Everest Undone

At 11.30 am, on the 29th May, 1953, the emptiness of Mount Everest's summit was broken for the first time. Sagarmatha, it would seem was finally conquered by Edmund Hillary, a beekeeper from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Nepalese sherpa.

Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay

After so many unsuccessful attempts to reach the peak throughout the years, including the fateful did-they-didn't-they story of Mallory and Irvine; it was Hillary and Norgay who laid claim to one of the worlds greatest achievements.

The British expedition was lead by Colonel John Hunt, along with 14 climbers, 35 Nepalese Sherpas and 350 porters (well, I wouldn't get out of bed with a lesser entourage). As the Chinese-controlled Tibet refused access to Everest, they set out from the Nepal side.

The team reached the South Col at 25,900ft (8,500m) and set up camp. On the 26th May, Hunt sent two climbers, Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans to make the final ascent, but they had to turn back at only a painstaking 300m below the summit. So, 3 days later, Hillary and Norgay got to have their chance. The morning of the ascent, after it took Hillary two hours to thaw his frozen shoes, he and Norgay began their journey.

The pair arrived at a 40ft rock face, which Hillary described, "the most formidable obstacle on the ridge", later to be known as the Hillary Step. At a staggering 29,028ft (8,848m), they both reached the summit. They spent only 15 minutes at the peak, whilst Hillary took out a hand to shake, Norgay grabbed his arms and pounded him on the back. Taking time to look for clues regarding Mallory and Irvine's attempt, they found nothing. Hillary took photographs and left a crucifix on behalf of Hunt and Norgay buried chocolates as an offering to the gods.

On the way down, they met their team-mate George Lowe who had come up with soup for them, Hillary famously quoted "Well, George, we knocked the bastard off!"

Both men received much publicity and fame when they returned. The news reached Great Britain on the 2nd June, the same day as the coronation of Elizabeth II. Hillary and Hunt were knighted by the queen and Norgay received the British Empire Medal.

"Mount Everest, you beat me the first time, but I'll beat you the next time because you've grown all you are going to grow...but I'm still growing!" - Sir Edmund Hillary