10 Facts about Edmund Hillary

Monday, June 5th 2017. | Figures

Find out the details about the famous New Zealand mountaineer on facts about Edmund Hillary. He was born on July 20th, 1919 and died on January 11th, 2008. He was also known as a philanthropist and explorer. The first persons who reached the peak of Mount Everest were Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The latter one was a Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer. The climbers reached the top of the highest mountain on May 29th, 1953. Let us check the complete information about Edmund Hillary below.

Facts about Edmund Hillary 1: expedition

John Hunt was the leader of the British expedition to reach Mount Everest. Hillary was included in the ninth expedition.

Facts about Edmund Hillary 2: mountaineering

Hillary developed his interest of mountaineering since he attended secondary school. His climbing on the summit of Mount Ollivier in 1939 was considered as his first notable climbing.

Facts about Edmund Hillary

Facts about Edmund Hillary 3: the importance of Hillary’s climbing

Hillary’s climbing is very important in mountaineering. There is no need to wonder that he is included in the list of 100 most influential people of the 20th century by Time Magazine.

Facts about Edmund Hillary 4: during the Second World War

During the Second World War, Hillary took part as a navigator for Royal New Zealand Air Force. Check facts about Edmund Barton here.

Edmund Hillary

Facts about Edmund Hillary 5: before Everest expedition

In 1952, Hillary failed to reach the summit of Cho Oyu. At that time, he joined British reconnaissance expedition. It occurred before he joined the Everest expedition in 1953.

Facts about Edmund Hillary 6: South Pole

Besides earning the title as the first person to reach the summit of Everest, he also took the record as the first person who reached South Pole in 1958. Find facts about Edith Stein here.

Edmund Hillary Pic

Facts about Edmund Hillary 7: the Himalayan Trust

The Himalayan Trust was a foundation that Hillary established in Nepal since he wanted to help the Sherpa people.

Facts about Edmund Hillary 8: the total people

The total people involved in Hunt expedition to reach Everest were more than 400 individuals.

Edmund Hillary Image

Facts about Edmund Hillary 9: the successful expedition

Queen Elizabeth knighted Hillary and Hunt due to the successful expedition. Tenzing was awarded by the British Government by a George Medal.

Facts about Edmund Hillary 10: the place of living

Hillary settled on his property located in Auckland City when he was not involved in an expedition. During his retirement, he liked reading science fiction and adventure novels.