I believe I read that he has no recollection of telling a reporter that he climbed Everest, “because it’s there,” but there it was, and there it still is. Never-the-less Sir. Ed is gone:
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century’s greatest adventurers, has died, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Friday. He was 88.
The gangling New Zealander devoted much of his life to aiding the mountain people of Nepal and took his fame in stride, preferring to be called “Ed” and considering himself just an ordinary beekeeper.
“Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality, he was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only ’knocked off’ Everest but lived a life of determination, humility, and generosity,” Clark said in a statement.“The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived,” she said.
Hillary’s life was marked by grand achievements, high adventure, discovery, excitement — and by his personal humility. Humble to the point that he only admitted being the first man atop Everest long after the death of climbing companion Norgay.
-M
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Cheers Ed… R.I.P. my friend and thanks for the post Mike.
Sir Edmund set a fine example of Mountaineering skill and etiquette in the spirit of exploration. It is a stark contrast to the droves of tourists littering the mountain today, dependent on technology and the efforts of others to drag their rich asses to the top.
Sir Ed’s life stood as an example of all that was good and noble about mountaineering and mountaineers. Ed’s passing should be marked by a year’s worth of “cheers” and raised pint-glasses and flasks.
Belay off Sir Ed, and rest well.
SB
It was George Mallory who is credited with the phrase “Because it’s there.” In 1923 he was on a fund-raising lecture tour of the US. Tired of having to constantly justify his quest for Everest’s summit, he used the phrase in response to a NY Times reporter’s question. He meant only to annoy the reporter, and was surprised at the public’s response to his unintentionally revealing statement.
“Because it’s there,” originally intended to mean nothing, is as good a justification as any for such perfectly irrational pursuits such as those popular among the Bacon Strippers.
Check out his cane. Even at the end of his life, he appreciated quality gear.
GBG