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Conqueror of Everest breathes his lastFiled Under: Mount Everest, Mountaineer, New Zealand, Sir Edmund Hillary

Born in Auckland on July 20, 1919, Hillary led an uneventful life until he achieved his Everest triumph at the age of 33.

New Zealand’s Sir Edmund Hillary, who along with Nepal’s Tenzing Norgay Sherpa became the first to conquer Mount Everest, died in hospital on Friday. He was 88.
New Zealand flags flew at half mast at Scott Base in Antarctica, mourning the loss of one of the greatest adventurers of the 20th century.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Helen Clark paid tribute to Hillary, calling him a “legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived.”
Hillary scaled the world’s highest mountain in 1953, telling companions after the climb: “We knocked the bastard off”. In 1958, he was one of five to first reach the South Pole by vehicle. The cause of Hillary’s death was not announced, but he had been ill for some time. Radio New Zealand said he died at Auckland City Hospital on Friday morning.
Born in Auckland on July 20, 1919, Hillary led an uneventful life until he achieved his Everest triumph at the age of 33.
Hillary was chosen by British expedition leader John Hunt to make the final assault on Everest because of his experience in the Himalayas and immense energy and strength.
Sherpa Tenzing was chosen as his climbing partner and the two set off on the south peak of the infamous South Col.
Encumbered by clothing and oxygen equipment, they inched ahead until they reached the biggest on the final ridge, a 13 metre rock now known as the Hillary Step.
Hillary “jammed” his way up a narrow crack up the rock using all his strength and then hauled Tenzing up. At 11.30 am they became the first to step onto the Everest summit.

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