Edmund Hillary

Sir Edmund Percival Hillary, KG, ONZ, KBE ({{Born|1919|7|20|region=NZ}}) is a New Zealand mountaineer and explorer, most famous for the first successful climb of Mount Everest. He reached the 29,035-foot (8850 m) summit on {{event|1953|5|29|region=NP|category=first ascent}} with Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa. After descending, legend has it the ex-apiarist (beekeeper) said he and Tenzing had 'knocked the bastard off', a phrase which has found its way into colloquial New Zealand English.

External links

• NZEdge bio
• NZ Geographic profile
• Himalayan Trust UK site
• American Himalayan Foundation
• Academy of Achievement entry