong wind to calm down. Many of the participants were running out of strength. Then two people decided to climb to the top - Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzig Norgay. According to them, the climb was exhausting. The climbers stayed at the peak for only 15 minutes. During this time, Edmund hoisted the British cross, and Tenzig buried chocolate and sweets in the snow - an offering to the gods, according to his religion, is at the top.
After conquering the highest peak in the world, Edmund's life turned upside down. He was honored not only at home, but also in many countries. Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the title of Knights of the British Empire on Edmund and Tenzig.
Subsequently, one of the sheer cliffs at the top of Everest was named the Hillary Step. He became an example for avid travelers and the pride of New Zealanders. At home, a large number of various souvenirs with his image and even banknotes were issued. During his lifetime, in 2003, Hillary was erected a monument near Mount Cook.
Edmund passed the copper pipe test with dignity. He helped many charitable organizations, poor people from Nepal, advocated for the preservation of the environment. Edmund at his own expense erected several schools and hospitals, restored Buddhist monasteries.
At the same time, Hillary did not forget about his favorite mountaineering. He did not stop at the conquest of Everest. Hillary climbed other Himalayan peaks as well. Later he began to look for Bigfoot. Edmund has repeatedly presented very convincing facts of its existence.
He also visited the South Pole, where he studied Antarctica with his characteristic meticulousness. Hillary made it to the North Pole.
Personal life
Edmund Hillary has been married twice. His first wife was the British Louise-Mary Rose. She was also a mountaineer. Edmund met her shortly before the legendary ascent to Everest. Their wedding took place shortly after this momentous event. Three children were born in the marriage: a son and two daughters.
An idyll reigned in the family for a long time. In 1975, it was disrupted by a plane crash that killed Edmund's wife and youngest daughter. After that, he fell into a prolonged depression. His older children helped him cope with her. The son organized a hike along the Ganges. This helped Edmund to take his mind off his grief.
In old age, he married again - to Jun Mulgrew. She was the widow of a friend of his who crashed a plane in Antarctica. Common grief brought them together, and friendly feelings soon grew into something more.
Hillary died on January 11, 2008 in a hospital in Oakland. According to his wishes, relatives scattered the ashes over Hauraki Bay.
