Many things have changed on earth-coastlines have disappeared, rainforests have been razed, rivers have been re-channelled and mountains have been dynamited. The one feature that has withstood the test of time is Mount Everest, the highest mountain on the planet.
Ever since Everest was confirmed to be the highest point on earth, climbers have dreamt of conquering it. The British were the first to attempt to climb it. After several unsuccessful missions, on May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first mountaineers to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest.
At 8,849 m above sea level, Everest is situated in the Himalayas and lies at the border between Nepal and Tibet. Both Hillary and Norgay were part of British army officer John Hunt’s expedition and reached the highest point on Earth in the morning at 11:30 am on May 29. Norgay was one of the most experienced climbers in Hunt’s team as he had attempted to reach the summit before with a Swiss team. They spent only 15 minutes atop Everest and Hilary clicked some of the most iconic pictures taken atop the peak.
Edmund Hillary and John Hunt were both knighted by Queen Elizabeth and Norgay was awarded the George Medal for the remarkable feat.
Picture Credit : Google
