Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay achieved history on May 29, 1953, as the first climbers to successfully summit Mount Everest.
Hillary and Norgay were part of the 1953 British Mount Everest Expedition led by Sir John Hunt. Norgay, a Nepalese-Indian Sherpa mountaineer, partnered with Hillary, a New Zealand explorer, for this monumental journey.
The duo began their final ascent early on May 29, reaching the South Summit by 9 AM. Along the way, they overcame significant obstacles, including the 400-foot rock ridge, the East Face, the Southwest Face, and the now-famous Hillary Step. At 11:30 AM, they stood together at the summit of the world’s highest peak.
Following their historic achievement, Hillary and Norgay parted ways and never attempted Everest together again.
Their success not only inspired generations of climbers but also fostered support for the people of Nepal. Hillary and his wife, Louise, founded the Himalayan Trust, which contributed significantly to the region by building schools, hospitals, and airstrips. Similarly, Norgay's family established the Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Foundation, dedicated to empowering the Sherpa community.