'Life has given me an amazing variety of
experiences. Perhaps nothing can surpass the opportunity of being first in
the world to reach the summit of Mt Everest; to be first
to drive a tractor overland to the South Pole or to make the first journey
by jet boats up the mighty Ganges River to its source in the
Himalayas. But there have been many other lesser adventures. I have been
seriously afraid at times but have used my fear as a stimulating
factor rather than allowing it to paralyse me. My abilities have not
been outstanding, but I have had sufficient strength and determination
to meet my challenges and have usually managed to succeed with them. I
have had many exciting moments, too, that have not been life-threatening -
even lecturing to several thousand people can be rather terrifying and I
have done this many times.'
Sir Edmund Hillary (1999) View from the Summit. Doubleday: Great Britain.
See the relevant sections from the Hillary - Nothing Venture, Nothing Win CD.
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Early days:
1919 - 1935
Family, school, reading and movies, outdoor dreaming.
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Bush and mountains:
1935 - 1950
Beekeeping with father Percy Hillary and brother Rex.
Tramping and climbing in New Zealand.
Mentors, friends and companions, the importance of team work.
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Top of the world:
1951 - 1953
Climbing in the Himalayas and the ascent of Everest.
Meeting Sherpa people for the first time.
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Bottom of the world:
1956 - 1958
Antarctica, Scott base and tractors to the South Pole.
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Back to the Himalayas:
1960 ->
High altitude science, the hunt for the yeti and the first school.
Schoolhouse in the Clouds - The work of the Himalayan Trust with the
Sherpa people - schools, hospitals, bridges, water supplies,
airstrips, monastery repairs.
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New family adventures:
1954 - 1975
Marriage to Louise Rose.
Peter, Sarah and Belinda born.
Family trips in New Zealand, USA and Nepal.
Deaths of Louise and Belinda
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Starting again:
1977 ->
Jet boating up the River Ganges
Outdoor pursuits in New Zealand, India and the Pacific.
New Zealand High Commissioner to India.
Marriage to June Mulgrew.
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Our fragile planet:
Today
Environmental work - Sagarmatha National Park, World Wildlife Fund.
Continuing commitment to projects with the Sherpa people.
This material has been produced by UNITEC Institute of Technology
under contract to the Ministry of Education.
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