Everest Legend Hillary Dies

Sir Edmund Hillary is dead at 88 after suffering a fall. Famous for being the first climber, along with Tenzing Norgay, to reach the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Hillary was also a champion of the Nepalese Sherpas who helped him get there and over the years he built schools and clinics for them.

BBC:

Returning to Everest base camp, he famously greeted another member of the British expedition group with the words: “Well, George, we’ve knocked the bastard off.”

After the ascent, Sir Edmund led a number of expeditions to the South Pole and devoted his life to helping the Sherpas of Nepal’s Khumbu region.

His Himalayan Trust has helped build hospitals, clinics, bridges, airstrips and nearly 30 schools. He was made an honorary Nepalese citizen in 2003.

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achievement.org

Hillary, right, poses with Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who accompanied him to the top of the world.