12 Jan 08
He never got to the top! Norgai did! They had a scrap 20 metres from the top as to who would be there first. Norgai knocked him out, ran up, shouted to his god (got no reply, of course) and planted the flag - cos it was the only one he was given,
He ran down 20m - dragged up the semi-co Eddie, and said 'hey, you made it.'
So my gran told me. She was at the top videoing them arrive! 😛
12 Jan 08
Originally posted by MontyMooseHis first comment to the press, once they had returned
There will be much written about him in the next few weeks and deservedly so. What Hillary and Norgay did when they stood on top of Mt Everest is one of the great feats of skill, determination, and the capability of the human body. Take a few minutes and read some of the accounts of that first summit to the top of the world. Try to put yourself in their p ...[text shortened]... etting voted off seem so pale, puny, and fake.
God bless you and rest in peace Sir Hillary.
to base camp was, "We took the b@$&*#d."
13 Jan 08
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Originally posted by Iron MonkeySir Ed as he's been affectionately known here in NZ was a humble adventuring ambassador for this country. In person even as an old man he had a fantastic persona and youthful eyes. I got to chat with him a couple of times in Auckland and he really is exceptional.. exuding humble greatness.
apparently when someone asked him that, he replied 'Because it was there'.
His behind the scenes work (never a words said) lead to 63 schools being built in his beloved Nepal leading to thousands of ppl being educated. He was never a political man but during his mid eighties labour party appointed 5yrs as Indian Ambassador became loved and revered there.
Tenzing never said he was first but shut up locally when a local journo misstated that Norgay was ahead.. he later corrected it and agreed that ED was leading at the summit.. Ed didn't care about it he always said that they shared leading in turn about and he just happened to be a leading when they reached the summit.
Yes they went up because it was there but he also said of Everest
"We didn't conquer the mountain, it just relented a bit."
Sir Ed as you relented this week, you spirit will never be conquered,.
You were peerless and deserve every tear shed.. the state funeral next Tuesday will be huge.
13 Jan 08
Originally posted by mikelomTenzing Norgay has said it many times how they shared the lead and it was joint effort but Ed was on top a step or so ahead. During the month of controversy when Tenzing let the press run.. Ed said nothing, prefering to let the press believe what they like.. Tenzing later apologised for not correcting the press earlier.
Norgay or Norgai was there first!! No doubt!! He is more humble than Chubby Brown!
The controversy was typically press fuelled with distortions of little things but when you read accounts Tenzing was also only included in the final push only because Hunt didn't want two kiwis making the summit .. George Lowe was favoured to go with Ed to the top by the team leaders.
Hilary even tied the British flag to Tenzings pick before they went on the push to the top (photos of that confirm it.)
The summit was flat and Ed knelt making it look like Tenzing was higher than him. The camera (on self timer) was put on a rock at an angle. it just didn't matter and Ed always hated the fuss.
The New York Times in honouring Ed with it's Obit says of the matter:
Colonel Hunt declared, “They reached it together, as a team.”
It was not until 1999, in his (Ed's) book “View from the Summit” (Doubleday), that Sir Edmund broke his silence about which of the two men had reached the peak first. He wrote that it was he, not Mr. Norgay.
“We drew closer together as Tenzing brought in the slack on the rope,” he wrote. “I continued cutting a line of steps upwards. Next moment I had moved onto a flattish exposed area of snow with nothing but space in every direction.” He added, “Tenzing quickly joined me and we looked round in wonder.”
The Norgay family and even the Grandson of Mallory have acknowledged Ed was first.. that's good enough I think to let him rest.
13 Jan 08
Originally posted by Tirau Danvery interesting! thanks! might try to find a copy of Sir Ed's book.
Tenzing Norgay has said it many times how they shared the lead and it was joint effort but Ed was on top a step or so ahead. During the month of controversy when Tenzing let the press run.. Ed said nothing, prefering to let the press believe what they like.. Tenzing later apologised for not correcting the press earlier.
The controversy was typically pres ...[text shortened]... son of Mallory have acknowledged Ed was first.. that's good enough I think to let him rest.
13 Jan 08
Originally posted by Tirau DanObviously a matter close to your heart!
Tenzing Norgay has said it many times how they shared the lead and it was joint effort but Ed was on top a step or so ahead. During the month of controversy when Tenzing let the press run.. Ed said nothing, prefering to let the press believe what they like.. Tenzing later apologised for not correcting the press earlier.
The controversy was typically pres ...[text shortened]... son of Mallory have acknowledged Ed was first.. that's good enough I think to let him rest.
Don't believe all you see in internet posts, and don't take reference as serious!
Just one Q though! As a NZ'ander, why did he want to post the Union Jack at the top? 😛