Sir Edmund Hillary dead at 88

**MrElectricity** · 12-01-08, 06:01 AM

Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb the world's highest mountain Mount Everest, died early this morning at the age of 88.
Hillary, who with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of the 8,848-metre Himalayan mountain on 29th May 1953, had been in increasingly frail health in recent years.
Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities.
Hillary's work later in his life to support development for the Sherpa people of the Himalayas, building schools and hospitals was an unknown triumph.
His lifetime's humanitarian work there is of huge significance and lasting benefit.
News of the success of the British-led expedition to Everest was announced to the public on the day of Queen Elizabeth's coronation on June 2.
After Everest, Hillary embarked on another great adventure in 1957, establishing Scott Base in Antarctica and leading the first vehicles overland to the South Pole on January 3, 1958.
The legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary will live on. His exploits continue to inspire new generations of New Zealanders, as they have for more than half a century already.
Unlike many climbers, Sir Edmund had said he had no desire to have his remains left on a mountain when he died. He wanted his ashes scattered on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.

**Micksxboxmods** · 12-01-08, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by MrElectricity

Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb the world's highest mountain Mount Everest, died early this morning at the age of 88.
Hillary, who with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of the 8,848-metre Himalayan mountain on 29th May 1953, had been in increasingly frail health in recent years.
Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities.
Hillary's work later in his life to support development for the Sherpa people of the Himalayas, building schools and hospitals was an unknown triumph.
His lifetime's humanitarian work there is of huge significance and lasting benefit.
News of the success of the British-led expedition to Everest was announced to the public on the day of Queen Elizabeth's coronation on June 2.
After Everest, Hillary embarked on another great adventure in 1957, establishing Scott Base in Antarctica and leading the first vehicles overland to the South Pole on January 3, 1958.
The legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary will live on. His exploits continue to inspire new generations of New Zealanders, as they have for more than half a century already.
Unlike many climbers, Sir Edmund had said he had no desire to have his remains left on a mountain when he died. He wanted his ashes scattered on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.

what a bummer, RIP Sir Edmund Hillary