Sir Edmund Hillary Died January 11, 2008 (aged 88)

[venus]

An amazing man...

Tributes continue to flow for Everest climber Sir Edmund Hillary, who has died in New Zealand at the age of 88. The cause of Sir Edmund's death in an Auckland hospital was not announced, but he had been ill for some time and New Zealand media are reporting that he had been suffering pneumonia.
Australian mountaineer Lincoln Hall, who survived after being left for dead on Mount Everest two years ago, says Sir Edmund's legacy will live on.
"Edmund Hillary is immortal, really," he said.
"The legacy left behind is not just achieving one of those great feats of exploration and human endeavour, but the contribution he's made to altruistic work in developing countries sets an example that no one, I think, can better anywhere."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Hillary

[Ric]

A great man, he has definitely stamped his mark on the history of the 20th century.

[Omaroo]

Rest well Sir.

[xelasnave]

I like his effort of driving some farm tractors to the South Pole as that would have to be one of the most original ideas one could come up with...

AND it seems he used his fame to establish many wonderful projects to help other humans... not often we witness a man become a ledgend in his own life time...

rest in peace.

alex

[CoombellKid]

I remember him visiting our school when I was a kid.

RIP Sir Edmund Hillary

regards,CS

[Bassnut]

There was some serious argy bargy about who actually stepped on the summit 1st tho, got very nasty, but we will never know, and it doesnt matter, one of the many 1sts for New Zealanders.

[stephend]

George Mallory and Andrew Irvine died near the summit in 1924. Whether they were going up or down when they slipped is not known. Mallory's body was found in the 1990's. His camera, which might still contain a viable frozen film featuring pictures from the summit, was not found.

[goober]

Fascinating and amazing man. First man to stand on Everest, and both South and North poles. His devotion to the families of the Sherpas post-Everest is noteworthy.

[cahullian]

Tenzing said Hillary was the first to reach the summit. His greatest work was with hospitals and school in napal. The world is a much sadder place without the great man walking upon it.

Gazz

[space oddity]

A sad loss. He devoted much time, energy and effort in setting up schools etc in the Khumbu region and was revered by the locals:thumbsup:. As for the question of who set foot on the top of Everest first, this question is specifically answered in his book, probably in response to pressure from the media. If you read the book, he seems pretty matter-of-fact about the answer. The book is good reading and copies are not that difficult to find(I have one sitting around in one of my junk rooms.)I will have to leave you in suspense as to the answer:whistle:.PM if you really must know.

R.I.P

[leon]

Although he is not with us, his life will be celebrated through the many gifts of kindness he has left behind, and will be dearly remembered.

Leon